How to Detect and Stop Aimbot Cheaters in Shooter Games

First-person shooter (FPS) games are many things. They’re exciting, fast-paced and action-packed. Players compete for ranks and standing to earn many in-game rewards. Sometimes rewards can mean better gear, the ability to customize the game experience, or just plain bragging rights. It’s that last one that sadly brings another characteristic to FPS games: they attract cheaters. One of the most popular cheats is called an aimbot.

What is an aimbot?
Aimbots are software packages that players install on their home computers. The aimbot software runs along with the game. Its purpose is to acquire, track and shoot enemy targets with greater speed and accuracy than any human. Aimbots allow players to rack up huge scores and high stats with no skill or effort from the player. Using them is generally an offense that gets a player banned from the game.

How can I detect aimbot use?
Players don’t admit to aimbot use. They’ll just tell you they are fantastic players. How can you tell the difference between a great player and an aimbot? The easiest way is watching for snapping. Snapping is when a player’s in-game avatar reacts to the presence of a target the player could not have seen by instantly “snapping” directly to face the target and fire without missing. An example of snapping and perfect shooting from the game APB: Reloaded can be seen on YouTube.

What can I do about it?
The best way to handle it is reporting the cheater to the game company along with evidence of cheating. Usually the company can investigate and if they discover you were right the developers will handle the cheater for you.

How do I get evidence?
Find out if the game includes a video capture utility. You can download many video capture programs online as well. Either way be ready to record the cheater’s actions. When you have video of cheating-in-progress submit it to the game company.

Cheating can ruin a game by making game play so unfair that normally honest players may begin cheating just to level the playing field. By taking the high road and helping game companies address the problem you help all players have a better experience.


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