The process of acquiring and installing Riot Games’ proprietary anti-cheat software, Vanguard, is generally integrated into the installation of Riot Games titles like Valorant. It functions as a system-level application designed to ensure competitive integrity by preventing unauthorized software and cheats during gameplay. An example of needing to undertake this process is when a user installs Valorant for the first time, the Vanguard software is automatically installed alongside it.
Vanguard’s significance lies in its attempts to provide a fair and secure gaming environment. Its system-level access allows it to identify and block cheats that operate at a kernel level, which are often difficult for less intrusive anti-cheat measures to detect. Historically, online games have struggled with cheaters, and Vanguard represents Riot Games’ effort to directly address this challenge and protect the integrity of the player experience. Success in this area benefits not only Riot Games but also competitive online gaming community as a whole by promoting fairness and equal opportunity.
