Riot’s Vanguard Anti-Cheat: The New On-Demand Security Feature

Riot Games Introduces On-Demand Mode for Vanguard Anti-Cheat Software

Riot Games, the developers behind popular games like League of Legends and Valorant, have recently announced a new optional “on demand” mode for their Vanguard anti-cheat software. This new mode allows Vanguard to run only when a specific game that requires it is launched, ensuring it shuts down once the game is exited. Previously, Vanguard would start running in the background as soon as the PC is turned on.

What Is On-Demand Mode?

Phillip Koskinas, Riot’s head of anti-cheat, explained in a statement that Vanguard’s on-demand mode will now support sessions on PCs that meet certain modern security requirements. This means Vanguard’s driver component will no longer launch at system startup, but will only activate when necessary for gameplay. This change aims to give users more control over when the anti-cheat software is active, while also optimizing system performance.

To enable on-demand mode, users must ensure their hardware meets Riot’s Vanguard Pre-Check requirements. Approximately 35% of Riot’s player base already have modern hardware that meets these criteria, allowing them to switch to on-demand mode immediately.

Hardware Requirements for On-Demand Mode

For those who need to make adjustments to their PC settings, Windows 11 25H2 or later is required, along with enabling UEFI mode, secure boot, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity, and Input-Output Memory Management Unit. Updating the BIOS may also be necessary to pass the Vanguard Pre-Check.

Koskinas noted that about 3% of Riot’s players are on older hardware that may not meet the Pre-Check requirements, meaning they will not have access to on-demand mode unless they upgrade their systems. For these users, the default always-on Vanguard mode will remain the only option.

Future Plans for Vanguard Security

While the introduction of on-demand mode aims to provide flexibility for players, Riot emphasizes the importance of ensuring secure endpoints for competitive online gaming. Koskinas stated that the Pre-Check serves as a “proof-of-life” layer for gaming, with plans to potentially add more checks in the future. However, Riot intends to keep these security measures optional for players until they reach the highest competitive levels.

Despite ongoing concerns about Vanguard’s access to players’ PCs, the new on-demand mode offers an alternative to the omnipresent always-on version. Players can choose to opt-in or stick with the existing mode based on their preferences and hardware capabilities.

Overall, Riot Games’ implementation of on-demand mode for Vanguard represents a step towards balancing security and user control in online gaming environments.