Activision Wins $14 Million Lawsuit Against Cheat Provider, EngineOwning
In a recent court ruling, Activision has emerged victorious in a lawsuit against cheat provider EngineOwning. The Californian judge presiding over the case has ordered EngineOwning to pay a hefty sum of $14,465,600 in damages to Activision, equating to $200 per cheat downloaded. This legal battle, which was initiated in 2022, has finally come to a close with a significant financial blow to the cheat provider. Additionally, EngineOwning has been slapped with over $290,000 in legal fees and has been mandated to surrender the ownership of its domain. The ruling marks a decisive victory for Activision, signaling a strong stance against cheating in the gaming community.
The Impact of EngineOwning on the Gaming Community
EngineOwning, known for providing cheats and hacks for various gaming titles, has particularly drawn attention for its offerings related to Call of Duty (CoD). Since its establishment in 2014, EngineOwning has catered to a significant portion of the CoD player base, offering illicit tools for enhancing gameplay. The court case revealed that over 72,000 users had downloaded and utilized hacks sourced from EngineOwning. This widespread usage of cheats has not gone unnoticed by Activision, leading to legal action aimed at curbing such practices within the gaming industry.
Cracking Down on Cheating: A Coordinated Effort by Developers
Activision’s successful lawsuit against EngineOwning serves as a stern warning to cheat makers and providers, reaffirming the developers’ commitment to combatting cheating in online gaming. Developers are increasingly taking proactive measures, not only by enhancing anti-cheat technologies but also by pursuing legal action against cheat distributors. Recent legal victories by Bungie and Riot Games against cheat providers like AimJunkies and Ring-1 underscore the collaborative efforts within the gaming industry to address the persistent issue of cheating. The message is clear: cheating will not be tolerated, and those involved in such activities will face consequences.
Continuing the Fight Against Cheating in CoD
While the battle against cheating in CoD is far from over, Activision’s decisive legal actions signal a steadfast commitment to upholding fair play in the gaming environment. The repercussions of engaging in cheating practices are severe, as demonstrated by the substantial damages awarded in the case against EngineOwning. As developers and publishers intensify their efforts to combat cheating, it sends a clear message to the gaming community: cheating will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable.