PunkBuster

PunkBuster

Developers
	Even Balance
Release dates
Windows	2000
Linux	?
macOS (OS X)	?

PunkBuster is a program created by Even Balance Inc. designed to detect forms of cheating in online games. It has been used in several prominent multiplayer games up until 2015, where development seemingly ceased as no new games were released with the anti-cheat protection, nor were any more updates or news published regarding PunkBuster on the official website. Although it was in development since 2000, it was known to still cause problems with other programs and certain hardware configurations years after its initial release.

General information

Official website

Installing

Most games that require PunkBuster for multiplayer will install it when the game itself is installed. In cases where it is not, details on installing PunkBuster can be found at their website.

Updating

On occasion PunkBuster may release an update for a specific game. In this case, the game will usually kick you from servers if you are running an old version of PunkBuster for the game. To update the version of PunkBuster for a specific game, download PBSetup.exe from their website. If the game you want to update isn't listed in the main view, select Add Game and find the game you are looking for. Once it has been added to the main window, select the game then select check for updates. If there is an update available, PunkBuster will then install it.

Known problems

• Some 64-bit games are not compatible with PunkBuster, requiring the user to play the 32-bit version of the game to play online.
• Some older games that use PunkBuster require administrator privileges to play online properly.
• The Steam overlay causes problems with PunkBuster, it is therefore recommended that you disable the Steam overlay for all PunkBuster games.
• PunkBuster is not compatible with Wine, and possibly other similar compatibility layers, due to harsh API entry signature checks.

List of PunkBuster titles

The below table includes all games that have historically used PunkBuster. Some of these titles do not use it any longer.

This list is generated automatically. To add or update entries simply edit the individual pages (see the editing guide for details). A list of missing games is available below.

{{#ask: Anticheat middleware::PunkBuster |?Developed by |?Published by |?Release date |+limit=1 |?Available on|+order=desc |?LAN play |?Online play |format=template |limit=500 |template=Multiplayer list/row |introtemplate=Multiplayer list/intro |outrotemplate=Multiplayer list/outro }}

Name	Released	Notes
Bullet Run	2012
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Phantoms	2014