Pokemon Go cheaters beware: TECH TUESDAY

Niantic Labs is taking no prisoners with its latest anti-cheating systems.

This week, Pokemon Go received its largest update to date.

The massive update introduced a gym raid mechanic, gym badges and morale for gym leaders.

It’s also provided a new way to humiliate those using cheats to fill out their Pokedex.

Cheating players use third party software, bots and more to prosper.

With the update, Niantic has sent a clear message that this behaviour won’t be tolerated.

How does the new system work?

Niantic is flagging accounts with evidence of tampering.

Pokemon marked as illicitly caught are crossed out with a red slash in the inventory.

Forums also report the Pokemon ‘may not behave as expected’.

The jury is still out on what exactly that entails.

Players guilty of cheating the system will also find their experience diminished.

This means no catching of legendary or even rare creatures.

Is it entirely effective?

Yes and no.

Almost immediately after the update, cheaters began looking for a way out.

One initial workaround was evolving a marked Pokemon.

This reportedly solved the issue, with the evolved version no longer marked by the red slash.

Niantic has since clamped down on the workaround too.

Another oversight was that Pokemon caught illegally before the update, went unmarked.

Now hacked Pokemon can no longer evolve.

What are players saying?

These shadowbans and measures have been met with mixed reactions from players.

Honest players are glad to see cheaters get their dues.

However, many feel cheaters should have their accounts suspended or terminated instead.

Those admitting to cheating have commented it’s only limited how much they play.

What are your thoughts on the anti cheating systems? Do you feel this will curb players ‘spoofing’ the game?

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