Deadlock, the MOBA shooter currently in invited playtesting, has introduced a rather unique and humorous way to punish cheaters: turning them into frogs. Yes, you read that right. In Deadlock’s recent 09-26-2024 update, Valve implemented an anti-cheat system that gives players two options when it detects cheating: an immediate ban or a transformation into a hopping, green amphibian. If a player gets frogified, they’re essentially out of the game, unable to effectively participate or dodge gunfire. They become a very visible target, making their transgression a spectacle for all to see.
This humorous approach to combating cheating is still in its early stages, and Valve acknowledges that the anti-cheat detection is currently set to “conservative levels.” This means the system is still being fine-tuned to ensure accuracy and minimize false positives. In the meantime, players can also mute and report cheaters using the ESC key, both during and after rounds.
Cheating is a perennial problem in online multiplayer games, particularly with Valve’s titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Counter-Strike 2. While Valve has its own anti-cheat system, Valve Anti-Cheat, it hasn’t been a foolproof solution. The free-to-play nature of these games also makes it easy for players to create new accounts after being banned.
Interestingly, former Valve employee Burton Johnsey revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that a similar system was in development for CS:GO, which turned cheaters into chickens and was aptly named “FU Surprise Mode.”
Beyond the frog-tastic anti-cheat, the Deadlock update also brought a new hero, Mirage, the ability to create custom matches, enhanced private lobby features, and various hero and performance updates. This update demonstrates Valve’s commitment to both fun and fair gameplay in Deadlock.
