PUBG Anti-Cheat: 120,000+ Cheaters Banned in Massive Sweep
Krafton is continuing its relentless war on cheaters in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, reinforcing its commitment to fair play with another massive wave of permanent account bans. In the company's weekly anti-cheat report covering the period of October 6th through October 12th, the developer confirmed that a staggering number of accounts were permanently removed from the game for violating the terms of service, primarily through the use of unauthorized third-party software.
This consistent and transparent approach to community management is a core part of the developer's strategy to maintain the competitive integrity of the iconic battle royale. Each week, the PUBG Anti-Cheat Team releases detailed statistics, offering the community insight into the scale of their operations and the effectiveness of their detection methods. These weekly purges routinely remove tens of thousands of malicious accounts, ensuring that legitimate players have a better and fairer experience on the battlegrounds of Erangel, Miramar, and beyond.
The Scale of the Ban Wave: A Deep Dive
During the second week of October, a total of 121,567 accounts were permanently banned from PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. This figure represents a significant victory for fair play and demonstrates the efficacy of Krafton's multi-layered anti-cheat systems. The bans are not arbitrary; they are the result of sophisticated detection methods, machine learning algorithms, and diligent analysis by the dedicated anti-cheat team.
These weekly reports serve a dual purpose. First, they act as a powerful deterrent to would-be cheaters, making it clear that their actions will have swift and permanent consequences. Second, they build trust within the dedicated player base, showing that their in-game reports and feedback are being heard and acted upon. The consistent removal of cheaters is critical for the long-term health of the game, especially in its ranked and competitive modes where a level playing field is paramount.
The Most Common Cheats Being Targeted
The fight against cheating is a complex and ever-evolving battle. Cheaters employ a variety of illegal programs and methods to gain an unfair advantage, but Krafton's systems are designed to identify and neutralize these threats. The bans issued during this period targeted a wide spectrum of violations, with a primary focus on the most disruptive types of cheats.
The most common reasons for these permanent bans include:
- Use of Illegal Aiming Software (Aimbots): These programs automatically lock a player's crosshairs onto an opponent, requiring zero skill to land shots. This is one of the most blatant and frequently detected forms of cheating.
- ESP and Wallhacks: This category of cheat provides the user with information they should not have, such as seeing enemy player outlines through walls, viewing their health status, or knowing their location on the map at all times.
- Illicit Use of Macros and Recoil Scripts: Some players use third-party hardware or software to execute complex actions with a single button press or to completely eliminate weapon recoil, giving them an impossible level of accuracy during firefights.
- Character and Vehicle Modification: Cheats that alter a player's movement speed, allow them to fly, or make vehicles indestructible are also actively targeted and result in immediate, permanent bans.
By focusing on these game-breaking exploits, the anti-cheat team ensures that the core gameplay loop of skill, strategy, and positioning remains the deciding factor in every match.
Krafton's Broader Anti-Cheat Philosophy
The weekly ban notice is just one visible component of a much larger, comprehensive anti-cheat strategy. Krafton employs a proprietary solution known as "Zakynthos," which works in the background to detect and flag suspicious behavior in real-time. This system is constantly being updated to keep pace with the developers of cheat software.
Beyond software solutions, Krafton also issues hardware (HWID) bans. This is a crucial measure that prevents a banned user from simply creating a new free-to-play account and returning to the game on the same PC. By blacklisting the cheater's hardware components, the barrier to re-entry becomes significantly higher, effectively removing the most persistent offenders from the ecosystem.
Furthermore, the in-game reporting system is a vital tool that empowers the community. When a player reports a suspicious opponent, the data is fed into the system for review. This human element, combined with powerful machine learning, creates a robust defense against those looking to ruin the experience for others. Krafton has repeatedly stated that this ongoing battle is a top priority, and the resources dedicated to the Anti-Cheat Team reflect that commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions About PUBG Bans
How does PUBG detect cheaters?
PUBG uses a sophisticated, multi-layered approach. This includes their proprietary anti-cheat program "Zakynthos," advanced machine learning that analyzes gameplay patterns for anomalous behavior, data analysis of player statistics, and, crucially, a review of in-game reports submitted by the community.
Are all bans in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS permanent?
For severe infractions, such as the use of third-party software to cheat (like aimbots or wallhacks), the resulting ban is almost always permanent. Krafton has a zero-tolerance policy for these types of violations. Temporary suspensions may be issued for lesser offenses, such as exploiting minor bugs or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct.
What is the best way to report a suspected cheater?
The most effective method is to use the in-game reporting tool. This can be accessed from the death screen immediately after you've been eliminated or by viewing the replay of the match. This system provides the Anti-Cheat Team with the most direct and useful data for their investigation.