The Finals’ studio deploys first big ban wave for the FPS, but it accidentally lands on non-cheaters

Dec. 31, 2023

The free-to-play shooter aims at cheaters, hits normies in the crossover

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Developer Embark Studios has deployed the first big ban wave on its free-to-play shooter The Finals, but some non-cheating players appear to have been affected too.

The Finals was released earlier this month (December 8), and while the game was showered with praise for its destructible levels and variety of tactical options, reports oframpant cheatingsomewhat dampened the successful launch. Now, in an effort to soothe these complaints, Embark Studios employed an overnight ban wave.

Journalist Tom Warren shared the news on the website formerly known asTwitter: “Looks like it has hit a lot of folks who don’t cheat, including a number of Twitch streamers.” That spot was corroborated by streamer PRX Jinggg who shared the notification screen (embedded below) that reads: “Due to certain behavior that is against our Code of Conduct, your account has been banned.” Manysimilar postsalso cropped up on Twitter over the last day.

Twitter user Viscose shared a gameplay clip from The Finals, which included top-down footage of their mouse movements, seemingly to prove that no cheating had occurred. Viscose’s ban was reversed a few hours later, meaning at least some bans were falsely issued. Though it’s encouraging news that Embark Studios is already working to retract some false bans.

The Finals has otherwise enjoyed a successful launch month, with the shooterreaching 10 million players after only 15 dayson the market. Players have also been experimenting with fun, creative builds as one genius crafted acheater-killing machine by popping a turret into a plant pot.

Now that The Finals’ cheating problem is getting fixed, why not brush up on your shooting skills with ourbest weapons guide.

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Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that’s vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he’ll soon forget.

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