New Report Finds Cheating Threatens Gaming Industry’s Trust and Revenue

A new whitepaper from PlaySafe ID has put numbers to a problem most gamers already know too well—cheating in online games is widespread, damaging trust, and costing studios real money. The Gaming’s Cheating Crisis Report, based on a survey of more than 2,000 players across the UK and USA, reveals that four out of five gamers have encountered cheaters during online play.

Good to Know

• 55% of players spend less—or nothing—on in-game purchases because of cheating.
• 42% have considered quitting a game entirely due to cheaters.
• 83% would be more likely to play a game marketed as cheat-free.

The financial impact is stark. Over half of those surveyed admitted they’ve cut back or stopped spending on in-game content because cheating spoils the experience. Almost half have thought about leaving a game altogether. For developers, the takeaway is clear: cheating isn’t just a community issue—it’s a direct hit to revenue.

Gamers are also showing a willingness to back change with action. The report found that 73% would be comfortable verifying their identity to help create a cheat-free environment. And 79% believe penalties for cheating should extend across multiple titles, not just the game where the offense occurred.

PlaySafe ID founder and CEO Andrew Wailes says the research confirms what players have been feeling for years:

“I hate cheating in video games, it’s a serious issue that undermines player trust and directly impacts developer revenues. From looking at our data it’s clear that gamers agree and that they are not only aware of the problem, but they’re ready to be part of the solution. Gamers are ready, the responsibility to address cheating now falls squarely on studios and developers with robust, effective and most importantly transparent measures.”

The report suggests developers can strengthen retention and protect revenue by combining stronger anti-cheat systems with identity verification and cross-game enforcement. According to PlaySafe ID, promoting a game as credibly cheat-free could be a major draw, as most gamers actively want fair play environments.

Beyond the numbers, the report points to a bigger shift in gaming culture: players want accountability, and they’re open to new methods—provided studios are transparent about how those measures work. For an industry where competition is fierce and player loyalty can change overnight, tackling cheating could be as much about survival as it is about fairness.

The Gaming’s Cheating Crisis Report is available now from PlaySafe ID, offering data-driven insights and recommendations for building fairer online gaming experiences.