30 Popular Games That Use HWID Bans to Stop Cheaters

Ever wondered why some banned gamers can’t simply create new accounts to continue their mischief? Enter the world of HWID bans, gaming’s digital fingerprinting system that’s changing how developers fight cheating. Unlike traditional bans that block usernames or IP addresses, these hardware-level restrictions are the gaming industry’s nuclear option against rule-breakers.

From battle royale showdowns to competitive esports arenas, major game developers are increasingly turning to HWID bans as their ultimate deterrent. This sophisticated approach targets specific computer components, making it extraordinarily difficult for banned players to circumvent restrictions – even with fresh accounts or reinstalled games.

Fortnite

Epic Games takes a strong stance against cheating in Fortnite through HWID ban enforcement. These bans go beyond blocking IP addresses – they target specific hardware components, making them particularly tough to get around. Players report that these bans stick even after changing IP addresses or reinstalling the game.

Some players have noted getting HWID banned without clear reasons, forcing players to use HWID spoofers, and raising questions about the system’s accuracy. Still, most of the community sees these strict measures as a positive step for fair gameplay.

Call of Duty Series

Activision’s battle against cheaters in Call of Duty: Warzone includes strict HWID bans that block players at the hardware level. These bans stay active even after Windows reinstalls or hard drive formatting. Players hit with HWID bans often report getting shadow banned within a week, limiting their matchmaking options. The multi-tiered ban system shows Activision’s commitment to keeping Warzone’s competitive spirit intact.

Apex Legends

Respawn Entertainment takes a strict stance on cheating in Apex Legends with HWID bans that affect the entire EA account. These bans lock players out of not just Apex, but all Origin games linked to their account.

The fast-paced Arena mode brings more player reports and bans, leading to increased ban activity. Players have noted that HWID bans sometimes come from non-cheating offenses like toxic behavior, sparking discussions about ban severity in the Apex community.

Valorant

Riot Games makes competitive fairness a priority in Valorant through its HWID ban enforcement and Vanguard anti-cheat software. Vanguard works at the kernel level, giving it deep access to detect cheating software. While some players question Vanguard’s system-level access, most agree it helps maintain clean matches.

The community generally backs these strict anti-cheat methods, noting fewer cheaters in ranked play compared to other competitive shooters. Vanguard’s real-time monitoring catches and blocks cheats before they can impact games.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)

PUBG set the standard for battle royale games and takes cheating seriously with HWID ban enforcement. The game blocks hardware identifiers to stop repeat offenders from making new accounts after getting caught.

Players often share their thoughts on PUBG’s anti-cheat methods in community forums, with many supporting these tough measures. Regular ban waves target thousands of accounts at once, showing PUBG’s ongoing work to keep matches fair and competitive.

Overwatch 2

Blizzard uses hardware ID bans in Overwatch 2 to stop cheaters in their tracks. The game’s competitive team-based matches need tight control against unfair play, making these strict bans important for match quality.

Players see positive results from these bans, reporting cleaner matches and better competitive balance. Blizzard runs regular ban waves targeting cheaters and account sellers, blocking their hardware to stop them from making new accounts.

Rainbow Six Siege

Ubisoft takes a tough stand on cheating in Rainbow Six Siege through HWID bans. The game’s tactical shooter format, where every round counts, makes fair play essential. When caught cheating, players get their hardware blocked, stopping them from making new accounts.

The Rainbow Six community backs these strict measures, noting how cheating can ruin the precise gunplay and strategy-based matches. Players report better match quality since Ubisoft started implementing hardware-level bans.

Destiny 2

Bungie keeps Destiny 2’s competitive balance with HWID ban enforcement, blocking both PvP cheaters and those who mess with PvE activities. These bans lock players’ hardware, stopping them from making new accounts after getting caught.

Players share mixed opinions about Bungie’s ban system. Some praise it for cleaning up Trials of Osiris matches, while others point out false positives in raid activities. The regular ban waves target thousands of accounts, showing Bungie’s steady work against unfair play.

Escape from Tarkov

Battlestate Games blocks cheaters in Escape from Tarkov through strict HWID bans. The game’s intense survival gameplay, where players risk losing their gear in each raid, makes fair play particularly important. These hardware-level bans stop banned players from creating new accounts.

The Tarkov community often discusses how these bans keep the gameplay authentic. Players report better experiences in raids since HWID bans started, with fewer speed hackers and aim botters showing up in matches.

Rust

Facepunch Studios implements HWID bans in Rust to stop unfair play in their multiplayer survival game. When players get caught cheating, their computer hardware gets blocked, preventing them from making new accounts to continue breaking rules.

The Rust community supports these tough measures, noting fewer hackers in their servers since the hardware bans started. Players report better experiences building bases and gathering resources without interference from cheaters.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)

Valve fights cheating in CS:GO through HWID ban enforcement, permanently blocking players’ computer components from accessing the game. These bans hit especially hard in CS:GO’s competitive matches, where cheating can wreck the carefully balanced gameplay.

The CS:GO community strongly backs these tough bans, noting cleaner matches in competitive modes. Players report fewer spinbotters and wallhackers since Valve started blocking hardware IDs. Regular VAC ban waves target thousands of accounts at once, showing Valve’s ongoing work to keep CS:GO’s matches fair and competitive.

Battlefield 2042

EA takes direct action against cheaters in Battlefield 2042 with HWID bans. These bans target specific computer components, making them stick even when players try making new accounts. In large-scale multiplayer battles with up to 128 players, cheating can quickly spoil matches for many players at once.

Players report mixed results from these anti-cheat efforts. While some notice fewer aimbots and wallhacks in their games, others point out ongoing issues with hackers getting around the system.

Black Desert Online

Pearl Abyss keeps Black Desert Online’s competitive balance through HWID bans, targeting players who break the rules. These hardware-level blocks stop banned accounts from returning under new names. The game’s mix of PvP combat and complex trading systems makes stopping cheaters a top priority.

Players give mixed feedback on these anti-cheat methods. Some praise the strict bans for cleaning up Node Wars and open-world PvP, while others question if normal gameplay hiccups sometimes trigger false flags.

DayZ

Bohemia Interactive uses hardware ID bans in DayZ to stop cheating in their multiplayer survival game. When players get caught breaking rules, their computer components get blocked from accessing DayZ servers, stopping them from making new accounts.

The DayZ community wants strong anti-cheat measures because cheating ruins the intense survival gameplay. Players report better experiences looting and fighting since the HWID bans started, with fewer speed hackers and item duplicators showing up in servers.

Halo Infinite

343 Industries implements HWID bans in Halo Infinite to protect ranked matches. When players get caught cheating, their computer parts get blocked from accessing the game – stopping them from making new accounts to keep playing.

The Halo community backs these tough measures to protect ranked matches. Players report fewer aimbots and wallhacks in their games since the ban system rolled out. Regular ban waves hit hundreds of accounts at once, showing 343’s steady work against unfair play in both casual and competitive modes.

Rocket League

Psyonix takes a firm stance on cheating in Rocket League through HWID bans, stopping unfair advantages in their unique car-soccer game. When players get caught breaking rules, their hardware gets blocked from making new accounts.

The game’s skill-based mechanics make fair play essential – from aerial shots to precise ball control. Players report seeing fewer speed hackers and bot users in matches since Psyonix started blocking hardware IDs. The community appreciates these strict measures, noting better match quality in both casual and ranked modes.

Dead by Daylight

Behaviour Interactive targets rule-breakers in Dead by Daylight with HWID ban enforcement to keep matches fair. In a game where one killer faces off against four survivors, cheating can quickly ruin the experience for all five players.

The community reports better match quality since hardware bans started blocking cheaters from making new accounts. Players note fewer speed hackers and auto-aim users disrupting their matches, letting both killers and survivors focus on outsmarting each other through normal gameplay.

World of Warcraft

Blizzard keeps World of Warcraft fair through strict HWID bans, blocking cheaters’ computer hardware from accessing the game. These bans hit particularly hard in WoW’s massive player base, where botting and hacking can affect thousands of players at once.

The WoW community largely supports these tough measures, noting fewer gold farmers and combat bots in their servers. Regular ban waves target thousands of accounts simultaneously, showing Blizzard’s ongoing fight against unfair play in both PvE and PvP content.

League of Legends

Riot Games blocks cheaters in League of Legends through HWID ban enforcement, stopping banned players from making new accounts. The game’s massive eSports scene makes fair play critical for both pro matches and ranked games.

Players report seeing fewer scripting tools and map hacks in their matches since Riot started blocking hardware IDs. The LoL community notes better game quality, particularly in ranked modes where cheating used to hit hardest.

Dota 2

Valve takes a strong stand against cheating in Dota 2 through HWID ban enforcement. When players get caught breaking rules, their computer hardware gets blocked from accessing the game, stopping them from making new accounts.

The Dota community shares mixed opinions on these bans. Pro players praise the system for keeping tournaments clean, while casual players point out ongoing issues with script users in public matches. Valve runs regular ban waves targeting thousands of accounts, showing their steady work to keep both competitive and pub games fair.

ARK: Survival Evolved

Studio Wildcard blocks cheaters in ARK through hardware ID bans, targeting those who break the rules in their dinosaur-filled survival game. When players get caught cheating, their computer components get blocked from accessing official servers, stopping them from making new accounts.

Players note better experiences on ARK servers since the HWID system started, with fewer instances of item duplication and speed hacks. The community backs these strict measures, pointing out how cheating can quickly wreck the careful balance of tribe warfare and resource gathering.

Grand Theft Auto V Online

Rockstar Games guards GTA V Online’s gameplay through strict HWID ban enforcement, blocking specific computer parts when players break rules. These hardware-level blocks stop banned players from making new accounts to continue cheating.

The game’s sprawling multiplayer world makes fair play vital – from heists to racing events. Players report better experiences in public lobbies since Rockstar started using hardware bans, noting fewer money hackers and god-mode users disrupting sessions.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Online

Rockstar Games takes a tough stance on rule-breakers in Red Dead Online through HWID bans. When players get caught cheating, their computer parts get blocked from accessing the game, stopping them from making new accounts to continue breaking rules.

Players report fewer mod menu users and god-mode hackers in their sessions since hardware bans started. The community backs these strict measures, noting cleaner experiences during free roam events, hunting trips, and story missions.

Genshin Impact

miHoYo blocks cheaters in Genshin Impact through HWID ban enforcement, stopping banned players’ hardware from accessing the game. These bans target players who use third-party tools or manipulate game data in the open-world RPG.

Players report mixed results from these anti-cheat efforts. While some notice fewer damage hackers and speed boosters in co-op mode, others point out ongoing issues with private servers. miHoYo runs regular ban waves, often hitting thousands of accounts monthly to protect the game’s balance.

Roblox

Popular games on Roblox’s platform now include HWID ban enforcement to stop repeat rule-breakers. Unlike standard account bans, these target specific computer parts, blocking banned players from making new accounts to keep playing.

Players note different ban systems across major Roblox games, with some using IP blocks while others go for full hardware bans. The community backs these steps to stop exploiters and script users, though some worry about false flags affecting innocent players.

Minecraft (certain servers)

Popular Minecraft servers take different approaches to hardware bans to stop repeat rule-breakers. These bans vary by server – some block specific computer parts while others combine IP and hardware restrictions.

Players share mixed views on server-specific bans. While many support tough measures against hackers and griefers, others worry about false positives affecting legitimate players. Server admins often track ban effectiveness through player reports and automated detection systems.

Final Fantasy XIV

Square Enix keeps Final Fantasy XIV’s massive player base safe through HWID ban enforcement. These bans block specific computer components when players break rules, stopping them from making new accounts to continue cheating.

Players report better experiences in both raids and PvP matches since the HWID system started working. The FFXIV community backs these strict measures, noting fewer gil sellers and botters in their daily activities. Regular ban waves target hundreds of accounts at once, protecting the game’s rich content and player-driven economy.

The Division 2

Ubisoft keeps The Division 2’s streets clean through HWID ban enforcement, targeting players who use cheats or abuse game exploits. When players get caught breaking rules, their computer components get blocked from accessing the game, stopping them from making new accounts.

Players share mixed feedback about these bans. While some notice fewer damage hackers in the Dark Zone, others point to continuing problems with exploit users in raids. Regular ban waves hit hundreds of accounts monthly, showing Ubisoft’s work to protect both PvE and PvP gameplay.

H1Z1

Daybreak Game Company blocks rule-breakers in H1Z1 through strict hardware ID restrictions. When players get banned, their computer parts get locked out of the game, stopping them from making new accounts to continue cheating.

Players note the impact of these anti-cheat measures in battle royale matches. The community shares mostly positive feedback about cleaner games since hardware bans started, with fewer speed hackers and aim assists showing up in firefights. Regular ban waves target hundreds of accounts monthly to keep matches competitive.

Hunt: Showdown

Crytek takes a strong stance against unfair play in Hunt: Showdown through HWID ban enforcement. When players get caught cheating, their computer parts get blocked from accessing the game, stopping them from making new accounts.

The Hunt community reports better match quality since hardware bans started working. Players notice fewer wallhacks and aim assists during intense bounty hunting matches, letting them focus on tracking monsters and outplaying other hunters through skill alone.

Final Thoughts on HWID Bans in Gaming

The widespread adoption of HWID bans across gaming’s biggest titles signals a decisive shift in how developers approach cheating prevention. While some players debate the severity of hardware-level restrictions, the gaming community largely supports these measures for creating cleaner, more competitive environments. The technology continues to evolve, with developers fine-tuning their approaches to balance strict enforcement with fair play.

As gaming communities grow and competitive scenes expand, HWID bans remain a powerful tool in maintaining game integrity. While no anti-cheat system is perfect, hardware bans have proven effective at deterring repeat offenders and protecting the gaming experience for rule-abiding players across genres.