False ban on Modern Warfare III
False ban on Modern Warfare III
I experienced a false ban on MW3 without using any cheating tools. After appealing, it was denied, but that wasn’t the main focus here. I noticed that the day I received my new 4k polling rate mouse (Lamzu Thorn), I entered a restricted matchmaking state and later faced a permanent ban for "unauthorized software." I restarted the game after two weeks, only to be placed in another limited matchmaking state within about an hour, this time with a different mouse but also on 4k polling rate (Viper V3 pro). My friends suggest it might be related to the high polling rate, though I’m unsure if I’m alone with that setup. Could this really be the cause? Or are there other factors behind these false bans? I’d appreciate any insights from Activision, but they haven’t responded to my concerns. The MW3 subreddit also blocks posts about "false bans."
I didn't use any cheating tools or debuggers. My main account was banned the same day I started using this new mouse: https://lamzu.com/products/lamzu-thorn-gaming-mouse. I didn't like it and purchased a different model instead. Later, I bought another one from Razer: https://www.razer.com/gaming-mice/razer-viper-v3-pro. My new account was placed in limited matchmaking again, possibly leading to a ban. I reached out to Razer, who mentioned they'd have a higher team look into it—maybe involving game developers—to check if higher polling rates could cause false bans.
I also had software set up for both devices to allow 4k polling. Each version comes with built-in macro features, though I never used them. I’ve been using a G Pro X Superlight before switching to the two high-polling rate models that also came with software and macro support without any problems.
There seems to be a technical problem with the device or software. It’s likely they’ll resolve it themselves. If you’re really stuck, you can try creating an alternative version, restarting your equipment, and removing all installed programs before reinstalling. That should simplify things.
CC chargeback should proceed since they haven't responded. Still, I question your approach—after rewarding a company for false bans and ignoring them with more of your funds, it seems unlikely. Misbehaving software or anti-cheat is more probable: https://blog.mikeswanson.com/activisions...-software/ This older post remains relevant in my opinion.
Sadly I didn't purchase the title via CC but through iDeal, which means I can't file a chargeback beyond Blizzard's options. They refuse the claim since my account is marked as "in bad standing." Unlike Steam, where refunds are granted when Activision ignores support tickets, this situation is different. Yes, there are other games, but I mostly stick to Call of Duty, so being falsely banned feels especially problematic for me. I’d appreciate it if I could try other titles too. The blog post clearly outlines the widespread concerns, thanks for sharing! Over the past year, many gamers—including myself—have faced false permanent bans in Activision’s Call of Duty, struggling to get the company to acknowledge or resolve the issue. My reputation and past actions stand in stark contrast to the cheating allegations. This situation is worsened by poor anti-cheat systems, its effect on the community, and weak communication. Despite attempts to reach out to Activision leaders and suggest fixes, little progress has been made, though Microsoft’s recent acquisition offers some optimism. The article stresses the importance of openness, fairness, and improved handling of such cases.
It might be the game's anti-cheat system noticing an unrecognized device from your mouse (or software) or someone attempting to manipulate it.
If you're based in the EU, you might try pushing GDPR to clarify what caused the ban. I've observed cases like ArenaNet mistakenly blocking a Guild Wars 2 player and not providing details, forcing compliance while they regained their account. If you're up for it, that's the approach.