Riot Games is rolling out a major update to its controversial Vanguard anti-cheat software, transitioning it to an "on-demand" operational model. This means the system will no longer automatically launch with your computer, but instead will activate only when a game is initiated and will shut down once the gaming session concludes. This development marks a significant shift from its previous design, which sparked widespread debate among players regarding privacy and system intrusion.
Riot Games Implements "On-Demand" Vanguard Anti-Cheat, Enhancing User Control and Privacy
In a move that promises to significantly improve user experience, Riot Games, the developer behind popular titles like Valorant and League of Legends, has announced a crucial update to its Vanguard anti-cheat system. Effective today, Vanguard will operate "on-demand," activating only during gameplay and deactivating once the game is closed. This change directly addresses long-standing concerns from the gaming community regarding the anti-cheat's previous model, which saw it launch with the PC and run continuously in the background.
Originally introduced in 2020, Vanguard’s kernel-mode architecture drew criticism for its deep-level access to users' systems and its constant background presence. While other titles utilize similar kernel-mode anti-cheat solutions, such as Genshin Impact and Call of Duty, their systems typically run only when the game is active. Riot’s new approach brings Vanguard in line with this industry standard, offering greater transparency and control to its player base.
Phillip Koskinas, Riot's anti-cheat chief, detailed the update in a recent announcement, explaining that the transition to "on-demand" sessions will be supported by "sufficiently secured PC devices." Approximately 35% of Riot's current player base already meets the necessary criteria for this new "Pre-Check" feature, allowing them immediate access to the on-demand option following the update.
For the majority of other players, activating the new on-demand mode will require specific system configurations. Users will need to be running Windows 11 25H2 or a newer version, with UEFI Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, VBS, HVCI, and IOMMU all enabled. While this might involve navigating BIOS settings, Riot assures players that the setup process is manageable, albeit requiring some technical adjustments.
However, for about 3% of Riot's player community using older hardware, the "on-demand" feature will not be available until hardware upgrades are made. Despite this, Riot confirms that Vanguard will continue to function in its existing manner for these users, with no immediate requirement for them to alter their systems. The company emphasizes a preference for incentives over mandatory changes, highlighting their willingness to wait for the broader hardware ecosystem to evolve.
Koskinas elaborated that the delay in implementing this feature was due to the absence of adequate built-in security features within Windows and PC hardware until recently. He praised the collaboration with the Xbox OS Security Team at Microsoft, which led to native improvements in the Windows kernel, ultimately enabling the development of Vanguard’s on-demand mode. Looking ahead, Koskinas reaffirmed Riot’s commitment to advancing its anti-cheat technologies in response to increasingly sophisticated botting and AI threats, ensuring a fair and secure gaming environment while striving to minimize user friction.
The shift to an on-demand anti-cheat system is a commendable step by Riot Games towards fostering greater trust and flexibility within its player community. By addressing concerns over privacy and system intrusion, Riot not only enhances user experience but also sets a precedent for how game developers can balance robust security measures with respect for player autonomy. This update reflects a maturing approach to game security, acknowledging that an effective anti-cheat solution needn't be perpetually intrusive. Moving forward, this model could inspire other developers to adopt more user-friendly anti-cheat practices, ultimately benefiting the entire gaming ecosystem.
