Activision cites data claiming cheating in games is an $8.5bn industry; 69% of online multiplayer studios consider cheating “a significant or very significant problem”
Activision’s anti-cheat division, Team Ricochet, has published data revealing that cheating in video games has become a massive underground industry worth approximately $8.5 billion annually. According to threat intelligence platform Intorqa, cheat developers alone earn around $3.5 billion per year from just 15 analyzed games, with the figure expanding to $8.5 billion when ancillary services—including account selling and spoofing—are factored in.
The scale of the problem is underscored by widespread industry concern: 69% of online multiplayer studios now consider cheating to be a “significant or very significant problem” for their operations. This reflects the ongoing challenge that anti-cheat measures face as cheating methods become increasingly sophisticated.
“Over the past three decades, cheating has transformed into a sophisticated and constantly evolving industry,” noted Anybrain CEO and co-founder in commentary on the findings. Activision’s Team Ricochet, which oversees Call of Duty’s anti-cheat efforts, has been actively working to combat this problem. The publication of this data appears designed to highlight both the scope of the industry challenge and the importance of dedicated anti-cheat initiatives in combating what has become a highly organized market.