Anti-Cheat System
Ensuring Fair Play for All Players
8-Bit Arcade uses multiple layers of anti-cheat protection to ensure fair competition and legitimate leaderboards. Cheaters are automatically detected and banned.
Why Anti-Cheat Matters
Protecting Fair Players
Without anti-cheat:
❌ Cheaters dominate leaderboards
❌ Legitimate players can't earn
❌ Rewards go to bots/exploiters
❌ Platform loses credibility
❌ Honest players quit
With anti-cheat:
✅ Skill-based competition
✅ Fair reward distribution
✅ Trust in leaderboards
✅ Sustainable long-term
✅ Real players win
Types of Cheating Prevented
Score Manipulation - Fake/impossible scores
Bot Automation - Scripts playing games
Client Modification - Altered game code
Replay Attacks - Resubmitting old scores
Multiple Accounts - One person, many wallets
Collusion - Coordinated unfair advantages
Anti-Cheat Layers
Layer 1: Client-Side Validation
Before score submission:
✅ Integrity Checks
Game code hasn't been modified
No browser console manipulation
No DevTools active during play
No injected scripts detected
✅ Gameplay Validation
Score matches game events
Timing is humanly possible
No impossible sequences
Input patterns are natural
✅ Environment Checks
Standard browser behavior
No automation tools detected
Normal frame rates
Expected network behavior
If checks fail:
Score rejected before submission
Warning message displayed
No gas fee charged
No blockchain transaction
Layer 2: Server-Side Verification
After score submission:
✅ Score Plausibility
Compare to historical data
Check against game limits
Verify math/calculations
Flag statistical outliers
✅ Timing Analysis
Game duration reasonable
Actions per second within human limits
No impossibly fast reactions
Consistent with score achieved
✅ Pattern Recognition
Compare to known bot patterns
Identify automation signatures
Detect repeated identical gameplay
Flag suspiciously perfect play
✅ Blockchain Verification
Wallet hasn't been flagged
No duplicate submissions
Transaction is valid
Timestamp within allowed window
If checks fail:
Score rejected (gas refunded)
Account flagged for review
May trigger investigation
Repeat offenses = ban
Layer 3: Statistical Analysis
Ongoing monitoring:
🔍 Anomaly Detection
Scores significantly above average
Sudden skill improvement (suspicious)
Perfect play patterns
Consistency beyond human capability
🔍 Multi-Account Detection
Similar play patterns from different wallets
Same IP address
Coordinated timing
Shared behavioral signatures
🔍 Temporal Patterns
24/7 play (not humanly sustainable)
No variation in performance
Identical timing across sessions
Bot-like consistency
🔍 Community Reports
Player-submitted reports
Multiple reports = priority review
Video evidence reviewed
Transparent investigation
If flagged:
Manual review by team
Evidence gathered
Decision made
Action taken if confirmed
Layer 4: Blockchain Immutability
Permanent record:
⛓️ All Submissions Recorded
Every score on-chain
Timestamped permanently
Cannot be altered retroactively
Publicly auditable
⛓️ Historical Analysis
Review past submissions
Identify patterns over time
Retroactive bans if cheating discovered
Forfeit all past rewards
⛓️ Transparent Enforcement
Ban reasons published
Evidence available
Appeals process exists
Community trust maintained
Specific Anti-Cheat Measures
Preventing Score Manipulation
How we detect:
Server validates score calculation
Compares events logged vs score claimed
Checks for impossible score jumps
Validates against game limits
Example:
Preventing Bot Automation
How we detect:
Input timing analysis (bots too consistent)
Mouse movement patterns (bots too perfect)
Reaction times (bots too fast/slow)
Behavioral signatures (human variance missing)
Red flags:
Perfect reaction time every time
Identical mouse movements across games
24/7 play with no breaks
No performance variance (fatigue, improvement)
Preventing Client Modification
How we detect:
Code integrity hashing
DevTools detection
Script injection monitoring
Memory analysis (if modified)
Common modifications attempted:
Slow down game speed
Give infinite lives
Auto-play scripts
Score multipliers
All detected and blocked.
Preventing Replay Attacks
How we detect:
Unique session IDs per game
Timestamps validated
Blockchain nonce checking
Cannot resubmit old scores
Example attack:
Preventing Multiple Accounts (Sybil Attacks)
How we detect:
IP address correlation
Behavioral pattern matching
Timing analysis across wallets
Device fingerprinting
Enforcement:
All associated accounts banned
Rewards forfeited
Wallets blacklisted
Permanent ban
Note: Multiple accounts are strictly prohibited, even if not cheating.
What Is NOT Considered Cheating
✅ Allowed Practices
Practice and Improvement:
Playing in practice mode extensively
Studying game mechanics
Watching other players
Learning from tutorials
Taking notes on strategies
Hardware and Environment:
Using gaming keyboard/mouse
High refresh rate monitor
Comfortable chair/desk
Optimal lighting
Ergonomic setup
Strategic Play:
Analyzing competitor scores
Timing submissions strategically
Playing during off-peak hours
Focusing on specific games
Risk/reward calculations
Multiple Attempts:
Playing same game many times
Submitting multiple scores (only best counts)
Practicing between submissions
Trying different strategies
Learning from failures
Community Resources:
Discussing strategies in Discord
Sharing tips publicly
Creating guides
Streaming gameplay
Helping other players
What IS Considered Cheating
❌ Prohibited Practices
Score Manipulation:
Modifying game code
Using browser console commands
Injecting scripts
Memory editing
Any form of score fakery
Automation:
Bots playing games
Auto-play scripts
Macros for inputs (gray area, see below)
AI playing on your behalf
Any automated gameplay
Multiple Accounts:
Creating multiple wallets for same person
Coordinating with alt accounts
Sybil attacks
Evading bans with new accounts
Account sharing/borrowing
Exploiting Bugs:
Intentionally using game glitches
Score duplication bugs
Infinite point exploits
Collision detection bugs
Any unintended advantage
Collusion:
Coordinating with others to manipulate leaderboards
Splitting rewards unfairly
Intentionally losing to help others
Trading wins/losses
Any coordinated unfair advantage
Macros & Scripts (Gray Area)
Keyboard Macros
Simple macros (usually OK):
✅ Remapping keys (Ctrl to Space)
✅ Single action shortcuts
✅ Accessibility adaptations
Complex macros (NOT OK):
❌ Automated key sequences
❌ Frame-perfect inputs
❌ Reaction time scripts
❌ Any gameplay automation
Rule of Thumb: If it plays the game for you, it's cheating. If it just makes controls more comfortable, it's OK.
When in Doubt
Ask first:
Email: [email protected]
Discord: #support channel
Better to ask than risk ban
Reporting Cheaters
How to Report
If you suspect someone is cheating:
Gather Evidence
Username/wallet address
Game and date
Score in question
Why you think it's cheating
Screenshots/video if possible
Submit Report
Or Discord: #report-cheating channel
Or Email: [email protected]
Investigation
Team reviews within 48 hours
Evidence gathered
Decision made
Reporter notified
What happens next:
Valid report: Cheater banned, reporter thanked
Invalid report: No action, reporter informed
False reports (malicious): Reporter may face penalties
Bounties for Reporting
Future Feature (Phase 3):
Earn 8BIT for valid cheating reports
First reporter gets bounty
Incentivizes community policing
Must provide evidence
Penalties for Cheating
First Offense (Minor)
Example: Using DevTools briefly, no score submitted
Penalty:
Warning message
Submission blocked
No ban (yet)
Logged for future reference
Second Offense (Moderate)
Example: Attempted score manipulation detected
Penalty:
7-day account suspension
All scores from that day removed
Warning email sent
Next offense = permanent ban
Major Offense (Severe)
Example: Bot automation, multiple accounts, serious exploits
Penalty:
Permanent ban
All rewards forfeited
Wallet blacklisted across all games
Past rewards clawed back (if possible)
Public notice (serious cases)
Ban Evasion
Creating new account after ban:
Penalty:
New account immediately banned
Original ban extended
IP address blacklisted
Legal action possible (if fraud involved)
Appeals Process
If You Believe You Were Banned Unfairly
Steps to appeal:
Submit Appeal
Email: [email protected]
Include: Wallet address, date of ban, explanation
Provide evidence of innocence
Wait for response (7 days)
Review Process
Different team member reviews case
Fresh look at evidence
May request additional info
Decision made
Outcome
Appeal granted: Ban lifted, apology issued, rewards restored
Appeal denied: Ban remains, explanation provided
Appeal denied (final): No further appeals
Note: Appeals rarely succeed unless genuine technical error occurred. Most bans are accurate.
Technical Safeguards
What We DON'T Access
Privacy protection:
❌ Don't access your wallet
❌ Don't read other browser tabs
❌ Don't access personal files
❌ Don't track outside our platform
❌ Don't sell data
Only collected:
Gameplay data
Scores and timing
Device type (not specific ID)
IP address (for security only)
Blockchain transactions (public anyway)
Open Source Components
Transparency:
Game logic is open source (GitHub)
Anti-cheat specifics are private (to prevent evasion)
Smart contracts verified on Arbiscan
Community can audit token distribution
FAQ
Q: I got a warning for using DevTools. Why? A: DevTools can modify game behavior. Close DevTools before playing to avoid issues.
Q: Can I use multiple monitors? A: Yes, that's fine. Use one for game, one for leaderboard, etc.
Q: My friend and I play from same house. Will we get flagged? A: Possibly flagged for review, but if legitimate, no ban. Just explain if contacted.
Q: I stream gameplay. Does recording software trigger anti-cheat? A: No, recording is fine. OBS, Streamlabs, etc. are allowed.
Q: What if there's a bug that helps me score higher? A: Report it immediately. Using it intentionally is cheating. Reporting is rewarded.
Q: Are hardware advantages unfair? A: No. Better equipment is allowed. Skill matters more than gear.
Q: Someone is cheating but hasn't been banned yet. Why? A: Investigations take time. Report it and be patient. Ban waves happen.
Q: Can I appeal a permanent ban? A: Yes, one appeal allowed. But permanent bans are rarely overturned.
Q: How do I know the anti-cheat isn't wrong? A: Multiple layers with human review. But if error occurs, appeals process exists.
Staying Safe from False Positives
Best Practices
✅ Do:
Play in normal browser tab
Close DevTools completely
Use standard input devices
Play honestly
Report bugs if found
❌ Don't:
Open browser console during games
Use automation tools
Modify any code
Use VPNs excessively (occasional use OK)
Share accounts
If you play fairly, you have nothing to worry about.
Continuous Improvement
Anti-Cheat Updates
System improves over time:
New cheat methods identified
Detection algorithms updated
Community feedback integrated
Machine learning improvements
Regular audits
Stay informed:
Discord announcements
Email updates (if banned/warned)
Public changelog (non-sensitive parts)
Community Responsibility
We All Benefit from Fair Play
Your role:
Play honestly
Report cheaters
Don't help cheaters
Encourage fair play
Trust the system
Our role:
Detect and ban cheaters
Protect legitimate players
Transparent enforcement
Fair appeals process
Continuous improvement
Together: We maintain a fair, competitive, rewarding platform for everyone.
Next Steps
Game Library - Play fair, play games
Leaderboards - Compete honestly
Daily Rewards - Earn fairly
Start Playing - Good luck!
Fair play is the foundation of 8-Bit Arcade. Cheaters will be caught and banned. Play honest, compete hard, earn rewards.
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