Activision has deployed a significant overhaul to its Ricochet anti-cheat architecture alongside the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Season 3, specifically targeting the hardware exploits and account-farming loops that have long frustrated the competitive community. The update, which went live on April 2, introduces more aggressive detection for third-party hardware, such as Cronus Zen and XIM Matrix devices. These tools have become a primary concern for the studio, as they allow players to mimic perfect recoil control and aim assist on platforms where such advantages are unauthorized.
The “Team Ricochet” security group confirmed that this latest iteration of their proprietary software is designed to better identify and mitigate “bad actors” before they can even enter a multiplayer lobby. By expanding device detection, the system can now more effectively flag players utilizing input modification to gain an unfair edge. This move follows a persistent cat-and-mouse game between developers and cheat manufacturers, with Activision shifting toward more proactive, system-level defenses to maintain the integrity of Warzone and standard multiplayer matches.
Beyond hardware detection, the studio is implementing stricter account verification protocols to curb the rise of “burner” accounts. New free-to-play users on PC are now required to link a mobile phone number for SMS two-factor authentication. This barrier is specifically intended to prevent banned players from immediately returning to the game with fresh accounts and to disrupt the automated farming of accounts intended for resale. While currently focused on new PC registrations, Activision plans to expand these requirements to existing accounts in the coming weeks.
This security push arrives at a critical time for the franchise, as Season 3 introduces a heavy rotation of content, including the return of the fan-favorite Plaza map from Black Ops 2 and new weapon drops in the Battle Pass. By combining legal pressure against cheat providers with these technical barriers, Activision is attempting to stabilize the player experience during one of the game’s busiest seasonal windows. Whether these measures will finally provide a lasting solution to the franchise’s cheating woes remains to be seen, but the increased friction for bad actors is a clear signal of the studio’s current priorities.
