Helldivers 2’s Technical Director Responds to Anti-Cheat Worries: A Closer Look

Hello, tech enthusiasts! I’m Peter Lindgren, the Technical Director of Helldivers 2 at Arrowhead. With my extensive experience in game development, I’m here to address the concerns and confusion surrounding the choice of Anti-Cheat software in our upcoming game. Let’s dive right into the pressing questions:

Is GameGuard a kernel-level/ administrator-privilege anti-cheat?

Yes, indeed! GameGuard operates at the “kernel-level,” also known as a rootkit, just like many other popular anti-cheat systems. While some anti-cheat systems can run in “user-mode,” they are generally less effective and more prone to being cracked quickly, resulting in widespread cheating.

Will GameGuard remain on my system after uninstalling Helldivers 2?

Rest assured, GameGuard is removed simultaneously with the game’s uninstallation. You can easily spot the installer and uninstaller for GameGuard included with the game in /tools/GGSetup.exe and /tools/gguninst.exe.

What about privacy concerns? Does GameGuard collect sensitive information?

No need to worry! GameGuard does not collect any personally identifiable information (PII). Doing so would not only be a GDPR and/or ADPPA nightmare but also against our commitment to compliance. On a technical note, GameGuard scans running processes (applications) to detect malicious software and prevent it from manipulating the game client.

Will GameGuard affect my PC’s performance?

Fear not! GameGuard is only active while the game is running. After extensive testing, we have not observed any significant performance degradation on our developer and QA workstations.

Now, let’s address the big question:

Why do we need Anti-Cheat in Helldivers 2, a co-op/PvE game?

This is an excellent question with two interconnected points to consider:

Firstly, we want everyone to have an enjoyable experience playing Helldivers 2, whether with friends, ex-friends, or random players. Cheating has been known to create a negative impact on players’ willingness to engage, especially with random individuals.

Allow me to share an anecdote from Helldivers 1: When we initially released it on PC without an anti-cheat system, we encountered a cheat that granted 9999 research samples. Unfortunately, non-cheating players in the same mission were also affected by this cheat. Their progression was ruined through no fault of their own. While we managed to address many of these issues reactively, it required significant effort.

In Helldivers 2, we aim to be more proactive by implementing anti-cheat measures. Although the game also employs a peer-to-peer networking model like its predecessor, we strive to ensure that everyone can enjoy the intended experience.

Secondly, we have the Galactic War, a massive metagame in the cloud where all players and game clients participate. While we have other safeguards in place, a cracked game client could potentially disrupt the Galactic War, leading to a subpar experience for all.

It’s important to note that on an open platform like PC, it’s impossible to completely eradicate cheating. Eventually, someone with the necessary skills, dedication, and resources will find a way. The purpose of anti-cheat measures is to make cheating more difficult and time-consuming. Rest assured, we will closely monitor any issues that may arise upon release.

So gear up and get ready for an exciting battle on the horizon! See you on the battlefield!