Column: Has EA Killed WRC With Latest Anti-cheat Update?

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Images: EA Sports
In the latest EA Sports WRC update, 1.9.0, the new EA anti-cheat technology was added. Security issues and privacy violations have been listed as just two of the potential issues with this new mandatory anti-cheat update.

EA Sports WRC has been in hot water ever since the latest update dropped on PC. The update included the latest variant of EA's anti-cheat that ruins the online aspect of WRC for Steamdeck users and potentially compromises every PC that the game is installed on...

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Hyundai Rally1 WRC.

What is the new EA anti-cheat?​

The truth about the EA anti-cheat is that is it what is known as 'Kernel malware'. This virus is installed with an external program, like a video game, and gives the owner full access to a PC.

EA has specifically stated that the technology will be limited to just the anti-cheat abilities. Unfortunately, EA does not have a good track record with their invasive game updates. The security of the EA anti-cheat is also a huge risk. The program links all accounts together, so if a hacker gets in they will have access to any data they want.


Flocks of players are leaving and uninstalling the game because of this security risk. EA Sports has yet to remove this new invasion of privacy, but with players actively rioting on X, surely it is only a matter of time?

Is This a Security Risk?​

The short answer is, it could be. The power of this anti-cheat Facaded malware is that it latches onto your PC from its core. It has access to all of your files, folders and even website cookies and history. It could corrupt your files or even worse, your operating system. This would effectively write your PC off and everything on it as well.

EA have a history of weak coding protection protocols and an even worse reputation for general security. These breaches could have catastrophic consequences in a worst-case scenario. For a more detailed breakdown of this software, check out the video below.


So what is the fix? It is as simple as you are thinking. Revert the system and remove the kernel malware from the game and the player's PC. Nobody signed up to have this software installed on their computer when they bought the game, so EA needs to rethink its implementation of this anti-cheat software.

Broken Platforms and Features​

The other major impact this update has is on SteamDeck players. This new update completely breaks the game for those users. This new anti-cheat is a fully built-in house piece of software that replaces and removes the title's compatibility with anything that isn't Windows, like Linux and SteamOS for example.

The other big hit is for the VR players. VR was one of the flagship aspects of the game throughout its first few months. With a game as immersive and detailed as WRC, not fixing the VR issues is a massive slap in the face for those who play the game in that way.

We really want to hear from you, our community, about how this will affect your opinion of EA and their WRC game as a whole. Let us know in the comments below!
About author
Connor Minniss
Website Content Editor & Motorsport Photographer aiming to bring you the best of the best within the world of sim racing.

Comments

I have not touched it since they added this... And i dont think i ever will touch it again unless they remove it

Back to Dirt Rally 2.0 for me
i hear wrc generations or other older wrc games can be good when modded, is this true, cause i havent came across much more info other than a few youtube clips?
 
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i hear wrc generations or other older wrc games can be good when modded, is this true, cause i havent came across much more info other than a few youtube clips?

WRC Generations is still a great rally sim, as is Dirt Rally 2.
Both are better and safer to use than this newer EA crap.

They're also far cheaper to buy on Steam.
Especially with places like Eneba and Kinguin, with fully legit Steam keys at much lower prices.
Well worth getting both WRCG and DR2, I say.
 
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Club Staff
Premium
A month later
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The game was on sale on the winter sale in Dec/Jan, Lunar Sale in Feb, for 2 weeks in March, for 2 weeks in April/May, The summer sale in June/July and for two weeks in August.
So the game is regularly on sale, so a sale doesn't solely explain the June - Now numbers.

With that being said, it's poor numbers overall.
 

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