EA is determined to keep cheaters at bay with the new FIFA 23. Its senior director of game security and anti-cheat, Elise Murphy, detailed a new in-house developed anti-cheat program to combat PC cheat developers. The anti-cheat program is called EA AntiCheat (EAAC). The software is a kernel-level anti-cheat and anti-tamper solution developed by EA for FIFA 23. Murphy explains that “PC cheat developers have increasingly moved into the kernel, so we need to have kernel-mode protections to ensure fair play and tackle PC cheat developers on an even playing field.” EA describes the EAAC as “absolutely vital” to competitive games like FIFA 23 as the game features crossplay between PC and consoles. Having an anti-cheat program designed for PC will even the playing field between console and PC users.
What is the EAAC?
The EA AntiCheat program is a kernel-level anti-cheat system that prevents third-party cheat software from tampering with game files. Most current third-party cheat software also operates on the kernel level, rendering them invisible from most anti-cheat systems that “live in user-mode”. EA did not go into the details of the cheat program but from what we can surmise from the description, the EAAC scans for files that have been modified by programs other than the game itself. Kernel-level anti-cheat programs run at the operating system to actively monitor software that is accessing specific files. There are significant privacy and security concerns revolving around the EAAC software running on the kernel level given that it can easily access system information. EA has stated that EAAC does not gather data and is limited to monitoring only game-related files and system activities. EA further explains that the game examines files and then encrypts the information and purges the original data. The program also does not inspect browsing history and check non-game-related data. EAAC is only active when FIFA 23 is running. The program can be uninstalled manually but will render FIFA 23 unplayable. EA is not the first to implement a kernel-level anti-cheat program. Riot games use the Vanguard software to protect Valorant. Activision also has a similar program for Call of Duty games.
Next-gen gameplay
Along with the addition of the EAAC, PC players will finally receive a true next-gen experience in FIFA 23. The PC version will now use Hypermotion2 Technology, Women’s club teams along with the aforementioned crossplay with console players. However, not everything is accessible for PC players. FIFA 23’s cross-platform transfer market can only be accessed by PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Stadia users. PC and Nintendo Switch will have their own transfer markets. FIFA 23 will come out on September 30. In the meantime, you can check out the top players for FIFA 23. Also, FIFA 23 will be the last game in the longtime partnership between EA and FIFA. The next soccer sim by FIFA will be launched under a new name, EA Sports FC. On the other side of the fence, FIFA wants to work with a new studio for a future soccer sim.
