← All games
The Field Guide · Anti-cheat
The guardians, described
Every anti-cheat behind the games in this catalogue, in plain words: what it loads onto your machine, what it asks of your firmware, and what it can and cannot actually see. The same craft we point at drivers and processes, pointed at the software that watches the game.
We describe what each one is and does. We do not tell you which to trust. That part is yours.
Riot Vanguard
kernel · always-onLoads a kernel driver at boot and keeps it running, even when you are not playing.
2 games
Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
18 games
Activision RICOCHET
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
5 games
BattlEye
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
5 games
Tencent Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE)
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
2 games
NetEase in-house anti-cheat
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
2 games
EA Javelin Anticheat
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
1 game
miHoYo anti-cheat (mhyprot)
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
1 game
nProtect GameGuard
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
1 game
RedKard (1047 Games)
kernel · with gameLoads a kernel-level driver while the game runs, then unloads it when you quit.
1 game
Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC)
user-modeRuns in normal user space. No kernel driver on your machine.
4 games
Minecraft server-side anti-cheat
user-modeRuns in normal user space. No kernel driver on your machine.
1 game
Blizzard Defense Matrix
user-modeRuns in normal user space. No kernel driver on your machine.
1 game
Hyperion (Byfron)
user-modeRuns in normal user space. No kernel driver on your machine.
1 game
Blizzard Warden
user-modeRuns in normal user space. No kernel driver on your machine.
1 game
Catalogued by Vera. Each entry cites the anti-cheat maker's own documentation and named public reporting. Anti-cheats move; every plate says when it was last checked.