Cheating in FPS: A New Study Uncovers the 3 Main Psychological Triggers
It is the number one scourge of competitive shooters. From Battlefield and Call of Duty to the newest hit Arc Raiders, developers are fighting a never-ending war against hackers. But what drives players to risk a ban for a virtual win? Science has found some surprising psychological triggers.
The Massive War on Cheaters
It’s the same old story with every new competitive shooter launch. Whether it’s Call of Duty, Battlefield, or the recent Arc Raiders, they all face their worst nightmare.
During the beta of Battlefield 6, EA’s anti-cheat systems recorded over 330,000 cheating attempts. That was just a warm-up. Since launch, the studio reports blocking nearly 2.4 million attempts. Fortunately, the teams offer some reassurance: reportedly, only 2% of matches are actually affected by this plague.
However, cheaters adapt quickly. Over on Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, the Ricochet system has proven its worth. During testing phases, 97% of cheaters were caught red-handed within thirty minutes.
Activision isn’t stopping there; they are hitting them where it hurts—their wallets. Since the release of Black Ops 7, the publisher has forced the shutdown of 40 cheat software developers.
Arc Raiders Chooses Extreme Punishment
The developers at Embark Studios chose a more punitive, almost sadistic approach for Arc Raiders. With Update 1.4.0, they booby-trapped locked rooms.
If a player attempts to enter illegitimately via a glitch or hack, the punishment is immediate. The cheater is instantly incinerated by the game. A swift method that sends a crystal-clear message!
But beyond technical tools, one question remains: what drives a player to risk a ban for a virtual advantage?
📡 Attention, Raiders! Speranza security is flagging locked-room tricksters and Toro-trigger fingers moving faster than they should.
Good news; the 1.4.0 update brings a little ‘attitude adjustment’ for all boundary-pushing Raiders. The kind that leaves you feeling… deep fried… pic.twitter.com/7EzyzhXfl8 — ARC Raiders (@ARCRaidersGame) November 27, 2025
The Psychology of a Cheater
To understand the why, we have to turn to science. Researchers at Konkuk University conducted an in-depth study on 329 League of Legends players to pinpoint exactly what triggers the urge to hack or exploit bugs.
The first major finding is that competitive drive fuels the fire. The higher the competitive motivation, the greater the temptation to cheat. The pressure to perform, combined with time-limited rewards like Battle Passes, pushes players to break the rules.
However, the study reveals a darker, more powerful factor: aggression.
Hostility and anger often outweigh the simple desire to win. For these players, using illegal software is a mechanism to vent negative emotions or regain a sense of control after a crushing defeat.
Low Self-Esteem and the Need to Dominate
The researchers also highlighted a direct link to confidence. Players with low self-esteem are significantly more inclined to cheat. In this context, cheating becomes a “crutch”—a way to avoid facing failure and artificially boost a fragile ego.
Other studies, reported by The Guardian in 2021, suggest three further fascinating drivers:
- Entitlement: The player feels they “deserve” the victory, by any means necessary.
- Griefing (Anarchy): The goal isn’t to win, but simply to break the game and ruin the experience for everyone else.
- Evolutionary Efficiency: Our brains are naturally wired to seek the path of least resistance to surpass a rival—cheating is simply the shortest route.
Finally, gaming culture itself shares some responsibility. Classic magazines filled with “cheat codes” normalized the idea of bypassing rules for fun. Today, that line is blurred. Studies show that “extrinsic” motivation (playing for rewards) promotes cheating, while “intrinsic” motivation (playing for fun) reduces it.
In Conclusion
Cheating remains a complex phenomenon, sitting at the crossroads of narcissism, frustration, and the very design of our modern games. As long as the pressure of rewards exists, developers will have to continue their technological war.
What about you? Have you encountered blatant cheaters in your recent matches? Tell us about your worst experiences in the comments!
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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