In the midst of Battlefield 6's open beta, a staggering estimate suggests that approximately 80 fraudulent websites rake in a profit of up to $73 million by peddling cheats for the FPS, along with other games.
In the realm of online gaming, a new study has shed light on a concerning trend: the sale of cheats for video games. The annual revenue from 80 identified cheat-selling websites in North America and Europe is estimated to range between £12.8 million and £73.2 million. This figure is derived from the analysis of these websites, where the prices for cheats vary significantly, from £6.63 to £254.28, with subscription models also contributing to the revenue potential [1].
The Allure of Cheats for Players
The study reveals several reasons why players are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on cheats.
- Competitive Edge: Cheats provide a competitive advantage in multiplayer games, enabling players to dominate matches more easily, a factor that can be particularly appealing in games where ranking is crucial, such as ranked matches in Counter-Strike or League of Legends.
- Undetected Cheats: Despite the presence of anti-cheat systems like VACnet and Overwatch, cheats often remain undetected for a significant period. This means players can use cheats for extended periods before being banned, making the cost of cheats a worthwhile investment for some [3].
- Community and Prestige: Some players spend on cheats to gain prestige within their gaming communities or to assert dominance over other players. This can be a form of boasting or a way to prove superiority among peers.
- Economic Incentives: For those who regularly play games where item trading is common, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the ability to quickly acquire rare items can be a significant draw. Cheats can facilitate this by allowing players to bypass the usual time and effort required to acquire valuable in-game assets.
Despite the presence of anti-cheat measures, they do not entirely deter players from spending on cheats due to the perceived benefits and the rise of sophisticated cheating methods. It's important to note that none of the current anti-cheat systems completely prevent cheating, according to the report.
The study did not delve into the specifics of how these cheats work or how they bypass anti-cheat systems. Nor did it consider cheat sites from around the rest of the world.
During the open beta of Battlefield 6, over 330,000 players were blocked by the anti-cheat system [4]. Some paid cheats for Battlefield 6 are reported to bypass the game's anti-cheat protections [5]. However, the study did not specify which specific video games the cheats were for, beyond Battlefield 6.
The article does not provide information on which specific games the cheaters are playing or promote any games free of cheaters. It does, however, promote the best online games to play, but does not guarantee the absence of cheaters in these games.
Intriguingly, the "most locked-in catgirl" VTuber on Twitch could potentially be one of these cheating players, adding another layer to the ongoing debate about the impact of cheating in the gaming community.
[1] [Source] [2] [Source] [3] [Source] [4] [Source] [5] [Source]
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