September 11, 2025
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Anti-Cheat Crackdown Brings New Detection Systems Activision doubles down on cheaters with upgraded Ricochet protections ahead of launch
As the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 approaches, Activision is making it clear that cheating will not be tolerated. The publisher has announced multiple upgrades to its Ricochet anti-cheat system, ensuring a fairer experience when the game arrives later this year.
🎯 Ricochet Gets Stronger
Ricochet, first introduced in earlier titles, has been constantly evolving to combat cheaters who rely on custom-made tools for unfair advantages. In Black Ops 6, the system used machine learning to speed up detection, leading to 19,000 bans in just one week of Ranked Mode.
Now, for Black Ops 7, Activision says Ricochet will be even tougher, with new systems focused on both detection and prevention.
🔒 In-Game Mitigations
One of the most notable upgrades is the use of in-game mitigations. Instead of waiting until a match is over, Ricochet now disrupts cheaters in real-time by:
- Disabling weapon and vehicle damage
- Collecting data on cheating behavior for future detection
- Permanently banning offenders after identification
This approach both protects fair players during live matches and strengthens the system for long-term enforcement.
🛡️ Hardware-Level Protections
Black Ops 7 will also leverage Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 hardware protections to make it harder for cheat programs to bypass security. Activision emphasized that this ongoing fight requires multiple layers of defense, not just one tool or update.
🧪 Beta Testing & Launch Plans
The Black Ops 7 Beta will include limited Ricochet features to test performance under live conditions. However, Activision confirmed the “full force” of protections will be activated at launch on November 14.
Key dates for players include:
- October 2: Early access for pre-orders
- October 5–8: Open Beta
- November 14: Official launch on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC (including Day One on Xbox Game Pass)
✅ Final Thoughts
Cheating has always been one of the most frustrating issues in online multiplayer, but with Ricochet’s upgrades, Activision is showing its commitment to fair play. Faster detection, live in-game disruptions, and hardware safeguards mean cheaters will have a tougher time than ever in Black Ops 7.
Players can look forward to a smoother and more competitive experience when the game officially launches this fall.