Riot Games has introduced a new Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) system via its Riot Mobile app, a major step forward in the fight against smurfing in VALORANT. The beta program, launched on September 16th in North America, Latin America, Brazil, and Korea, is the firm’s most extensive anti-smurfing measure to date.
Targeting High-Risk Accounts
The mobile verification requirement is directly aimed at Ascendant-tier players and up, as well as suspicious activity accounts. This tactical measure targets the most skilled players who can dish out the most competitive harm while smurfing in lower-tier matches. Players who qualify under these criteria need to download and verify via the Riot Mobile app in order to continue playing ranked gameplay.
The system works by asking users to go through a one-time verification process when suspicious behavior is noticed. These include accounts that are suspected of being shared, bought, or used for boosting services – all terms against Riot’s Terms of Service. The company also revealed that from patch 11.09, they will ban accounts that are found to be purchased or caught for boosting.
Improved Detection and Enforcement
Riot’s strategy goes beyond mere phone verification. The firm has built advanced behavioral analysis tools that probe player performance stats, such as headshot rates, reaction time, and movement, to identify experienced players on new accounts. These detection tools can differentiate old-school shooter players from true newcomers by inspecting subtle gameplay indicators that are out of sync with an account’s perceived level of excellence.
The system also uses hardware-based identification techniques that monitor accounts from one login session to another, making it much more difficult for frequent offenders to avoid detection by switching accounts. The technology assists in identifying patterns of behaviors that are considered problematic, such as account sharing, pay-for-promotion services, and concerted deranking strategies.
The Way to the Right Direction?
The announcement has received divided reactions among the VALORANT community. Although numerous players are in favor of more anti-smurfing initiatives, others are questioning why the requirements were not applied to every competitive rank. Some critics perceive that smurfing is most common in gold and below lobbies, where the new restrictions could have little effect.
Players complained that the mobile verification process only requires the primary accounts of top-ranked players, as opposed to being aimed at the smurf accounts themselves. Others are concerned that persistent registration smurfers will simply utilize alternate phone numbers or other forms of verification to bypass the measures.
While these have their limitations, the mobile verification beta is a positive step in dealing with competitive integrity issues that have plagued VALORANT’s ranked environment for so long.