Black Ops 7 requires Secure Boot for PC

Developers implement Secure Boot requirement for Black Ops 7 to enhance game integrity.

Black Ops 7 requires Secure Boot to combat cheaters

In a bid to tackle ongoing cheating issues, the developers of Call of Duty will enforce Secure Boot requirements for Black Ops 7 players on PC. This decision was announced during preparations for the upcoming game, starting with updates from Black Ops 6 Season 5. Secure Boot, which prevents unauthorized software from running at startup, blocks many cheating methods by restricting access at a hardware level. Alongside, the use of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 will also be mandated to ensure system integrity. Activision believes this approach will allow their anti-cheat system, RICOCHET, to focus on players who may attempt to cheat in different ways. While Black Ops 7 will require these features, it is noted that Warzone is not expected to adopt similar measures immediately, although future evaluations will occur.

This development points to a growing response to the cheating epidemic in online gaming. By requiring Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, Activision aims to enhance security significantly while taking the fight against hackers to a new level. Importantly, this is not just a defensive move; it signals a broader trend in the gaming industry where hardware-level security measures are becoming standard. As gaming environments grow increasingly competitive, developers may see these solutions as necessary to sustain player trust and engagement. Yet, this could also alienate a segment of players who may find these new requirements technical barriers, potentially sparking public backlash in the gaming community.

Highlights

As players prepare for Black Ops 7, the impact of these changes will shape the future of competitive gaming.