Fallout 76 Cheaters Can Appeal Their Ban With an Essay

Bethesda has been an interesting headliner these last few months. With the recent release of Fallout 76 and the slew of PR problems that came with it, they've not been on everyone's best side. Now they're generating more controversy with a wave of bans for cheaters, where the only appeal is to write an essay.

This was first noticed by YouTuber JuiceHead, who had noticed multiple claims that people running third-party programs over the game were being banned for cheating. This included any software that interacted or altered the game in a way different than the publisher's intentions.



If detected, a permanent ban would be issued on the account, removing their access to any ZeniMax Online Services. The ban statement that cheaters would receive is as follows.

This account has violated the Code of Conduct and Terms of Service by cheating. The account was detected to be running a third-party application, which provides an unfair in-game advantage, while logged into Fallout 76. [] The use of this type of application is not permitted under any circumstances, nor for any reason. As a result, we regret to inform you that this account has been permanently disabled and will no longer be eligible to participate in any ZeniMax Online services.

But what has people's attention is what came after this paragraph. It explains that if the banned user would like to appeal themselves, they can write an essay about why cheating is bad for the management team to review.

If you would like to appeal this account closure, we would be willing to accept an essay on why the use of third-party cheat software is detrimental to an online game community, for our management team to review.

This has stirred the community pot, in a sense. Some users believe that their modifications or game altering programs were not cheating, and only changed the game client-side. Some examples of this would be improved graphics or streamlined menus. Others, however, defend the ban wave, explaining that the anti-cheat software cannot assume intention behind the software, or even know exactly what the modified software does. It only detects if unauthorized changes have been made.

Having to write an essay is certainly uncommon in today's industry. But is it a bad one? Some might find it humiliating or degrading. Others are happy that there is a way to undo a permanent ban if they're willing to put in the effort.

The simplest answer? Don't cheat.