Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 to deploy new anti-cheat technology

Activision's RICOCHET anti-cheat team has unveiled a new technology, dubbed "Server Culling," set to be implemented in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. This new system aims to combat cheating, particularly "wallhack" exploits, by restricting the source of information used by such programs.

Traditionally, wallhack cheats function by accessing player position data that multiplayer servers send to game clients. Cheat software reads this data, allowing cheaters to see opponents through in-game obstacles. Server Culling is designed to limit these cheats at the data source. The technology works by ensuring that servers only send positional data to a player's device when that player would, according to the game's mechanics, be able to know the enemy's location.

Under the new system, if an opponent is not within a player's line of sight or otherwise within their expected knowledge based on gameplay, the server will withhold that opponent's positional data. Without receiving this data, cheat software cannot display information it has not been provided.

Developers stated that each map in Modern Warfare 4 will include additional layers of occlusion detection to assist servers in determining which positional data should not be shared. Activision confirmed that Server Culling will be deployed not only on Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer maps but also in Warzone and subsequent new maps. The game is scheduled for release in October 2026 across PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.