1. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 — HWID Bans Explained
In Black Ops 6, a new wave of HWID bans has emerged, targeting not just accounts but entire computers. According to a recent guide, once your device’s hardware signature is flagged by Activision’s anti-cheat system, simply creating new accounts or switching IPs won’t work—you’re locked out unless major hardware components are replaced.Medium
2. Riot Games’ Stance on HWID Bans
Riot Games continues to view HWID bans as an extreme but necessary measure—used only in severe cases, such as threats or intentional toxic behavior. They’ve outlined that once issued:
- The banned hardware essentially acts as a “shadow ban” across all Riot games.
- Other accounts using that device will be auto-banned upon login.League of Legends Support
3. False Positives Stir Community Outcry
On platforms like Reddit, players have shared distressing stories of unwarranted HWID bans. One example: a Delta Force player reported receiving both a 10-year account ban and a 1-year HWID ban on May 16, 2025—despite low performance stats and clean behavior.Reddit
These cases highlight an important issue: aggressive anti-cheat mechanisms often fail to distinguish between actual cheats and innocent users.
4. Advances in Anti-Cheat: AI & Transformer Models
On the research front, new technology is transforming anti-cheat methods:
- AntiCheatPT_256, a transformer-based AI model, was introduced using labeled CS2 gameplay data. It achieved 89.17% accuracy in detecting cheating patterns, opening doors for automated, data-driven enforcement.arXiv
These systems could reduce reliance on blunt hardware bans by recognizing behavioral anomalies instead.
Summary Table: HWID Landscape 2025
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Black Ops 6 Updates | HWID bans tied to PC hardware; bans survive new accounts or installs. |
| Riot’s Policies | Reserved for severe cases; hardware-linked bans affect any accounts used. |
| Community Concerns | False bans reported; genuine players getting shadowbanned. |
| AI-Powered Anti-Cheat | Transformer models like AntiCheatPT rising as smarter detection tools. |
Final Thoughts
HWID bans remain one of the harshest enforcement methods in gaming—crippling entire devices rather than just accounts. Riot and Activision use them sparingly but effectively, though not without risks of false positives.
Encouragingly, emerging AI-powered systems like transformer-based detectors suggest a shift toward more thoughtful, behavior-based moderation—potentially reducing collateral damage in the future.
