Modern Warfare 4 will launch with 70,000 hardware bans already in place as Activision tightens anti-cheat
Ahead of MW4's 23 October launch, Activision has issued over 70,000 hardware bans, requires TPM 2.0 on PC and is changing how Double XP works.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is less than a month away, and Activision is using the run-up to launch to clamp down on cheaters. Team RICOCHET, the series' anti-cheat unit, says it has issued more than 70,000 new hardware bans that will carry straight into the new game, GosuGamers reports.
Infinity Ward's MW4 launches on 23 October 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.
Why hardware bans matter
An account ban is easy to get around: a cheater simply makes a new account. A hardware ban targets the machine itself, so a banned player cannot start again on a fresh account using the same hardware. Carrying these bans over means that players already caught in the current Call of Duty games will be blocked on day one of MW4.
For anyone who plays ranked, that is the headline. Cheating damages competitive modes more than casual ones, and a cleaner launch gives honest players a fairer shot at climbing the ladder.
Cronus Zen and XIM in the crosshairs
RICOCHET also says it has banned about 5,000 accounts for cheating with input-modifying devices such as Cronus Zen and XIM Matrix. Console players have complained about these adapters for years. The team's message was blunt: "Using Cronus Zen, XIM Matrix or similar tools to cheat is not allowed."
GosuGamers notes an important detail: owning one of these devices does not trigger an automatic ban. Enforcement is based on how the device is used in matches.
PC players: check your settings
MW4 needs TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled for online play on PC. RICOCHET said these features "help create a trusted security foundation" for its anti-cheat system.
The requirement has caused some early problems. Some players are getting Secure Attestation failures, especially on certain AMD 3.x.0.x drivers and some Lenovo systems. Engineers are working with the manufacturers on fixes, according to GosuGamers. If you plan to play on PC in Malaysia, check your BIOS settings before launch day.
A welcome change to Double XP
There is good news on progression too. Activision confirmed that Double XP tokens will count down only during active gameplay, not from the moment you activate them, Esports.gg reports. Time spent in lobbies or between matches will no longer eat into a token.
Existing Double XP tokens from Black Ops 7 will also carry over. In Activision's words: "Tokens will count down in game time and your existing tokens will be usable starting in Modern Warfare 4."
What it means for competitive Call of Duty
Each new Call of Duty release usually becomes the base for the following year's competitive play, so how clean MW4 is at launch matters beyond casual lobbies. Stricter PC security, hardware bans and action against input devices all point the same way. The real test comes after 23 October, once millions of players are online.
Key takeaways
- Modern Warfare 4 launches on 23 October 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and PC.
- More than 70,000 hardware bans issued in the current games will carry over to MW4.
- About 5,000 accounts have been banned for cheating with Cronus Zen or XIM-style devices.
- PC players need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot turned on, and Double XP tokens now tick down only during matches.
FAQ
Will owning a Cronus Zen get me banned? Not on its own. GosuGamers reports that bans depend on how the device is used in matches.
Do I need TPM 2.0 to play MW4 on PC? Yes. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are required for online play.
Can I use my Black Ops 7 Double XP tokens in MW4? Yes. Activision says existing tokens will work in Modern Warfare 4.
Sources: GosuGamers, Esports.gg, Activision/Team RICOCHET statements as reported