> EA says kernel-level protection is “absolutely vital” for competitive games like FIFA 23, as existing cheats operate in the kernel space, so games running in regular user mode can’t detect that tampering or cheating is occurring.<p>There are soccer games from the 90s that didn't need to run in Ring 0.
They love their DRM. This won't stop programs running outside EA's view of "kernel space". Total waste of time, and opening a new side channel.
Gross. Also a recipe for disaster. However:<p>As a "gamer", I have to say: We are running out of options for anti-cheat.<p>The cheaters are EVERYWHERE in games like Destiny 2, Fortnite, CS: GO, New World... any popular online game, the cheaters are in 1/10 matches ruining your fun.<p>Weather or not a kernel level anti-cheat will help? Probably not. It is unfortunate that a lot of lower information consumers are going to install this crap onto their PCs.
This is the kind of thing UWP sandbox, or killing kexts in macOS forbids, but hey lets enjoy the freedom of installing anything.<p>They manage on mobile devices without kernel level anti-cheat systems.