Steam's Anti-Cheat Tool Sparks Controversy

Steam is now requiring all developers to indicate whether their game uses the divisive Kernel mode anti-cheat system. Read on to learn more about Steam’s changes to its platform and Kernel Mode Anti-cheat.

Steam Unveils New Tool for Describing Anti-Cheat in Games

Kernel Mode Anti-Cheat Must Be Indicated, Steam Says

In a recent update on the Steam News Hub, Valve announced a new feature for developers to disclose the use of anti-cheat systems in their games, aiming to enhance both developer communication and player transparency. This new option, accessible through the "Edit Store Page" section on the Steamworks API, allows developers to specify whether their games employ any form of anti-cheat software.

For client or server-based anti-cheat systems that aren’t kernel-based, this disclosure remains optional. However, games utilizing kernel-mode anti-cheat must clearly indicate its use—a move likely designed to address the growing community concerns about these systems' intrusiveness.

Kernel-mode anti-cheat software, which detects malicious activity by examining processes directly on a player’s device, has been a contentious topic since its introduction. Unlike traditional anti-cheat systems that monitor for suspicious patterns within a game environment, kernel-mode solutions access low-level system data, raising concerns among some players about potential impacts on device performance, security, and privacy.

Valve’s update appears to be a direct response to ongoing feedback from both developers and players. Developers have sought a straightforward method to communicate anti-cheat details to their audience, while players have demanded greater transparency regarding anti-cheat services and any additional software installations required by games.

In an official statement on the Steamworks blog post, Valve explained, "We’ve heard from more and more developers recently that they’re looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game."

This change not only simplifies communication for developers but also reassures players by providing clearer insights into the software practices employed by games on the platform.

Initial Comments are as Divisive as Kernel Mode Anti-Cheat

The announcement of Steam’s latest feature update, which rolled out on October 31, 2024, at 3:09 a.m. CST, is already live and in action. Counter-Strike 2's Steam page, pictured above, now prominently displays its use of Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) to reflect this change.

Community reactions have been largely positive, with many users praising Valve for its "pro-consumer" approach. However, the update’s rollout hasn’t been without its critics. Some community members have pointed out grammar inconsistencies in the field’s display and found Valve’s wording—particularly the use of "old" to describe past games that might update this information—awkward.

In addition, some players have raised practical questions about the feature, such as how anti-cheat labels will handle language translations or what qualifies as "client-side kernel-mode" anti-cheat. PunkBuster, a frequently debated anti-cheat solution, was one notable example. Others have taken the opportunity to discuss the ongoing concerns surrounding kernel-mode anti-cheat, a system still seen by some as overly invasive.

Despite this initial reaction, Valve seems committed to continuing their pro-consumer platform changes, as evidenced by their transparency regarding a recent law passed in California meant to protect consumers and combat false and misleading advertising of digital goods.

Whether this will alleviate the community's apprehension about the continued use of kernel mode anti-cheat remains to be seen.