Valorant cheaters mad that they're banned from game on release

Olivia Richman Published 03/06/2020

Valorant’s official launch yesterday came with a new agent, a new map and some new game modes. But probably the most satisfying thing about Riot Games’ new first-person shooter being launched was knowing that closed beta cheaters are still banned from the game.

People were frustrated with a few issues and concerns surrounding Valorant’s anti-cheat software, Vanguard. But there was no denying that it was doing its job. It reportedly caught over 10,000 cheaters who were using various hacks, leading to those cheaters who were caught getting banned from the closed beta.

While some people thought that it was too harsh, Riot also decided to implement HWID bans, meaning it wasn’t just a cheater’s account that got banned, but rather their entire computer. This made it impossible for hackers to simply create a new account and start playing Valorant again after a previous account was banned.

Shockingly, many of these cheaters assumed they’d be allowed back on the game once it was officially launched. But Riot employees have decided to start making it clear that anyone with an HWID ban will never be coming back.

most cheaters are realising that the HWID ban has carried over to the full game, and are now upset that they are not unbanned ? you used cheats you get punished thats how it works
— Anti-Cheat Police Department ????️ (@AntiCheatPD) June 2, 2020

One Riot employee even shared a private message where a cheater asked him if they truly weren’t lifting closed beta bans or if it was just a mistake. The Rioter told a cheater that they get “no second chances.”

Sorry, no second chance for cheaters. pic.twitter.com/iNTy1cVSzA
— nicolo (@niiicolo) June 2, 2020

Another Riot employee, Matt Paoletti, came forward to explain that “continual abusers of free cheats” and “pay-to-cheats” will remain HWID banned for an indefinite period.

“To clarify once again – some of those who were only ‘test’ have been spared. We did the best we could to try to be forgiving to low risk cases but if you’re downloading something from ‘unknowncheats’ there’s only so much lenience that can be done without hurting players,” Paoletti explained.

those who tested the tools a couple of times have been spared like @mirageopenguins and I have said, but continual abusers of free cheats and users of pay-to-cheats have remained HWID’d for an indefinite period https://t.co/j4eTJUkXEk
— Matt Paoletti (@RiotK3o) June 2, 2020

After hearing this clarification, some closed beta cheaters decided to try their luck and ask for a second chance. But they were mostly met with people mocking them for cheating and telling them they “knew what they were doing.”

Feels bad i got banned for just using no recoil for like 5 minutes got detected i was rly hyped for lanch since i thaughti would be unbanned but turns that no its not would u help i hited u with a dm
— NoL3git_ (@NoL3git_) June 2, 2020

All over Reddit and Twitter, Valorant players continued to applaud Riot for not letting up on cheaters, which they felt have taken over some similar games including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. They marveled at the idea that cheaters thought they would suddenly be unbanned and able to cheat in Valorant once again without any further consequences. They felt permanently banning cheaters was the only way that those who cheated would face any real consequence for their actions.

Of course, not everyone in the Valorant community was too keen on permabans for closed beta hackers. Some felt that immature teenagers who are just trying to be “edgy” should be given a second chance if they “grow out of cheating.”

So far, Riot has not let up on most of the game’s hackers and cheaters. With Valorant released to the public, Vanguard will most likely be catching a lot more cheaters in the near future.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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