In a move towards greater transparency, Valve has announced that games on its Steam platform must now disclose the use of kernel-level anti-cheat systems on their store pages. This decision comes in response to feedback from both developers and players seeking clearer information about the anti-cheat technologies employed in games.
The new policy requires developers to add details about their anti-cheat systems in a dedicated "Anti-Cheat" section on their Steam store pages. While disclosure is mandatory for games utilizing kernel-mode anti-cheat drivers, it remains optional for those employing non-kernel-based solutions. However, Valve encourages all developers to provide this information regardless of the type of anti-cheat used.
This change aims to address concerns raised by players about the lack of transparency regarding additional software installations that come with certain games. It will also help users make more informed decisions about the games they purchase and play.
Valve plans to implement this new requirement for all new game submissions and will be contacting developers of existing games that fall into this category to ensure compliance. The company will be reviewing new game submissions to verify the accuracy of the anti-cheat information provided.
As a result of this update, players can expect to see clear indications of whether a game uses popular anti-cheat solutions such as Activision's Ricochet, Epic Games' Easy Anti-Cheat, Riot Games' Vanguard, Denuvo Anti-Cheat, or BattlEye, among others.
This move is particularly relevant in light of recent events, such as Rockstar's addition of anti-cheat software to Grand Theft Auto V, which rendered GTA Online unplayable on Steam Deck. With the new disclosure requirements, such changes should become more apparent to users before they make a purchase or attempt to play on specific devices.
As this policy rolls out, Steam users can look forward to a more transparent gaming experience, with clearer information about the software that will be installed alongside their favorite games.