Something to look forward to: Anti-cheat tools used by game studios have repeatedly sparked controversy among players. Now, Valve is requiring studios to be transparent, clearly stating when and how their anti-cheat systems will interact with a game's files on a user's device.
If a game includes a client-side, kernel-mode anti-cheat system on the user's PC, Valve notes the game's store page must clearly disclose this feature. Anti-cheat information is now mandatory for new game submissions on Steam, and Valve is contacting developers of existing games to ensure broader compliance.
Valve said developers have been requesting a way to inform players about anti-cheat systems, while players have expressed a desire for more transparency around them. In response, Valve added a new field in the Steam "Edit Store Page" tool, enabling full disclosure of anti-cheat technology.
Steam will provide a pre-populated list of common anti-cheat systems for developers to select from; custom entries are also allowed. Additionally, developers can check two boxes to specify if their anti-cheat systems have "kernel-level integration" and if users need to remove any residual files after uninstalling the game.
Disclosure will not be mandatory if the anti-cheat technology operates exclusively on the game's servers or does not modify kernel-level files on the operating system. However, Valve noted that additional transparency may reassure players regardless, offering potential customers a more positive experience. Information about anti-cheat systems previously located elsewhere on a game's store page must be migrated to the new disclosure field, Valve clarified.
Based on responses to Valve's announcement, the new anti-cheat policy has been largely welcomed by Steam users, who view it as another pro-consumer move. Some are also requesting detailed instructions for manually removing anti-cheat remnants after uninstallation, though Denuvo remains a particularly unpopular topic among gamers.
While anti-cheat tools can improve the multiplayer experience, recent history suggests they can spark controversy. Some developers have implemented anti-cheat software that runs at boot time, prompting backlash in the form of review-bombing campaigns. Additionally, anti-cheat programs can create compatibility issues, especially with devices like the Steam Deck and other less common gaming platforms.
Steam's new policy requires developers to disclose use of kernel level anti-cheat
