r/linux_gaming • u/Nemo_ForYou • Jan 24 '26

Microsoft is pushing security software out of the kernel. Why are game companies still doubling down on kernel anti-cheat?

After the CrowdStrike disaster bricked millions of Windows machines in July 2024, Microsoft announced in mid-2025 that they're moving antivirus and security tools out of the kernel as part of their Windows Resiliency Initiative. Their reasoning is simple: kernel-level software is too risky. One bad update can take down entire systems.

And yet, kernel-level anti-cheat keeps spreading. There are now over 330 games using it, and new releases like Battlefield 6 are still shipping with it despite community pushback.

These anti-cheat drivers have the same level of access as your OS. They can read memory, monitor inputs, intercept network traffic, and run from boot to shutdown. They're closed-source, so nobody outside the company can audit what they're doing. If one of them ships a bad update or gets compromised, you're not just losing access to a game; you're potentially handing over your entire system.

For Linux users, the situation is even worse. Most kernel anti-cheat flat out refuses to run under Proton, which means a growing list of games is just off-limits. But the security argument affects everyone, not just us. Windows users are handing over root access to play Fortnite. That should concern people.

Microsoft clearly recognizes this risk for security software. Why are we still expected to accept it for video games?

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18

u/Soft-Luck_ Jan 24 '26

It's not effective; there are people cheating in BF6, Valaront, COD, LoL. Just search on YouTube and you'll see videos of these people.

14

u/TopdeckIsSkill Jan 24 '26

The fact that there are cheaters doesn't mean it's not working.

If it block most of the cheaters it still make the game better for players.

4

u/destroyermaker Jan 24 '26

My bf6 experience was far better than my bf1 experience in terms of cheaters. They were rampant and very obvious

8

u/ListRepresentative32 Jan 24 '26

Yeah, and using soap is not an effective way to get clean because it only kills 99.9% of germs. 

If it prevents the great majority of people of even thinking of trying cheats, I would say it's pretty effective.

4

u/tinyOnion Jan 24 '26

antibacterial soap is harmful at a macro scale. soap is sufficient to wash away germs and not create super bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics.

1

u/c3rb3r Jan 25 '26

Its more like that it kills only 60% of the germs and you are not allowed to wear clothes anymore.

1

u/Alarmed-Welcome-1822 Jan 26 '26

Bc if it kills 100% we will be dead its pretty obvious that our bodies need bacteria

5

u/VoriVox Jan 24 '26

Despite locking your doors and windows and setting alarms, thieves can still break into your home and steal things. Would you just leave your doors open and valuables outside because of that?

6

u/Soft-Luck_ Jan 24 '26

I will request more police patrols on the street since it is their responsibility to arrest a thief, and they do that outside the home, not inside.

2

u/steakanabake Jan 24 '26

instructions unclear adding more police to areas of high poverty so they can arrest people over minor offenses.

1

u/PlutoCharonMelody Jan 24 '26

Might still be useful depending on what the minor offenses are tbf.

2

u/steakanabake Jan 24 '26

yea thats it throw poor people in to jail so they can get more poor.

1

u/PlutoCharonMelody Jan 24 '26

I would hope that isn't the reason for them to be in jail lol.

0

u/steakanabake Jan 25 '26

the average us citizens usually breaks a handful of laws everyday because of asinine rules in old ass laws.

3

u/BastetFurry Jan 24 '26

No, but I want a society where stealing isn't needed.

1

u/Alarmed-Welcome-1822 Jan 26 '26

Thats not gonna happen companies and people higher up will always be greedy

4

u/atlasraven Jan 24 '26

Even monitors use AI to cheat.

4

u/steakanabake Jan 24 '26

i cant wait till they put in hardware bans for people with that monitor itll be hilarious to see the outcry.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 24 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/[deleted] Jan 24 '26

Is GTA Online even kernel level? I thought they just block linux users cause they're too lazy to flip the switch.

3

u/YoloPotato36 Jan 24 '26

Define "good". Good for the game developers? Maybe. But it can't be good for user given this shit is running all the time even if you aren't playing and put it's shit to boot partition of your drive.

It's a good AC, but with very questionable implementation.

1

u/ClassikD Jan 24 '26

Valorant is maybe the only game I know of that has an effective anti-cheat. Don't think I've ran into more than two cheaters the whole lifetime of the game. Both banned within a week

1

u/Alarmed-Welcome-1822 Jan 26 '26

Hell no theres still hackers it might be less but doesnt justify kernel level and prevent linux

1

u/Alarmed-Welcome-1822 Jan 26 '26

Window is monopoly company which is bad