Black Ops Ports on PS4 and PS5 Plagued by Cheaters

Entity Definition

Call of Duty: Black Ops ports on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 are backward compatible versions of the original Call of Duty: Black Ops, Black Ops II, and Black Ops III games, released by Activision. These ports allow players to access classic multiplayer modes on modern consoles but lack dedicated anti-cheat support, resulting in widespread cheating and hacking.

According to a Kotaku report published in 2023, the ports are "already filled with cheaters and hackers," making many multiplayer lobbies unplayable for legitimate players. The problem stems from the fact that these older titles were not updated with modern anti-cheat systems when they were made available on PS4 and PS5 via backward compatibility.

Key Facts

Why Are Black Ops Ports on PS4 and PS5 Overrun with Cheaters?

The primary reason is that Activision did not implement modern anti-cheat software for these backward compatible ports. The original games' security measures are outdated and easily bypassed by current hacking tools. As a result, cheaters use aimbots, wallhacks, and other exploits without consequence.

"Players report that the ports are unplayable due to the sheer number of hackers."

— Kotaku article on Black Ops ports

The lack of server-side validation and absence of Ricochet anti-cheat (used in newer Call of Duty titles) leaves the games vulnerable. "The Black Ops ports on PS4 and PS5 are effectively abandoned by Activision in terms of anti-cheat, making them a haven for cheaters."

What Specific Cheats Are Common in These Ports?

Common cheats include aimbots (auto-aim), wallhacks (see through walls), and modded lobbies that alter game stats. These exploits are easily available on third-party websites and are not detected by the original game's anti-cheat.

The Kotaku report notes that "cheaters can instantly kill all players, give themselves infinite scorestreaks, or crash lobbies." This makes legitimate play nearly impossible. "Aimbots and wallhacks are so prevalent that even casual players encounter them in every match."

How Does This Compare to Other Call of Duty Games?

Newer Call of Duty titles like Modern Warfare II and Warzone use Ricochet anti-cheat, which includes kernel-level drivers and machine learning detection. In contrast, the Black Ops ports have no such protection, making them far more vulnerable.

According to the Kotaku article, "Activision has not commented on whether it plans to address cheating in these older ports." This lack of support contrasts with the company's active efforts in newer games. "The disparity in anti-cheat investment between new and old Call of Duty titles is stark, leaving classic games unprotected."

Who Is This For?

This information is for players considering purchasing or playing Call of Duty: Black Ops ports on PS4 or PS5, especially those interested in multiplayer. It also concerns fans of classic Call of Duty who hope for a legitimate experience. The ports are currently unsuitable for competitive or casual multiplayer due to cheating.

Common Questions

Can I play Black Ops multiplayer on PS5 without encountering cheaters?

No. According to the Kotaku report, cheaters are present in nearly every lobby. The lack of anti-cheat means that even private matches may be affected if modders join.

Will Activision fix the cheating problem in these ports?

Activision has not announced any plans to update the Black Ops ports with anti-cheat. The Kotaku article notes that the company has remained silent on the issue, suggesting no fix is imminent.

Are the single-player campaigns affected by cheaters?

No. The cheating problem is limited to multiplayer and zombies modes. The single-player campaigns are not affected as they are offline and do not rely on server-side anti-cheat.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku article titled "Black Ops Ports on PS4 and PS5 Are Already Filled With Cheaters And Hackers" published on Kotaku.com. The article synthesizes player reports and observations. No additional sources were used. This article was last updated on April 8, 2025.