Activision targets the manufacturer of the Cronus Zen device as part of its ongoing effort to combat cheating in its most popular and recent titles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. This is aimed at protecting the player’s experience in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone from unfair advantages.

Cheaters have appeared in multiple Call of Duty titles, and Activision has been – and continues to be – engaged in an ongoing fight against the problem. In response, the publisher introduced its own RICOCHET anti-cheat system, which implements constant ban waves and various mitigation measures to restrain unfair play. However, hardware-based tools like the Cronus Zen pose a separate challenge. This external USB device can be easily connected to a console or PC to gain unfair gameplay advantages. Unlike software-based hacks, its accessibility and widespread popularity make it harder to control.

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Activision has issued a cease and desist letter to the makers of Cronus hardware, according to CharlieIntel. Cronus Zen devices are widely used by cheaters due to their affordability and easy availability at major retailers, making them more accessible than many cheating software alternatives. However, the company isn’t stopping with Cronus Zen. It also confirmed that it has sent cease and desist notices to multiple companies involved in developing or distributing software that modifies Call of Duty titles for the user’s advantage. It also made clear that it’s prepared to take legal action if necessary to protect the integrity of the game.

Activision Targets Cronus Zen After Cracking Down on Several Cheat Providers

Since the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Activision has shut down 150 cheat makers and resellers. Notably, five of these were disrupted with the Season 3 update. To strengthen defenses against common cheating tactics, such as creating new accounts, the RICOCHET team has enhanced the Account Linking policy. This update helps protect long-standing accounts while targeting and banning users who repeatedly create new ones. Additionally, both Black Ops 6 and Warzone now feature Death Widget UI elements, allowing players to see how they were eliminated in-game, reducing confusion and speculation.

With the release of RICOCHET Anti-Cheat, the number of cheaters in Call of Duty has dropped, allowing many players to enjoy a fairer experience in Call of Duty titles. While most players understand how difficult it is to completely eliminate hackers – an issue also seen in games like Fortnite and Valorant – they agree that the current state has improved noticeably compared to the period before the system was introduced alongside Warzone. That said, many believe there’s still room for improvement to ensure a fully clean Call of Duty experience and eliminate unfair deaths caused by cheating. The recent shutdown of Cronus Zen is seen as a major positive step toward that goal.