GTA Online patch 1.29, containing the Freemode Events DLC, has introduced a new anti-cheat system. Better yet, it introduced it in a way that does not shaft PC players.
In fact not only are PC players unshackled from their previous restraints, the new system works marvellously, nicking cheaters and hackers in GTA Online consistently. However, do not mistake the new method (which no longer breaks the game) any less strict. In fact, some of the new punishments are so severe that this can be considered yet another large scale crackdown.
As opposed to the previous infringement ladder (being 10 days to one month to two months, with only extreme cases earning a permaban) it seems Rockstar is no longer intent on keeping cheaters in the game and merely punishing them temporarily. Now, the 10 day ban comes with a longer or even permanent chat and mic ban, the one month ban sets your cash balance to GTA$20,000 (even if you purchased a Shark cash card), and the two month ban has been changed to a permanent ban from GTA Online.
But wait.
There's more.
If you are hit with all three on the same account, you will reportedly be banned from playing story mode. Yes, you read that right. Story mode. If this happens, you will only be able to run the game in offline mode. This particular addition has already began to make the public restless, which could be expected, as why on earth would multiplayer hacking get you banned from the single player portion?
Other punishments include matchmaking limitations, which mean that you'd only be able to join lobbies with very few players, lobbies populated only by cheaters, or empty lobbies. This is still regulated based upon the bad sport points, or smaller cheating infringements.
What do you guys think of the new GTA Online anti-cheat protocols?
