Star Citizen issues "large wave" of bans in response to an increase in cheating

Star Citizen cheating is on the rise, the space game's developer Cloud Imperium Games says in a new update, forcing the studio to tighten its anti-cheat measures. In a new post on its forum, Spectrum, lead community manager Ulf Kürschner says CIG will be stiffening its anti-cheat measures, with a large ban wave already sent out and stricter countermeasures planned to handle the giant MMO's larger player base.

"We've observed a recent increase in exploits and cheating in-game and want to acknowledge everyone who's taken the time to report these issues," Kürschner writes on the Star Citizen forum. 13 years since its initial kickstarter campaign and eight on from its early-access launch, CIG's ambitious project continues to rival our best space games with a colossal amount of funding. In just 2024 alone, it counted $114 million dollars in crowdfunding and pledges, and its total raised passed the $800 million mark in April.

Naturally, Cloud Imperium doesn't want those players having their experience troubled by bad actors, and that means some changes in strategy. "Historically, we've taken a more relaxed approach to third-party tools," Kürschner explains. "This was intentional, allowing space for community-driven efforts like localization, VR integrations, and other creative contributions. However, with our growing player base and increased engagement, we've reached a new threshold - one where exploiters see greater opportunity in targeting the game."

"In response to the recent spike in abuse, we'll be tightening our anti-cheat measures to better protect both the integrity of the game and the experience for the broader community that continues to shape it," Kürschner continues. They also stress that action has already been taken in some cases: "While we won't be sharing specifics, we want to reassure you that recent updates have already made a substantial impact. We've also issued a large wave of account bans and will continue to take enforcement actions as needed."

Kürschner reminds players that the early-access nature of Star Citizen isn't an excuse. "Exploiting or cheating is strictly against our terms, regardless of intent or the current stage of development. We understand some users may be experimenting, acting out of curiosity, or believe they're helping expose issues - but even these actions can be disruptive and damaging to the game. This behavior can lead to serious consequences, up to and including permanent account closure."

In closing, Kürschner says Cloud Imperium will take "whatever steps are necessary to ensure fair play," and thanks users for reporting issues they encounter while playing. If you're curious about seeing how far the game has come, a free fly event is currently running as part of the ongoing Foundation Festival, allowing you to get a taste of the action.

Alternatively, try another of the best simulation games in 2025, or take a look through the best multiplayer games if you love the experience of a shared world.

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