Activision wins $14 million against cheat maker EngineOwning

A recent court ruling in California has seen a significant victory for video game giant Activision against cheat maker EngineOwning. The court has ordered EngineOwning to pay Activision more than $14 million in damages and legal fees for selling cheats for games like Call of Duty. Additionally, a permanent injunction has been granted to halt EngineOwning's illicit activities and transfer its website domain to Activision.

Despite the court's decision, doubts linger over Activision's ability to collect the owed money or take control of the website. EngineOwning, based outside the U.S., continues to sell cheats and has shown defiance towards the ruling. The company has even announced plans to release new cheats for Call of Duty games, dismissing Activision's claims.

EngineOwning asserts that the individuals targeted in the lawsuit are no longer associated with the company and that ownership has changed hands. To safeguard its website, the company has established backup domains. While temporarily halting one cheat, EngineOwning intends to reintroduce it after bypassing Activision's anti-cheat measures.

Cheating in multiplayer games, particularly in titles like Call of Duty and Warzone, remains a persistent challenge. Legal actions like this ruling aim to deter cheat makers, but EngineOwning's response raises doubts about Activision's ability to effectively curb the company's operations without further legal steps, especially in uncertain jurisdictions.

Looking ahead, as Activision prepares for the launch of Black Ops 6, the company is focused on enhancing its anti-cheat measures. The ongoing battle against cheat makers in the gaming industry continues to evolve, presenting a complex challenge for developers.