Riot Games is implementing a significant change to its Vanguard anti-cheat system, allowing it to operate "on demand" rather than launching at system startup. This update, which is set to go live, means Vanguard will only run during gameplay and will shut down once a gaming session concludes.
Vanguard, introduced in 2020, faced controversy due to its kernel-mode nature, which grants the software deep access to a user's PC. Previously, it ran continuously in the background. Now, players of League of Legends and Valorant will have the option for Vanguard to function similarly to other games' anti-cheat software, which terminates upon game closure.
According to Phillip Koskinas, Riot's anti-cheat chief, the "on-demand" mode will be available on "sufficiently secured PC devices." This condition means that Vanguard's driver component will not initiate at system start if the PC meets a set of modern security requirements. By utilizing pre-boot security mechanisms and native Windows protection features, Vanguard can then cease operation after gameplay.
Approximately 35% of Riot's player base already meets the criteria for Vanguard's new "Pre-Check" feature, and for these users, the on-demand option will appear automatically. For the remaining players, fulfilling the requirements will necessitate running Windows 11 version 25H2 or later, with UEFI Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, VBS, HVCI, and IOMMU enabled. While these technical settings may require adjustments in the PC's BIOS, Riot expects most users will be able to configure them.
An estimated 3% of Riot's players are on older hardware that cannot meet these prerequisites. For them, the on-demand option will not be available. Riot stated that it is not mandating hardware changes, indicating a willingness to wait for the broader PC ecosystem to mature.
Koskinas explained that the delay in offering an on-demand option was due to the recent development of sufficient built-in security features in Windows and PC hardware. He noted that advancements by Microsoft and PC equipment manufacturers in cryptographic verification of boot processes and the kernel, developed in collaboration with Microsoft's Xbox OS Security Team, have finally enabled this functionality.
Riot Games intends to continue evolving its anti-cheat measures in response to increasingly sophisticated cheating methods, including those potentially facilitated by AI. However, the company aims to prioritize user experience, stating a preference for incentives over requirements. Future checks may be added to Pre-Check, but optionality is expected to remain the standard, particularly outside of highly competitive scenarios, unusual devices, or the highest player ranks.