Activision Cracking Down on Call of Duty VPN Users

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent in the Call of Duty universe, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief and vindication upon hearing about Activision’s crackdown on VPN abuse in Black Ops 6 and Warzone. For years, I’ve watched streamers seemingly effortlessly dominate matches in regions with less competitive players, thanks to the convenience of VPNs. It was almost as if they had a secret weapon that made the game unfair for the rest of us.

Activision’s Team RICOCHET has recently implemented updates on Black Ops 6 and Warzone aimed at tackling account boosting and users employing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). For quite some time, gamers across the globe have raised concerns about streamers allegedly exploiting ‘VPN-filled lobbies’ to capture more impressive gameplay footage in regions with a less skilled player base.

In the most recent updates, RICOCHET has clarified its approach to addressing this particular practice. Although they’re not eliminating the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) entirely, they are taking measures to reduce instances of VPN misuse.

Wherever You Will Go

For years, I’ve found myself utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while immersed in the thrilling world of Call of Duty. The primary reason for this is to escape the intensely competitive regions such as the UK, North America, and certain parts of Europe. It eventually got to the stage where some VPN providers were specifically targeting Call of Duty enthusiasts like myself, aiming to help us dodge ‘tougher gaming groups’.

Recently, I’ve been thrilled to learn that my favorite team, Team RICOCHET (alongside Treyarch), have rolled out two fresh updates! These changes are now live in the game.

Enhanced AFK detections to battle against account boosting
Adjusting ping thresholds to require players to play matches in their region to cut down on VPN abuse

If your internet connection is poor, the recent modification could affect you, irrespective of whether a VPN is in use or not. A concern frequently expressed by users about Activision is the high number of players engaging in the practice known as ‘2 boxing’.

So far, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has managed to avoid major cheating problems, suggesting that Team RICOCHET is doing something right. However, in contrast to Modern Warfare III’s later stages where cheaters were rampant, especially on the Ranked Play platform, we might see similar issues surface as Black Ops 6 introduces Ranked Play in the near future.

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