Delta Force Launches With Anti-Cheat Backlash
The revival of the classic Delta Force franchise made waves as it hit Steam—but not for the reasons the developers likely hoped. Instead of nostalgia and excitement, what followed was a surge of negative reactions focusing on one specific issue: the game’s anti-cheat system.
Online discussions, particularly on Reddit’s r/linux_gaming, have lit up with accusations of “kernel-level spyware”, privacy violations, and a general sense of betrayal. Welcome to yet another chapter in the growing debate around privacy vs fair play in competitive gaming.
Delta Force Anti-Cheat Controversy
At the heart of the controversy is the Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) system bundled with the game. While many modern multiplayer games require anti-cheat software to prevent hacking and ensure competitive integrity, ACE has drawn ire due to its aggressive, kernel-level access—a level of system control often reserved for the most trusted software.
For Linux users, this has only made things worse. As expected, ACE does not support Linux, locking out a large portion of the open-source community from even playing the game.
What Is Anti-Cheat Expert and Why It’s Controversial
ACE, or Anti-Cheat Expert, is not widely known in the West, but it is used in some Chinese-developed titles. It operates with kernel-level privileges, meaning it installs components that interact with the core of your operating system. This gives it deep access to user data and hardware interactions, allowing it to monitor for cheating—but also potentially opening the door to abuse.
And that’s the issue: most users don’t trust anti-cheat software operating this deep in their systems, especially when it comes from companies with opaque governance and privacy policies.
Why Kernel-Level Anti-Cheat Sparks Privacy Fears
Let’s be clear: kernel-level anti-cheat is not inherently malicious. But it’s a privacy minefield. Once a program has access to your system’s kernel, it can monitor nearly everything you do—from running applications to system memory and hardware drivers.
Critics compare it to installing a rootkit voluntarily, simply to access a video game. If that makes you uneasy, you’re not alone. Many are asking, “Is the trade-off worth it?”
No Support for Linux: The Open-Source Community Pushback
Linux gamers—already a marginalized group in AAA gaming—have voiced frustration. In the Reddit thread here, users lamented the lack of Linux support and the hostile attitude such anti-cheat systems bring to open platforms.
The inability to run Delta Force through Proton or Wine effectively locks out Linux players entirely, reinforcing the idea that anti-cheat systems are actively hostile to open-source gaming.
LoL, Valorant, and the Double Standards Debate
One Redditor aptly pointed out the irony: Riot’s Vanguard (used in Valorant) also employs a kernel-level anti-cheat. Riot is owned by Tencent—a major Chinese tech conglomerate—just like Delta Force’s developer is connected to China-based TiMi Studio.
Yet Valorant’s adoption was met with far less resistance after launch, at least by the mainstream. Why? Maybe familiarity breeds complacency. Or perhaps people are finally waking up to the long-term consequences of such systems.
Reddit and Steam Reviews Call Out ‘Spyware’ Concerns
Steam reviews have become a battleground, with many negative ratings citing privacy concerns, system stability issues, and Linux incompatibility. Some reviews outright accuse the game of being “spyware,” warning others to avoid installing it.
One user wrote:
“I don’t care how fun the game is, I’m not installing a rootkit to play a shooter.”
Is Delta Force Being Upfront About Its Anti-Cheat?
Transparency is a huge issue here. While the presence of ACE is noted, many players feel blindsided after discovering what the system actually does. Unlike Riot, which openly discusses its anti-cheat at length, Delta Force’s team has offered little explanation or reassurance to worried players.
The Growing Tension Between Security and Surveillance
The question isn’t whether anti-cheat is necessary—it is. But how much control are we willing to give up for a fair game? Kernel-level access is effective against cheats, sure, but it also opens the door to surveillance, data collection, and even system instability.
Will This Hurt Delta Force’s Player Base?
It’s still early days, but the anti-cheat backlash is clearly denting Delta Force’s reputation. If Linux users and privacy-conscious gamers stay away, the game may struggle to maintain its momentum, especially in an already competitive market.
Can We Have Effective Yet Non-Invasive Anti-Cheat?
Some believe server-side solutions, behavior tracking, and AI-assisted detection offer safer alternatives. These don’t need kernel access and are less invasive, though perhaps less effective against advanced cheats.
The balance hasn’t been perfected, but more transparency and optional toggles would go a long way in rebuilding trust.
Steam’s Role in All of This
Should Steam label kernel-level anti-cheat more clearly on game listings? Maybe. Many users feel blindsided, installing what they thought was a game—only to find a deeply embedded system process running in the background.
Are We Selective About Which Companies We Trust?
The Reddit thread touches on an important contradiction:
Why do players rage at Delta Force but shrug off Vanguard?
Is it a branding issue? A visibility problem? Or just fatigue?
Has Delta Force’s Team Responded to the Backlash?
At the time of writing, no official response has been posted on Steam or the Delta Force website. This silence may backfire—players want acknowledgment and reassurance, not evasion.
How Anti-Cheat Issues Are Affecting Steam Ratings
Currently, Delta Force’s Steam rating has dipped due to the controversy. The anti-cheat concerns have become the dominant narrative in early reviews, overshadowing discussion about gameplay, graphics, or nostalgia.
What This Means for Delta Force and Its Legacy
Once a beloved tactical shooter franchise, Delta Force now enters a modern age of gaming politics—one where players are more aware, more vocal, and more cautious about what they install.
How this plays out will likely shape the game’s long-term success—or its downfall.
FAQs on the Delta Force Anti-Cheat Controversy
What is Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE)?
A kernel-level anti-cheat used in Delta Force, developed in China.
Why are players upset?
Due to privacy concerns, system-level access, and lack of Linux support.
Does Delta Force run on Linux?
No. The anti-cheat system blocks it from working on Proton or Wine.
Is this like Riot’s Vanguard?
Yes. Both operate at kernel-level, but Vanguard has better documentation and community dialogue.
Can I uninstall the anti-cheat?
Not without losing access to the game.
Gaming at the Cost of Privacy: The Delta Force Debate
Delta Force may have returned, but it’s not just facing rival squads—it’s fighting a war of trust. As more players speak up, developers must decide: Is enforcing fairness worth alienating your audience? And how much are gamers willing to trade for a few hours of play?
Because in the end, no killstreak is worth your privacy.