It only takes minutes in Grand Theft Auto Online to realize the open-world multiplayer shooter has a significant problem with cheating. But, if today’s efforts by Rockstar are effective, GTA Online should see a reduction in players using modified game modes and other methods to illegitimately earn in-game currency.
Effectively dealing with cheaters is one of the ongoing struggles of maintaining an online game. Punishing cheaters helps keep the game fun for those that play fairly, but overly harsh actions run the risk of driving players away.
Rather than banning cheaters outright like games like Overwatch or The Division, Rockstar has simply removed any funds acquired through cheating from players’ in-game bank accounts. The deletion won’t affect money purchased through microtransactions.
Furthermore, the company has upped the severity of temporary suspensions through an update to its suspension and ban policy. From now on, when players receive a temporary ban their entire online progress, property, and inventory will be completely wiped with no opportunity for appeal.
From here on out, players that use exploits and mods to gain in-game currency risk suspension, and repeat offenders could be looking at a full-scale ban if their actions continue.