Commanders,
We know that many of you have expressed concerns about a newly surfaced type of cheat and rigged battles in World of Tanks. While we regularly ban players for using cheats (illegal mods), this violation of the Fair Play Policy has sparked significant community discussion.
We recognize that our communication on this front could have been clearer, and that silence may have caused frustration. However, it was intentional, as disclosing too much too soon could give cheaters and riggers insight into our detection methods. We understand that players are concerned about the integrity of the game and the competitive balance being compromised, but rest assured, we are actively tackling the issue and working hard to restore fairness.
It’s a delicate line to walk—providing too much information about our detection systems could help cheaters and riggers find ways to avoid being caught. However, we want to reassure you that we are constantly improving our systems, and action is being taken to protect fair play.
Recent Actions
In our latest enforcement wave on September 13, 2024:
- 623 players were permanently banned globally for using the new type of cheat.
- 1442 players were permanently banned globally for rigging.
These actions are just the beginning. We are fully committed to identifying and banning cheaters, and we will continue to expand our detection methods to tackle this issue head-on. Cheating and rigging remain a priority, and no violation will go unnoticed. While the numbers communicated in this wave represent a small fraction of the overall player base, they also represent just a fraction of the cheaters.
More bans are coming for those not yet caught, and we will continue to take decisive action against anyone undermining the integrity of the game.
No Cheat is Undetectable—Contrary to What Cheat Creators Advertise
Despite what some cheat creators advertise, there are no undetectable cheats. Cheat developers promote their products without taking any responsibility for the fact that your account will get banned eventually. Our detection systems are constantly evolving, and we are always improving our methods to ensure that no suspicious behavior slips through the cracks.
There may be a delay between the appearance of a new cheat and the development of our detection algorithm, as it is a constant arms race. However, we have consistently found ways to detect cheats, and their users have been banned. Additionally, we often introduce a delay between the moment of detection and the actual ban. This significantly hinders cheat creators from adapting to our detection methods, as they don’t receive immediate feedback from the anti-cheat system when creating or modifying a cheat. As a result, we organize ban waves—banning all players caught cheating over a specific period rather than immediately.
What Are Rigged Battles?
ExpandRigged battles occur when players use tools, mods, or scripts—or collude with others—to manipulate the outcome of a match for personal gain. This is a severe violation of our Terms of Service and undermines the competitive integrity of the game. Rigging results in permanent bans, with no prior warning.
Why We Don’t Name and Shame Players
We understand that some players feel we should publicize the names of those caught cheating or rigging, but we strictly adhere to GDPR regulations and respect player privacy. Naming and shaming individuals is not only against our policy, but it also violates data protection laws, which protect everyone’s personal information. We can assure you, though, that all offenders face real and serious consequences, even if their identities remain private.
While you may not always receive a follow-up or additional information about the action taken, we want to assure you that every report is taken seriously. Even if we don’t provide direct feedback, we investigate all reports thoroughly and take appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the game.
Continued Improvement in Detection
We are continuously improving our anti-cheat measures to stay ahead of evolving tactics. Whether it's a widely known cheat or a newly developed exploit, our detection methods are designed to identify suspicious behavior. Don’t risk it—cheating always leads to a ban, no matter how sophisticated the method may seem.
Fair Play is Key
We encourage everyone to stay informed by reviewing our Fair Play Policy and understanding the consequences of violating it.
For those who use mods, it's important to ensure that you're only using safe and approved mods. The best way to avoid unnecessary action against your account is by using mods from the official World of Tanks Mod Hub, where all mods are verified and safe to use.
Let’s continue to maintain a fair environment and enjoy the game responsibly.
Roll Out!