Activision Targets VPN Abuse in Call of Duty With New RICOCHET Updates

Activision has begun implementing strict measures to address VPN usage through updates introduced by Team RICOCHET in both Black Ops 6 and Warzone.

Why VPNs Are Being Targeted

The crackdown aims to end the misuse of VPN programs while playing Call of Duty. However, this move is not just about preventing players from masking their regions; it specifically targets the heavy abuse by content creators. Many of them use VPNs to connect with less skilled players in other regions, allowing them to appear more skilled during live streams—an unfair practice that has frustrated the broader gaming community.

Official statements clarify that the intention isn’t to impose a complete ban on VPN programs. Instead, Activision plans to allow their use under certain conditions to ensure fairness, while restricting their misuse. This approach aims to preserve fair play without entirely restricting VPN functionality for legitimate use cases.

Enhancements to Detect Violations

To achieve its goals, Activision plans to adjust acceptable latency thresholds so that it can more accurately identify when a player is connected to a server outside their actual region. Additionally, the company will enhance its ability to identify players who join matches only to remain idle and farm experience points to level up accounts unfairly. These improvements are expected to significantly reduce unfair practices within the game.

One significant concern is the potential impact on players with poor internet connections. Those suffering from high latency could be flagged under the new measures, even if they aren’t using VPNs. Unfortunately, while the developer has not provided a clear plan to balance this issue, gradual improvements are likely over time as these changes roll out in Call of Duty games.