How exactly do we stop cheaters?

Today, getting banned from a game is little more than a temporary inconvenience. A cheater can create a new account and be back in a match within minutes. That's the problem we exist to solve.

PlaySafe ID works by tying access to PlaySafe Protected matchmaking to a verified identity. Every player gets one PlaySafe ID, and only one. When a cheater is banned, that ban is attached to their verified identity, not just their account. There's no new account to hide behind, no fresh start. The consequence follows them.

Here's how it works in practice:

One identity, one ID. Because PlaySafe ID is tied to real identity verification, it's not possible to simply create another account and start over. Each person can only ever hold one PlaySafe ID.

Valid ID required to play. Access to PlaySafe Protected matchmaking is gated behind a valid PlaySafe ID. If a player's ID carries an active penalty, they're out, regardless of what account or Steam profile they're using.

Penalties carry weight across the network. A ban issued in one PlaySafe Protected game applies across the entire PlaySafe network. Cheaters can't sidestep consequences by switching to a different PlaySafe Protected game or server.

The result is a protected environment where every player you're matched with has been verified, has no active penalties, and has no easy way out if they choose to cheat.