In its ongoing arms race against cheaters, Riot Games has introduced a strict new security requirement for VALORANT players. The developer is now forcing certain “restricted” users to update their PC’s BIOS/UEFI firmware to the latest version to mitigate sophisticated memory-based exploits that bypass traditional anti-cheat measures.
The move, powered by Riot’s kernel-level security software Vanguard, marks one of the most aggressive hardware-level security enforcements in mainstream gaming history.
Targeting Firmware Vulnerabilities
The core of the issue lies in older or unpatched BIOS versions from various motherboard manufacturers. These versions contain specific vulnerabilities that allow malicious software to manipulate system memory before the operating system and Vanguard even fully loads. By exploiting these “niche” bugs, cheaters can run scripts that remain invisible to standard detection methods.
Currently, this requirement is not universal. Riot is specifically targeting “Restricted” players individuals whose hardware IDs or system configurations closely mirror those used by known cheaters. According to Riot, these specific PC setups are often a deliberate choice by bad actors to facilitate hardware-level cheating.
The Path to High-Rank Enforcement
While the mandate currently affects a small percentage of the player base, Riot has signaled that this is just the beginning. The company is exploring making BIOS updates mandatory for all players in the highest competitive tiers: Ascendant, Immortal, and Radiant.
This potential rollout could extend beyond VALORANT to Riot’s other major titles, including League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics. The goal is to ensure that the pinnacle of competitive play is protected by the highest possible hardware security standards, such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which are already standard for Windows 11 users.
Inclusivity vs. Integrity
The new policy has raised concerns regarding accessibility. Riot has built its massive global success by ensuring its games run on low-end hardware, particularly in emerging markets. Many older PCs are physically incapable of supporting the latest security-focused BIOS updates, meaning a “hard block” could effectively ban legitimate players with aging systems.
However, Riot appears to be betting that players serious enough to reach the top 1% of the leaderboard are also likely to invest in modern, secure hardware. For now, the “slippery slope” remains a topic of debate: if BIOS updates successfully clear cheaters from Radiant ranks, the pressure to implement them across lower ranks will only increase.