Riot Games is embarking on a significant transformation of its Vanguard anti-cheat system, a move that many players have been eagerly anticipating. With an update rolling out today, Vanguard will transition from a persistent background presence to an “on-demand” model, activating only during gameplay and ceasing operations once the game concludes.
Changes to Vanguard’s Functionality
Initially launched in 2020, Vanguard faced scrutiny due to its “kernel mode” operation, which allows Riot access to a deep level of system functionality. This level of access, combined with its constant background operation, raised concerns among users. However, with this new update, players of League of Legends and Valorant will finally enjoy a similar operational model to that of other popular titles like Genshin Impact and Doom Eternal, where the anti-cheat system only runs when the game is active.
Phillip Koskinas, Riot’s anti-cheat chief, announced the change, stating, “Starting later today, the universally beloved anti-cheat product, Vanguard, will begin to support on-demand sessions from all sufficiently secured PC devices.” The term ‘on-demand’ signifies that Vanguard’s driver component will no longer initiate at system startup. However, to take advantage of this feature, players must ensure their hardware meets specific modern security criteria.
- Players must opt into pre-boot security mechanisms.
- Windows’ native protection features must be enabled.
By meeting these conditions, Vanguard can safely relinquish its watchful eye, allowing users to reclaim some of their taskbar space.
Eligibility and Requirements
Approximately 35% of Riot’s player base already meets the necessary conditions for Vanguard’s new “Pre-Check.” For those who do not, additional requirements include:
- Running Windows 11 25H2 or later.
- Enabling UEFI Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, VBS, HVCI, and IOMMU.
While the technical details may seem daunting, players will find that setting up these features is manageable, albeit requiring some navigation through BIOS settings.
For the remaining 3% of players using older hardware that cannot meet these requirements, the on-demand option will remain out of reach until an upgrade is made. However, Vanguard will continue its current operation for these users, with Riot emphasizing that no immediate changes are mandatory. “We’re not making anyone change anything. We’re willing to wait until the ecosystem matures,” Koskinas reassured.
Future Developments and Security Enhancements
Riot’s decision to implement an on-demand option has been influenced by recent advancements in Windows and PC hardware security features. Koskinas noted, “Microsoft and PC equipment manufacturers have long-recognized the need for cryptographic verification of boot processes and of the kernel, so they’ve been cookin’ up heat for quite some time.” This collaboration with the Xbox OS Security Team has paved the way for the new operational model.
As the landscape of gaming evolves, particularly with the rise of AI-driven botting techniques, Riot remains committed to enhancing its anti-cheat measures. Koskinas stated, “Friction is not fun, and we prefer incentives to requirements.” He indicated that while future checks may be added to the Pre-Check, the focus will remain on keeping the process optional for most players, only tightening requirements for the most competitive environments.
