Recently, Arrowhead officially announced that Helldivers 2 will switch its anti-cheat system from GameGuard to Easy Anti-Cheat this week, deploying additional security tools and measures. The studio stated that GameGuard's actual performance in the game did not meet expectations, and the new solution will focus on restricting modifications that create unfair advantages or impact other players in the same session.
Arrowhead also clarified its stance on PC mods. The team acknowledges the creativity demonstrated by cosmetic mods and those that do not alter gameplay, as long as they do not affect other players in co-op sessions. However, after switching the anti-cheat system, gameplay-related modifications may no longer function.
The impact may extend beyond what the studio considers cheating mods. Arrowhead warned that some non-malicious cosmetic mods could also be affected, requiring updates from mod authors before they can be used again.
This adjustment has sparked controversy within the community. Some players have stated that they use gameplay mods not to gain a competitive edge, but to address fundamental game issues such as stratagem bouncing and abnormal hitbox detection. While the switch in anti-cheat solutions and restrictions on unfair modifications have been confirmed, whether various mods will continue to work remains to be seen after the update goes live, depending on adaptation progress by mod authors.