CALL of Duty is forcing some gamers to hand over their phone number before they can play Warzone.
It’s a bid to boost account security – but also a clever way to prevent cheaters from abusing the system.
Activision is now enforcing two-factor authentication for some users.
It means when gamers want to log on, they’ll need to enter a special one-time code received via text message.
This “second step” is a great way to keep hackers from accessing your account, even if they had your password.
But this will also prevent cheaters who have been banned from making new free accounts over and over.
“We have initiated two-step SMS authentication for new Warzone PC users, who log in as free-to-play as another step to provide an additional layer of security for players,” Infinity Ward said in a tweet.
Notably, the change only affects PC gamers – specifically new players joining the game.
And it won’t affect you if you’re accessing Warzone after purchasing the main Call of Duty game, as opposed to being a completely free player.
Part of the problem for Activision is that it’s very difficult to stop banned cheaters from constantly making new Warzone accounts.
By forcing new Warzone players on PC – who haven’t purchased the main game – to hand over their phone number, bans are much more enforceable.
It means Activision can get a much better handle on the cheating problem that appears to be plaguing Warzone.
Just last month, Call of Duty began matching suspected cheaters with each other in Multiplayer and Warzone.
And if a cheater that you report ends up being banned, you’ll be notified.
