Helldivers 2's GameGuard cheat policing "wasn't as effective as it could have been", cue a switch to Easy Anti-Cheat as part of a crackdown on cheat mods

"Some non-malicious cosmetic mods" may need updates as a result

Helldivers 2, a game that still appears to be missing in action from Steam here in the UK, is switching anti-cheat software. Developers Arrowhead are keen to tighten up security and crack down on the use of cheat mods that can influence the bug-slaying experience of folks beyond the person who's installed them.

"The implementation of GameGuard for Helldivers 2 wasn't as effective as it could have been," Arrowhead wrote in a post announcing the shooter's impending switch from that cheat-busting software to Easy Anti-Cheat. "In the end we decided to take another path with EAC. EAC is an industry standard [tech] used in over 200 games, and we believe this will be an effective way to protect the Galactic War and will better protect fair gameplay and the integrity of the game."

You might be familiar with Easy Anti-Cheat from the likes of Elden Ring, Fortnite, Rust, and the recently released Gears of War: E-Day. Arrowhead noted that as part of the switch to the Epic-owned software, they'll be putting "additional security tools in place to enhance its effectiveness and improve game integrity protection".

They're also using this as an opportunity to take aim at cheat mods to the extent that some innocent skin swaps might be caught in the crossfire. "We know mods are part of the DNA of PC gaming and gaming communities as a whole," the studio wrote. "In general, we appreciate the creativity behind cosmetic and non-gameplay mods, which players can enjoy without negatively impacting those who play alongside them. Where we need to improve is how we protect players against modifications that create unfair advantages or negatively impact others, which goes beyond software manipulation to tamper with our game.

"These changes mean that some mods, particularly the types that are affecting the experience of other players, may no longer function. It also means that some non-malicious cosmetic mods may require updates from their individual creators in order to keep working."

Arrowhead invited any folks who think the new anti-cheat is "blocking a non-destructive mod or other software" to reach out to their support staff about it via Zendesk.

It's never nice to see headaches created for modders, but as a game that revolves above all else around multiplayer, I reckon there's as much of a case for such a crackdown in Helldivers 2 as there ever really could be. Doing whatever you want to a sandbox that's only ever going to be occupied by you or your mates is fine, but if you're starting to mess around with strangers rather than just rocking up to a fight dressed as Kazuma Kiryu or Heath Ledger's Joker that's pushing it. Taking a glance at the Nexus, I reckon HUD and UI overhauls might end up becoming a contentious battleground in terms of HD2 mods, given they only apply to the user, but some might be construed as offering an advantage by allowing those players to see more or more easily identify threats.

We'll see how things go, with the anti-cheat switch set to take place today, October 20th.