Call of Duty’s anti-cheat team has issued a stern warning to players just days before the highly anticipated return of the Verdansk map to Warzone. The message comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat cheating and maintain fair play in the popular battle royale game.
Ricochet Anti-Cheat Crackdown
Team Ricochet, the dedicated anti-cheat division for Call of Duty, posted a message on Twitter cautioning players against using unauthorized methods to unlock or equip weapon camos:
“Any attempt to unlock or equip camos through exploits or unauthorized methods will result in account enforcement. We have issued temporary bans to accounts in violation of the Call of Duty Security and Enforcement Policy, for having equipped weapon camos not legitimately obtainable in Multiplayer and Warzone.”
The team emphasized that players should not trust suspicious websites or services offering in-game items, COD Points, or artificial game progression. Such services violate the game’s Terms of Use and can lead to compromised accounts and exposure of personal information.
Timing of the Warning
This warning comes at a crucial time, with Verdansk set to make its return to Call of Duty: Warzone on April 3, 2025. The remastered version of the iconic map has generated significant excitement among the player base, but it also presents an opportunity for cheaters to exploit the game.
Persistent Cheating Issues
The Call of Duty community, including content creators and esports players, has been vocal about ongoing cheating problems in the game’s online modes. These concerns have persisted despite the implementation of the Ricochet anti-cheat system.
The issue has been particularly pronounced since the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which saw record-breaking success and boosted Microsoft’s Game Pass subscriptions. While Team Ricochet has denied some claims about the prevalence of cheating, they have also taken action against confirmed cases.
Verdansk’s Importance
The return of Verdansk is a critical moment for Call of Duty: Warzone. Earlier reports suggested that Activision might consider discontinuing Warzone if the remastered Verdansk fails to meet performance expectations. This heightens the importance of ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience for players upon the map’s relaunch.
What to Expect in Verdansk 2025
The remastered Verdansk will feature several updates while maintaining the core layout that made it popular:
- Improved graphics and lighting systems
- Enhanced draw distances
- Adjustments to certain points of interest
- Integration with Black Ops 6 gameplay mechanics
Console players will benefit from the addition of an FOV (Field of View) slider, a feature previously unavailable during Verdansk’s original run.
Staying Secure in Warzone
To help players maintain account security and avoid potential bans, Activision recommends the following:
- Only obtain in-game items through official channels
- Avoid third-party services offering leveling or unlocks
- Regularly update account passwords
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Report suspicious activity to Activision Support
Players can find detailed information on account security in Activision’s official guide.
As the Call of Duty community eagerly awaits Verdansk’s return, the message from Team Ricochet serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against cheaters. With heightened anticipation comes increased scrutiny, and the success of Warzone’s revamped experience may hinge on providing a fair and cheat-free environment for all players.