EngineOwning – a previously successful Call of Duty cheat provider – must pay Activision Blizzard almost $15 million following a recent court judgement.
New court documents reveal there were approximately 72,328 downloads of EngineOwning cheat software. Activision Blizzard was seeking minimum statutory damages of $200 for each download, bringing the total owed by EngineOwning to $14,465,600.
EngineOwning’s software allowed users to bypass anti-cheat systems in Call of Duty and Overwatch. These systems are designed to eliminate the use of third-party software and exploits to preserve player experience.
Cheating is a constant frustration in online gaming – the issue is present in every multiplayer video game in some form or another. Call of Duty in particular faces an ongoing battle against cheaters, despite Activision Blizzard’s significant and widely-publicised efforts to combat malicious actors.
As part of the judgement, EngineOwning is also required to transfer its website domain to Activision Blizzard and pay $292,912 in legal fees.
EngineOwning has maintained a brazen social media presence in recent months despite legal action taken against the company.
It remains to be seen if the huge costs now owed by EngineOwning will be enough to deter other cheat providers going forward.
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