Cheating and Manipulation in Esports: Challenges and Solutions

Esports, or professional video game competition, has become a global phenomenon in recent years. Millions of viewers watch the competitions online or in person, and tournaments offer huge prize pools. However, as in any competitive field, esports is not immune to manipulation. Cheating, match-fixing, and even doping are serious problems that threaten the integrity of the sport. In this article, we take a look at the challenges esports faces regarding these practices and highlight the solutions developed by the scene to counteract them.

Cheating in e-sports: forms and effects

Cheating, or the use of illicit means to gain an unfair advantage, is widespread in esports. There are various types of cheats, ranging from simple game tampering to complex, external programs that are difficult to detect. Here are some of the most common forms:

Aimbots and Wallhacks : Aimbots are programs that automatically aim and fire at enemies, unnaturally improving a player's accuracy and responsiveness. Wallhacks, on the other hand, allow a player to see through walls or other obstacles, something that would normally be impossible. These cheats are especially common in first-person shooters like "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" or "Call of Duty."
Scripting : In games like League of Legends and Dota 2, some players use scripting tools that perform automated in-game actions, such as precisely dodging enemy abilities or simultaneously executing complex maneuvers. These scripts are often difficult to detect because they subtly affect gameplay.
Hardware modifications : Some players modify their hardware to gain an advantage. For example, using special mice or keyboards that can perform multiple actions at once, compared to standard peripherals, may be considered cheating. Manipulation of the network connection to minimize lag or intentionally hinder opponents is also considered cheating.

Impact of cheating on e-sports

The impact of cheating on esports is immense. Firstly, cheating undermines the fairness and integrity of the competition. Spectators and fans expect players to win fairly, and any instance of cheating can damage confidence in the entire game or tournament. Secondly, sponsors and investors can be put off, as they do not want to be associated with a scene riddled with fraud and manipulation. Finally, cheating also jeopardizes the careers of the affected players: Many professional esports athletes caught cheating have received lifetime bans and irretrievably lost their reputation within the scene.

Match-fixing: When the result is determined

Match-fixing is another serious problem in esports. It involves players or teams agreeing to intentionally manipulate the outcome of a match, often in exchange for money or other advantages. Match-fixing has long been a problem in traditional sports, but esports is no exception.

Examples of match-fixing

One of the most famous esports scandals occurred in 2014 in "StarCraft 2," when several Korean players, including well-known professionals, were caught manipulating match results. They intentionally lost games in order to receive money from bookmakers who had bet on those results.

Another example comes from the Counter-Strike scene. The iBUYPOWER team was involved in a match-fixing scandal, in which players intentionally lost a match after earning large sums of money by betting on the outcome. The players were banned from official tournaments for life by Valve, the game's developer.

Effects of match-fixing

Match-fixing undermines the credibility of esports even more than cheating. It destroys viewers' trust in the competition and casts a negative light on the entire scene. Furthermore, match-fixing often attracts illegal activities such as match-fixing and gambling, which in turn jeopardizes the reputation of esports as a thriving, professional industry.

Doping in e-sports: The use of performance enhancers

While doping has been an issue in traditional sports for decades, it is increasingly becoming a problem in eSports as well. E-sports athletes use performance-enhancing substances to improve their concentration and reaction time. Known substances include:

Adderall : Adderall is a medication prescribed to treat ADHD. It improves concentration and alertness and may therefore be beneficial in esports, especially in games that require quick reaction times and strategic thinking. Several esports athletes have admitted to taking Adderall before tournaments to enhance their performance.

Approaches to dealing with doping

Some esports leagues have already taken measures against doping. For example, the ESL (Electronic Sports League) introduced drug testing for players in 2015 after it was revealed that several participants in a tournament had used Adderall. While these tests are not yet as widespread as in traditional sports, they demonstrate that the esports scene is taking the problem seriously.

Solutions for cheating and manipulation in e-sports

To protect the integrity of esports, various measures have been taken to curb cheating, match-fixing, and doping. Here are some of the most important approaches:

Anti-cheat software : Many game developers have developed special anti-cheat programs to detect and prevent in-game cheats. For example, Valve, the developer of "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive," uses the "VAC" (Valve Anti-Cheat) system, which automatically scans for suspicious activity and bans players if they violate it. Other games use systems such as "BattleEye" or "Easy Anti-Cheat."
Strict penalties and bans : Players caught cheating or match-fixing face severe consequences. Lifetime bans, hefty fines, and loss of sponsorship contracts are common punishments. This deterrent is intended to prevent players from attempting to cheat in the first place.
Education and Training : Many esports organizations offer training and education for players to inform them about the consequences of cheating and match-fixing. These programs are designed to ensure players are aware of the risks and maintain the integrity of the competition.
Independent referees and monitoring : Major tournaments often employ independent referees and monitoring systems to ensure fair play during matches. Spectators, referees, and administrators can report suspicious activity, which is then investigated further.

Conclusion

Cheating, match-fixing, and doping are serious challenges facing esports. They threaten not only the integrity of the competition, but also the trust of spectators, sponsors, and investors. However, the industry has demonstrated its willingness to actively address these issues. With the implementation of anti-cheat software, tough penalties, education, and independent monitoring systems, esports is continually being made safer and fairer. However, the scene must remain vigilant and constantly evolve to counter new forms of cheating and manipulation and protect esports as a professional competition in the long term.