Cronus cheaters are getting sniped across the biggest FPS games

(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)

If you're into online FPS games, you'll likely have heard of Cronus. The Cronus Zen is one of many little hardware modules that have been giving cheaters a physical way to skirt anticheat software for years, in top games like Call of Duty and Destiny 2. Now big-name game developers are cracking down on their use, with Activision pushing out a ban. And it looks like Bungie could be soon to follow.

On the Cronus site, the creators place the Zen as "the world's best game controller converter." Similar to how Xim and other physical cheat devices work, it's essentially a controller emulation peripheral with scripting technology that offers a little bag of tricks to anyone willing to drop $120 for an advantage. Common uses include reduced kickback from gunfire, and giving mouse and keyboard players use of the aim assist function.

There's some grey area as to their use, though since it's all but impossible to tell if players are using these kinds of devices responsibly, an outright ban seems to be the logical step for developers to prevent people from gaining an unfair competitive advantage. As such, Activision is now closing in on cheaters with the latest Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2.0 update, which includes "third-party hardware device detection".

"We are currently investigating reports that the latest game update includes a detection system that might be able to identify the use of the Cronus Zen. Therefore, we want to remind you that using the Cronus Zen could potentially result in penalties such as a ban or account suspension.

"It is important to note that the use of Cronus Zen in any game is solely at your own risk. Please be aware of the risks involved and make an informed decision. Thank you for your attention and understanding."

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"The use of hardware that provides, or is intended to provide, a competitive advantage is not allowed. When detected, players will receive an in-game warning. Players must remove the attached hardware device and restart Fortnite to continue playing."

Since the anti-hardware cheat trend began, Cronus Zen eBay listings have been popping up all over, with people trying to flog the devices cheap before the ban spreads to too many other games.

Bungie looks to be the next to crack down, and told The Verge a couple of months back that the use of these devices is "something we are currently investigating.”

I'm in contact with Bungie now about potential bans for using cheating hardware, and will make sure to update this page if the company puts out an official statement. For now, we can assume other games are likely to follow suit.

Having been obsessed with game mechanics, computers and graphics for three decades, Katie took Game Art and Design up to Masters level at uni and has been writing about digital games, tabletop games and gaming technology for over five years since. She can be found facilitating board game design workshops and optimising everything in her path.