Update on MegaAntiCheat

Summary

In this candid update, the creator of Mega Anti-Cheat addresses both the progress and challenges faced in the development of the project. While positive strides have been made, including the release of a cheat detection algorithm template, the project has experienced setbacks, including the dissolution of the development team. The creator, now working solo, outlines the reduced scope and slower pace of progress, emphasizing transparency and accountability. Despite these challenges, the goal remains to complete the anti-cheat software, with a focus on detecting and convicting cheaters, while reflecting on the lessons learned from the project's struggles.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Mega Anti-Cheat project started with high expectations but has encountered major setbacks due to team changes and resource constraints.
• 😀 The speaker is now the only active developer working on the project, with no dedicated development team left.
• 😀 A positive development includes the release of a cheat detection algorithm template, which is available for others to use and build upon.
• 😀 The project infrastructure is now capable of analyzing 30,000 demo recordings, contributing to the ongoing development of cheat detection.
• 😀 The cheat detection algorithm is written in Rust, with a reference example to help others create their own algorithms, though the language may be challenging for beginners.
• 😀 Future improvements may include the addition of damage and kill event analysis, but the project's scope is being reduced due to limited resources.
• 😀 Machine learning features initially planned for the project are no longer feasible, and traditional algorithms will handle cheat detection instead.
• 😀 The developer channels in the Discord server have been archived, leaving only the GitHub channel open for contributions and updates.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability, openly discussing the challenges faced by the team and the project's future direction.
• 😀 Despite the project's reduced scope, the original goal to document and convict cheaters remains intact, and the speaker is committed to seeing the project through to completion.
• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude toward the former team members, recognizing their contributions, and vows to continue the project to honor their hard work.

Q & A

What is the main issue that Mega Skab Bomb is addressing in this update?

The main issue is the disbandment of the development team behind the Mega Anti-Cheat project, leaving Mega Skab Bomb as the sole developer working on it.

What positive developments are highlighted in the video?

The speaker mentions the release of a cheat detection algorithm template, the creation of infrastructure to run algorithms on 30,000 demo recordings, and the successful development of a preliminary cheat detection algorithm.

Why is the scope of the Mega Anti-Cheat project being reduced?

The scope is being reduced because Mega Skab Bomb is now working alone on the project and lacks the resources and team to pursue more ambitious features, such as machine learning algorithms.

What will happen to the machine learning aspects of the project?

The machine learning components that were initially planned will no longer be pursued due to the speaker’s lack of experience in that field. Instead, traditional algorithms will be used for cheat detection.

How is the communication around the project changing moving forward?

Communication will be streamlined, with only the essential GitHub and project channels remaining active. Developer channels on Discord have been archived.

What was the reason for the disbandment of the development team?

The development team dissolved due to a combination of factors, including personal issues, disagreements, burnout, and a lack of engagement from the team members.

How does Mega Skab Bomb view the contributions of the previous developers?

Mega Skab Bomb expresses deep appreciation for the contributions of the developers, acknowledging that even the smallest efforts were valuable and that the work they did should not be in vain.

What is the future direction of the Mega Anti-Cheat project?

The future direction focuses on simplifying the scope of the project, prioritizing cheat detection through traditional algorithms, and maintaining the core goal of documenting and convicting cheaters.

What were some of the external challenges faced by the project?

Some external challenges include issues with acquiring servers, moving away from the original hosting setup, and struggles with maintaining a consistent and dedicated development team.

What lessons did Mega Skab Bomb learn through this experience?

Mega Skab Bomb learned valuable lessons in project management, especially in handling a volunteer-based team and the importance of maintaining focus on the project's core goals despite setbacks.