Rockstar rolls out new cheat detection systems in GTA Online

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Rockstar would like to remind everyone that cheating in Grand Theft Auto Online is a Very Bad Thing, and could result in a trip to the cheater pool, or even a temporary or permanent ban from the game for those caught doing it. It also warned that your odds of being caught have recently gone up, thanks to some new tricks up its sleeve that will help it determine who's breaking the rules, and deal with them accordingly.

"As part of our ongoing commitment to combat cheating and griefing, we have recently implemented new systems to allow us to more efficiently detect and target any players found running mods and cheat programs within GTA Online," Rockstar wrote in an update posted today. "As a reminder, any attempt to tamper with the behavior of GTA Online by installing or executing mods, scripts, or other exploits, modifying the game files or manipulating the game in any way while it is executing will result in disciplinary action including but not limited to time in the cheater pool, bans and potential suspension of your account."

The "cheater pool" is an isolated section of the game to which Rockstar temporarily banishes those who cheat, but don't cheat so egregiously as to warrant an outright ban. The studio also thanked members of the GTA Online community for doing their part by reporting the unscrupulous via the in-game menu or at GTAOnlineBanhammer@rockstargames.com.

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Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.