GTA 5 moves to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase

Grand Theft Auto V was released in 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar Games implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.

Background

This update retroactively restricted online usage on the Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative operating systems like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 Online is not supported by Steam Deck, GTA 5 Online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye is compatible with Linux, and compatibility can be enabled by an email to the BattlEye developers, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take these minimal steps to enable support.

Distributor and Consumer responses

Valve's response

In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users based on some criteria, such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifiers, according to the privacy policy:

• IP address
• Game identifiers (e.g., in-game name, account ID)
• Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g., serial numbers)
• Information about the running operating system
• Information about files and memory related to the game or operating system
• Information about running processes, drivers, and other executable code
• File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating-system user name

Because of the inherent privacy and security risks associated with kernel-mode anti-cheat, players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of kernel-mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers and publishers to disclose the use of more invasive kernel-mode anti-cheat solutions:

We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.

Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category. If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.

Specifying Kernel-level Integration - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.

Kernel mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contains vulnerabilities that can leave the user machine and data at risk, far beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user-mode permissions. Even Rockstar's own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only increasing risk to players.

While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.