Cheating in online matches of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone is nothing new, but it takes a special mindset to so brazenly use wallhacks while livestreaming on Twitch. This is exactly what happened recently as streamer TwistedBear forgot to hide his cheats while broadcasting and seemed completely unaware that his cheating software was visible during an online match.
As seen in the video below, the program shows a simple but clear stick person outline of both allied and opposing players, allowing TwistedBear to get the drop on players in what can only be described as a clairvoyant perfect guess, if one were playing on the receiving end of his cheating. These are the exactly same types of cheats that have become so prevalent in the free-to-play mode of the game, Warzone, while Activision says it is hard at work to detect, though clearly players are having no problem getting through the system.
In no time at all, the video clip went viral on Reddit, YouTube, Twitter, and elsewhere. Within around four or five hours, TwistedBear’s channel was no longer available and Twitch has presumably caught wind of the violation.
At this point, the incident is almost comical, were it not so sad. For years developers for Call of Duty have been working on ways to detect this exact form of cheat, and yet they do not seem able to stay ahead of the curve, making the competitive online experience a frustrating experience for players looking to play honestly.
Recently, Riot Games took a lot of flak for what can be described as extreme and invasive anti-cheat software for its new tactical shooter, VALORANT. However, it does seem that Riot Games is having a better time in rooting out potential cheats compared to most other games in the genre. While no one likes invasive anti-cheat software, the developers of Call of Duty might do well to invest in something better than what exists now, because cheating in online games is by far the easiest way to alienate your core audience.
Since the incident occurred, TwistedBear has not made any formal announcement acknowledging his cheating. The only upside is that his Call of Duty account is sure to be permanently banned, and if we are lucky, it will be the last we see of the streamer. There are so many excellent, high-quality players streaming on several platforms, and there really is no need to support those who can only generate excitement through cheating online.