Activision has launched a sweeping wave of permanent account bans targeting players utilizing ArtificialAiming, a long-standing cheat provider, effectively locking them out of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and preventing the creation of new accounts.
The Fallout Among Cheat Users
Video game streamer ItsHapa reported on X last week that users of ArtificialAiming—a service active for over 19 years—were hit by a massive influx of permanent bans. The streamer shared screenshots from private forums where users lamented the loss of their access, with some claiming to have lost accounts dating back nearly four years, complete with hard-earned mastery camos.
“It’s been a long run. [Good game] all,” one user posted. Another added, “Lost both my main accounts today… think I am done with [Call of Duty]…. risk we all took.”
Activision’s Stance on Fair Play
Neil Wood, a spokesperson for Activision, confirmed to TechCrunch that the company executed a broad round of account bans. While Wood declined to disclose the exact number of players affected, he noted that the enforcement action targeted multiple cheat vendors, not just ArtificialAiming.
“Our latest enforcement efforts disrupted operations from multiple cheat vendors, disabling their tools and issuing bans to their users,” Activision stated. “We remain committed to pursuing those who threaten our community — cheaters, cheat makers, and anyone undermining the fair play experience.”
The Escalating War on Cheating
Industry insiders note that while ArtificialAiming has been a significant player in the scene, its tools have faced increasing detection rates. The cat-and-mouse game between developers and cheat makers has reached a fever pitch, with some cheat developers previously claiming to have netted millions of dollars from their operations. In response, game publishers have frequently resorted to lawsuits, with some developers ordered to pay millions in settlements.
To combat this, gaming giants have shifted toward kernel-level anti-cheat technology. Activision introduced its “Ricochet” system in 2021, mirroring strategies used by companies like Riot Games, which implemented its own kernel-level security to monitor unauthorized software running on players’ computers. These enforcement waves have historically impacted hundreds of thousands of players during single campaigns.
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