Survey Finds 80% of UK and US Gamers Have Faced Cheating in Online Games
London/New York — A new PlaySafe ID report reveals that cheating remains a major issue in online gaming, with 80% of gamers in the UK and U.S. saying they have encountered cheaters while playing. The survey, which included over 2,000 participants, sheds light on how widespread cheating is — and the damage it causes to both player trust and the gaming industry’s bottom line.
Cheating Is Driving Players Away from Games
The report found that 42% of gamers have quit a title entirely due to cheaters, while 55% have reduced or stopped in-game spending because of them. This is a significant revenue risk for studios, as it suggests that unchecked cheating directly impacts player engagement and monetization.
Gamers Want ‘Cheater-Free’ Environments
According to the survey, 83% of players would be more likely to play a game promoted as “cheater-free.” This indicates a clear opportunity for developers to attract and retain users by adopting effective anti-cheat solutions.
Willingness to Verify Identity for Fair Play
Surprisingly, 73% of respondents said they are open to verifying their identity if it helps create a fairer online gaming environment. This suggests strong community support for tougher measures against cheating, even if it means added steps for players.
Cross-Game Penalties Widely Supported
The study also revealed that 79% of gamers believe confirmed cheaters should face penalties across multiple games, not just the one they were caught cheating in. This reflects growing frustration within the gaming community and a desire for long-lasting consequences.
PlaySafe ID Calls for Transparent Anti-Cheat Measures
Andrew Wailes, founder and CEO of PlaySafe ID, stressed that cheating not only undermines the player experience but also causes significant financial harm to developers. He noted that the data shows players are aware of the problem and willing to help combat it, but emphasized that studios must now implement robust, transparent anti-cheat systems to win back trust.
80% of UK & U.S. gamers have faced cheating in online games.
42% have quit a game because of cheaters.
55% have reduced or stopped in-game purchases due to cheating.
83% want games advertised as “cheater-free.”
73% are willing to verify their identity for fair play.
79% support cross-game penalties for cheaters.
Developers urged to adopt transparent anti-cheat solutions.
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