"It Affects 40 to 50% of Matches": This Esports Pioneer Rings the Alarm on the Rise of Cheating
Cheating is a plague infecting servers across the globe—a persistent shadow over multiplayer games. And when a legend like Minh Le, co-creator of Counter-Strike, sounds the alarm, the industry would do well to listen.
Online cheating is no longer just an annoyance—it’s become a systemic threat to competitive gaming experiences. In an exclusive interview with Gaming World Media, Minh Le passionately and clearly revisits an issue that’s plagued games for over two decades. And in his view, the situation has never been more critical.
Image credit: Les Aventures Ludiques
A Widespread Epidemic
Minh Le doesn’t mince words: for him, cheating in multiplayer games is now a full-blown epidemic. He recalls a time when encountering a cheater was rare—today, it’s almost expected.
“Twenty years ago, you’d run into a cheater 5 to 10% of the time. Now, in some matches, it’s 40 to 50%!”
— Minh Le, co-creator of Counter-Strike
That staggering number reflects a harsh reality: cheaters are ruining the gaming experience for millions around the world. Whether you’re a developer or a passionate player, no one is immune.
An Endless Struggle for Developers
Minh Le remembers the early days at Valve, when the team was already battling cheaters, hiring bright minds to try to stay one step ahead. Even back then, it felt like an endless chess match against a faceless opponent.
The problem? Developers constantly have to adapt to increasingly sophisticated cheat software. Shut one site down, and another pops up instantly. It’s a vicious cycle—like battling a hydra that grows two new heads for every one you cut off.
Radical Measures Around the World
In the face of this digital chaos, some countries are stepping up. In South Korea, for example, cheating is treated as a serious offense, with harsh penalties. Player identification is mandatory, and cheaters can be banned nationwide.
“If you get caught cheating in Korea, it’s a big deal,” Minh Le emphasizes. Measures like these could inspire other parts of the world to take the issue seriously—and finally give developers some breathing room in this endless digital war.
Why PvE Is Gaining Ground
In this challenging context, many studios are turning to solo or co-op experiences against AI. PvE (Player versus Environment) is becoming a solid alternative for those looking to avoid the frustration caused by cheaters.
At its core, gaming should be about fair play, healthy competition, and respect for the rules. As long as cheating plagues online servers, that vision remains just out of reach. But Minh Le still believes—clear-eyed, yet hopeful—that the industry will eventually find lasting solutions.
