If you’ve played any modern competitive title, you’ll likely have stumbled upon someone cheating or using a nefarious exploit to gain the upper hand. In fact, it’s not even a modern problem – this goes back to the origins of multiplayer-focused games, period.
In a new report headlined by PlaySafe ID, it has been revealed that a staggering 80% of gamers (representative per the report) have come across a cheater in an online game. This has led to a whopping 42% of players considering quitting their game because of the influx of cheaters.
Some games are worse than others, but the chief concern here is that this is a global problem that’s plaguing gamers everywhere.
‘It’s a Serious Issue’
Last month, I covered the introduction of PlaySafe ID, an organization determined to make an otherworldly dent in the mass of cheaters finding their way into games like Escape from Tarkov, Rainbow Six Siege, and Call of Duty.
The same organization has now fronted a report looking into the state of cheating across the global games industry.
In a survey targeting more than 2,000 gamers across the United States and the United Kingdom, a series of questions was asked that turned up damning results.
Only 20% of gamers reported never having met a cheater online. From the slew of those impacted by cheaters, 55% admitted that they’ve either stopped or reduced how much they spend on microtransactions or in-game purchases because they don’t trust the game.
Additionally, 42% of gamers have been on the verge of quitting a game entirely and never looking back because of cheaters. That’s certainly the case for Escape from Tarkov players. Despite the developer banning thousands of cheaters every few weeks, the game’s sentiment is at an all-time low.
It was recently discovered that cheaters had made their way into the Battlefield 6 beta, which had been live for mere hours at the time.
In an unexpected stat, 71% of those surveyed revealed they’d be happy verifying their identity with an accredited verification company, which is the world that PlaySafe ID wants to build. This accountability would see to it that cheaters don’t go unidentified.
Worryingly, 62% of gamers admitted to having felt tempted to cheat.
The full report was published on the PlaySafe ID site, but it’s a damning thing that might have you feeling concerned about multiplayer gaming.
Let me know if you’ve brushed up against cheaters recently on the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that MrBeast has joined Kick to promote TeamWater
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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