Chapter 678: Official Confirmation of the Cheater Server
Haimi's words in the fan group did not calm the dispute; instead, the argument grew even fiercer.
Because Haimi's remarks were only shared privately within the fan group, they meant nothing to the bystanders accusing him of cheating—in fact, they seemed like a clumsy cover-up. However, his core fans became even more convinced that he wasn't cheating. So the two sides were essentially talking past each other, unable to reach any understanding.
As the dispute escalated, the issue inevitably reached the official authorities.
Ironically, it was Haimi's fans who first flocked to Chen Mo's Weibo to make a ruckus...
"Chen Mo, come out! I don't believe you're completely unaware of such a huge controversy. Can't you prove that Haimi isn't cheating? How can you bear to see an innocent streamer slandered like this?"
"Exactly! Even if others don't know, the official team can surely investigate, right? Please clear Haimi's name!"
"Shouldn't helping innocent streamers clear things up be part of your job?"
The players accusing Haimi of cheating were delighted. Perfect, just what they wanted!
"Right, give us an official confirmation. Since Haimi was placed in the cheater server, there must be relevant detection data, right? Release it and let those brainless fans of his see the truth!"
The focus of the conflict gradually shifted to the official side. Everyone was waiting for Chen Mo to provide solid proof: Did Haimi cheat or not?
...
At the experience store, Chen Mo was scrolling through Weibo, looking somewhat speechless at the comments under his posts.
"I've never seen such an outrageous request."
Su Jinyu asked with a hint of worry, "Store manager, how do you plan to handle Haimi's situation?"
Chen Mo sighed helplessly. "Since the players want solid proof, let's give it to them. These cheating streamers can't keep muddling through like this. Once the official side makes a definitive statement, whatever happens next with the players and streaming platforms is their own business."
Su Jinyu nodded. "Alright, store manager, I understand."
Chen Mo hadn't exposed these streamers right away mainly because he wanted to delay revealing the cheater server.
Moreover, according to Chen Mo's design, the cheater server was part of the game's mechanics. These streamers using micro-aim assist could only play in the cheater server and wouldn't harm normal players, so the impact wasn't that severe.
But now that Haimi's own fans had stirred up this momentum, and so many people were paying attention, it couldn't be ignored. Otherwise, if the official side stayed silent, people might think there was some shady deal between the officials and these cheating streamers.
Besides, the cheater server couldn't be kept secret forever. Players were probably already guessing about it.
An announcement was simultaneously posted on the Thunder Game official website and the in-game bulletin board of "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds," and Chen Mo's Weibo also shared it.
"Official Statement: Thunder Game and the 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' operations team have always been committed to providing players with a fair, just, green, and transparent gaming environment. Since the launch of 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds,' we have permanently banned 15,389 accounts for using cheats."
"At the same time, in response to the recent heated discussions among players regarding the 'streamer cheating' and 'cheater server' incidents, to avoid unnecessary speculation, the 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' operations team officially announces:"
"The game includes a 'cheater server' design. Players using micro-aim assist will be assigned to the cheater server and can only match with other micro-aim assist users. Other cheats, such as aimbot, health lock, wallhack, teleportation, etc., will result in an immediate permanent ban upon use."
"Many players have questions about whether certain streamers are cheating. Hereby, we declare that every player assigned to the cheater server has, without exception, used micro-aim assist."
"Accounts that have used micro-aim assist will not be banned, but they will be permanently confined to the cheater server and will not affect normal players' gaming experience. The official team urges everyone to cherish their accounts and work together with us to create a better gaming environment!"
As soon as this announcement was released, "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" players exploded!
Though the text was brief, the information it contained was massive. Many players said it was too thrilling and needed time to digest!
The two biggest bombshells were: first, the official confirmation of the cheater server's existence; second, it effectively nailed the streamers who had been in the cheater server.
Not just Haimi, but all streamers who had been placed in the cheater server were implicated—none escaped!
Although the official didn't release a specific list, the message was clear: anyone who had been in the cheater server had used micro-aim assist. Figure it out yourselves!
Suddenly, the "Cheater Server Incident" became the hottest gaming topic. Not only were "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" players discussing it, but players from other games were also paying attention, grabbing popcorn and watching the drama!
"Holy crap, so the cheater server really exists!"
"Hahaha, are Haimi's fans still jumping around? You guys are hilarious. Why couldn't you just keep a low profile? Why did you have to go and ask Chen Mo to defend Haimi? Chen Mo's like, 'What the heck, you want proof? Here's your proof!'"
"Other streamers probably hate Haimi to death. Maybe they wouldn't have been exposed so quickly, but with this official announcement, they've all been dragged down together! 23333"
"Wait, doesn't that mean we can expose even more streamers? The streaming platforms have recorded broadcasts. By watching those, we can tell who's been in the cheater server, right?"
"Exactly, that's the idea!"
What many streamers didn't expect was how far-reaching this announcement would be!
The power of the masses was limitless. Soon, a "grand campaign to find cheaters" unfolded among the player base. Players began digging through recorded broadcasts on various streaming platforms, trying to find more streamers locked in the cheater server.
The criteria for judgment were simple: queue times, enemy behavior, the streamer's aim, whether they switched accounts, and so on. These factors could give a pretty accurate guess.
"Old P has been checked, no problem. He didn't switch accounts and never entered the cheater server."
"Xiao Hei also streamed 'PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds.' His performance was decent, doesn't seem like he was in the cheater server."
"HXX is highly suspicious of being in the cheater server! And he switched accounts—that's basically confirmed, right?"
"Little Fatty seems to have been in the cheater server too, but that round was pulled in by Chen Mo. And with his skill level, if he really cheated, he'd probably ask for a refund from the cheat seller..."
Many streamers were in dire straits. Whether big or small, anyone who had used micro-aim assist was terrified. Some streamers simply stopped broadcasting and hid like turtles.
Of course, the worst off were Haimi and Tian Chong, the streamers at the center of the storm. The official confirmation had essentially cut off their lifelines.
Haimi was completely panicked. He never imagined his own fans would go to the officials demanding proof—wasn't that just screwing him over?!
At this point, it was too late to say anything. Haimi had mentally prepared himself that the cheater server would eventually be exposed. Now, all he could think about was how to salvage the situation.
Maybe there was still one way out.
Prove his innocence.