In a significant move to bolster anti-cheat measures, Electronic Arts (EA) has mandated the activation of Secure Boot for players of Battlefield 2042. This requirement, introduced in Update 8.8.0, aims to counteract sophisticated cheating techniques that exploit vulnerabilities during the Windows boot process. By enforcing Secure Boot, EA seeks to ensure that only trusted software components are loaded during system startup, thereby enhancing the game's security framework.
This strategy mirrors earlier initiatives by Riot Games, which implemented similar security protocols in their popular title, Valorant. Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat system requires players to enable both Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 to maintain a trusted computing environment. These measures have been instrumental in mitigating cheating by ensuring that the game's operating environment is secure from the moment the system boots up.
The adoption of Secure Boot as an anti-cheat measure underscores a broader industry trend towards leveraging hardware-based security features to combat cheating. By integrating these requirements, game developers can create a more secure and fair gaming experience, protecting both the integrity of their games and the satisfaction of their player base.
For players, this means ensuring that Secure Boot is enabled in their system's BIOS or UEFI settings. While most modern systems support Secure Boot, it's essential for users to verify its activation to comply with these new requirements and continue enjoying their gaming experience without interruption.
Source: Tom's Hardware Battlefield 2024 requires secure boot for anti-cheat, following in Valorant's footsteps
