With the rising hype of Battlefield 6 after its initial reveal trailer and discovering that several classic features were returning, fans were hesitantly waiting for some sort of catch. Unfortunately, it has been revealed that Battlefield 6 will use a kernel-level anti-cheat system called Javelin, and this news has not been well received by fans.
What Is a Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat?
For those who may not be familiar, several games over the past few years have implemented kernel-level anti-cheat systems to combat cheaters. These systems operate at the core of a computer’s operating system, allowing them to detect and prevent cheating by accessing deep system processes and memory.
Battlefield 6’s anti-cheat, Javelin, will not only be kernel-level but will also require a secure boot on PC. This probably means that in order to play Battlefield 6, players will need to load this program during startup, consuming computer resources even when they’re not actively playing the game.
Javelin is already in other Battlefield titles, including Battlefield Labs. If you’ve recently played older Battlefield games, you might already be familiar with this anti-cheat system. You may also be familiar with similar anti-cheat programs if you play Call of Duty or Fortnite.
Fans Aren’t Happy
Many players express unease about granting developers access to their system and data, even though kernel-level anti-cheats have proven somewhat effective in combating cheaters and hackers. The most notable backlash against these systems centers around Valorant’s Vanguard.
Even before Battlefield 6 enters its early access beta, discussions have emerged among players about whether this anti-cheat system might deter them from playing the game altogether.
