Activision has intensified its efforts against cheat sellers by releasing footage of a lawyer delivering a cease-and-desist order to an alleged cheat distributor in Ohio. This action was targeted at the seller known as Elocarry, who is accused of providing cheats for games such as Call of Duty, Rust, and Apex Legends. Notably, Elocarry was involved in marketing a Black Ops 7 and Warzone cheat package that boasted of being undetectable by Activision’s RICOCHET anti-cheat system, with three-month subscriptions costing up to £79.99.
Activision’s On-Site Intervention
While the cease-and-desist order was officially presented on 22nd August during the Modern Warfare 4 closed beta, the video was only published on Call of Duty’s social media account last Friday. The short clip captures a legal representative arriving at the Ohio residence, meeting a person with a blurred face, and handing over official documents. This approach was remarkably devoid of confrontation, maintaining a professional tone throughout.
Wide-Scale Anti-Cheat Campaign
Activision has since revealed that its initiative against cheat distributors is widespread, having led to over 80 cease-and-desist orders, actions against more than 375 reseller operations, and the complete shutdown of over 30 cheat vendors. The company emphasized the relentless nature of their crackdown, stating that additional legal measures will be pursued for non-compliance.
Implications for Elocarry and Broader Measures
In reaction to the legal notice, Elocarry’s Discord announced a temporary halt on Call of Duty product sales to address the issue internally, although the rest of their operations appear to remain intact. Activision also highlighted advancements in its RICOCHET anti-cheat system, reporting reduced cheat infections, more robust hardware bans, and improved response times during the recent beta, without delving further into specifics.
Modern Warfare 4 Release Schedule
The second beta weekend of Modern Warfare 4 is currently accessible to all players, offering various game modes including multiplayer, a campaign mission, and a Warzone battle royale experience. The initial beta attracted a sizable audience, particularly on platforms like Steam, despite being limited to pre-order customers. Modern Warfare 4 is set to debut on 23rd October, available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2, featuring a total of 12 6v6 multiplayer maps, expanding from the four maps in the beta.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.