Anti-Cheat Expert

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Anti-Cheat Expert
DeveloperTencent
Release2005
Operating systemWindows, macOS, Linux
PlatformWindows, Linux
TypeAnti-cheat software
LicenseProprietary

Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) is a game security product created by Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent, designed for both PC games and mobile games.

ACE was initially released as an antibot for Free Fantasy Online in 2005.[1] Since then, ACE has also collaborated with multiple games such as Honor of Kings, Game for Peace and Arena Breakout.[2][3]

Anti-Cheat Expert is a member of the Fair Play Alliance.[4]

History

In 2021, its current name Anti-Cheat Expert was announced.[5] In March 2022, ACE participated in the Game Developers Conference (GDC) for the first time.[6] In August 2023, ACE participated in the Gamescom for the first time.

In April 2024, ACE was interviewed by the Korea Economic Daily to discuss "how artificial intelligence can advance game security technology".[7] ACE entered into a partnership agreement with Cathedral Studios, offering anti-cheat protection for their game, The Bornless.[8] ACE participated at Gamescom again in 2024.[9]

Controversy

Anti-Cheat Expert has faced criticism for its use of kernel-level access in its anti-cheat technology. Kernel-level access grants the software the highest level of control over a user's system, which has raised significant security and privacy concerns among critics and cybersecurity experts. Critics argue that this level of access increases the risk of data misuse and security vulnerabilities.[10]

Despite these concerns, ACE is widely used across numerous games, including Delta Force and Honor of Kings, where it provides security solutions to combat cheating and improve fair play.[11]

It's been reported that most games using Anti-Cheat Expert blocks Desktop Linux from running the game through the Proton compatibility layer, but allows the Steam Deck.[12][13][14][15] However, there are some games that have been reported to be working on regular Linux systems too.[16][17]

Games using Anti-Cheat Expert

References

  1. 反外挂能力杠杠的. "技术迭代，能力聚合——腾讯游戏安全品牌升级一周年！". Weixin Official Accounts Platform. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  2. "Anti-Cheat Expert". intl.anticheatexpert.com. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  3. Pengin. "GameIndustry.eu - Anti-Cheat Expert". GameIndustry.eu. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  4. ml-admin. "Members". Fair Play Alliance. Archived from the original on 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  5. 张瑨瑄. "腾讯发布游戏安全全新品牌ACE，助力搭建一站式防御体系". cn.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  6. "Tencent Games to showcase innovations in game development at GDC 2023". www.animationxpress.com. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  7. "텐센트 "AI로 게임보안 솔루션도 강화…실시간 탐지"". 한국경제 (in Korean). 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  8. Studios, Tencent Cloud, Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) and Cathedral. "iTWire - Tencent Cloud, Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) and Cathedral Studios Join Force to Boost Gaming Experience". itwire.com. Retrieved 2024-09-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. Narayan, Niji (2024-08-05). "Tencent Games Returns to Gamescom 2024 with its Latest Gaming Solutions and Technologies". European Gaming Industry News. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  10. Amadeo, Ron (2022-08-23). "Kernel-level anti-cheat tech is a privacy and security disaster waiting to happen". XDA Developers. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  11. "Anti-Cheat Expert". Tencent Cloud. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  12. "Delta Force devs say Desktop Linux support is 'not part of our agenda in the future'". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  13. "Infinity Nikki on Steam works on Steam Deck but the situation is odd and anti-cheat blocks Desktop Linux". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  14. "My Biggest Linux Gaming Fear Has Happened". Youtube. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
  15. Allen, Eric Van (26 February 2025). "Mecha Break Is Garnering Tons of Players on Steam, but With a 'Mostly Negative' User Review Rating — Here's Why". IGN. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  16. "Wuthering Waves now Steam Deck Playable, and works on Desktop Linux with one tweak". GamingOnLinux. 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  17. "Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is out now and does work on Linux". GamingOnLinux. 2025-10-10. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
  18. "Tencent Cloud, Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) and Cathedral Studios Join Force to Boost Gaming Experience". Yahoo Finance. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-09-27.