{
  "id": 15780839,
  "title": "Helldivers 2 studio warns mods may break as it switches to new anti-cheat, and the negative reviews are dropping on Steam like Hellbombs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/helldivers-2-studio-warns-mods-may-break-as-it-switches-to-new-anti",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-20T18:19:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/games/third-person-shooter/helldivers-2-studio-warns-mods-may-break-as-it-switches-to-new-anti-cheat-and-the-negative-reviews-are-dropping-on-steam-like-hellbombs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Arrowhead Game Studios is transitioning Helldivers 2 from GameGuard to Easy Anti-Cheat, which may cause certain mods, particularly those without gameplay impact, to stop functioning. The studio has seen a rise in cheat mods and cannot guarantee the safety or usability of mods. While Arrowhead appreciates the creativity behind cosmetic and non-gameplay mods, it needs to improve protection against unfair advantages and negative impacts on other players. As of October 20, the company will switch to Easy Anti-Cheat, which it considers a more effective industry standard for game integrity protection. This change may result in some cosmetic mods being affected by the anti-cheat system, and players are advised to seek support if they encounter issues. The announcement has generated significant backlash in the Helldivers community, with over 1,500 negative reviews posted on Steam since its release.",
  "summary": "Arrowhead says Easy Anti-Cheat will be more effective in combatting recent cheat mods, but the change has resulted in more than 1,000 negative user reviews on Steam in a single day.",
  "key_points": [
    "Arrowhead Game Studios switching Helldivers 2 to Easy Anti-Cheat.",
    "Certain mods may stop functioning due to the transition.",
    "Over 1,500 negative reviews on Steam since release."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Rock Paper Shotgun",
        "title": "Helldivers 2's GameGuard cheat policing \"wasn't as effective as it could have been\", cue a switch to Easy Anti-Cheat as part of a crackdown on cheat mods",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/helldivers-2s-gameguard-cheat-policing-wasnt-as-effective-as-it-could",
        "published": "2026-10-20T09:32:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}