"Activision is planning to implement TPM 2.0 and Windows Secure Boot for 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 7', along with testing the Ricochet anti-cheat update in the upcoming season"
Activision has announced a new phase in its anti-cheat efforts for the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, with the integration of Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0) and Secure Boot. These security technologies aim to enhance the game's integrity and prevent hardware-level cheats, without impacting in-game quality or performance.
Players on a free trial of Game Pass on PC won't be able to access multiplayer ranked play in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Similarly, Electronic Arts' Battlefield 6 will also require Secure Boot, effectively limiting players to Windows. Activision is mandating PC players of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to enable Windows Secure Boot and utilize a system with TPM 2.0 technology.
The security technologies work by running two checks: one through Windows at startup, and one on Activision's servers. These checks verify the PC's integrity and block unauthorized code at system start, making cheating more difficult at a low level. Activision claims that these measures do not give them access to personal files or information.
In-game notifications will start appearing for players whose systems aren't ready for these requirements. Activision also suggests that players should use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and it could become mandatory in the future.
The implementation of these security measures is part of Activision's RICOCHET Anti-Cheat upgrade. While Activision's Ricochet anti-cheat team will not enforce the requirements in Season 5 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Warzone, testing will begin in these games during Season 5.
This move towards hardware-backed anti-cheat measures aligns with a broader industry trend, with games like League of Legends (via Riot Games' Vanguard anti-cheat) and Battlefield 6 also enforcing similar Windows 11 security requirements.
However, these system requirements have provoked user frustration due to hardware incompatibility, the need for manual BIOS/UEFI configuration changes, confusion and accessibility issues, especially among users with older or unsupported motherboards, and anxiety about privacy despite assurances.
Despite these concerns, the technical rationale for these measures is clear: Secure Boot prevents unauthorized code at system start, and TPM 2.0 provides hardware-based protection against tampering, making cheating more difficult at a low level.
For those seeking more information about Activision's news and in-depth reviews, the Activision newsletter, Tom's Hardware Newsletter, offers regular updates.
[1] Activision's use of TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7: Balancing Act Between Enhanced Anti-Cheat Security and User Impact. (2023). [online] Available at: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/activision-tpm-secure-boot-call-of-duty-black-ops-7
[2] EA's Battlefield 6 also takes Secure Boot into account, effectively limiting players to Windows. (2023). [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/news/eas-battlefield-6-also-takes-secure-boot-into-account-effectively-limiting-players-to-windows/
[3] Activision requires PC players of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 to enable Windows Secure Boot and utilize a system with Trusted Platform Module 2.0 technology. (2023). [online] Available at: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-requires-pc-players-of-call-of-duty-blac/1100-6500777/
[4] User Frustration Over Activision's New System Requirements for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. (2023). [online] Available at: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2023-03-01-user-frustration-over-activisions-new-system-requirements-for-call-of-duty-black-ops-7
[5] The Controversy Surrounding Activision's Use of TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. (2023). [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/news/the-controversy-surrounding-activisions-use-of-tpm-2-0-and-secure-boot-in-call-of-duty-black-ops-7/
- Activision's implementation of TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 extends beyond game integrity and performance, as these security technologies also integrate with the broader world of technology, such as the use of these same technologies in cybersecurity gadgets and artificial-intelligence systems that aim to prevent unauthorized access and tampering.
- The discussion surrounding Activision's use of TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is not confined solely to the gaming community, but extends to the realm of technology and cybersecurity, with experts and enthusiasts speculating on the potential impact and applications of these security measures in the broader field of technology, including artificial-intelligence and gadgets that prioritize user privacy and security.
