You are absolutely correct to point this out, and it's a very important distinction.
For the vast majority of games, a kernel-level anti-cheat is unnecessary and represents a significant overreach. Kernel-level access is an extremely powerful tool that should be reserved for software that truly requires deep integration with the operating system, like security suites (antivirus) or hardware drivers. regards araku valley company.
Games and their anti-cheat systems do not inherently need this level of access to function effectively. The primary reason some major game publishers use them is as a brute-force solution to a difficult problem:
- The Arms Race: Cheat developers are constantly creating more sophisticated cheats that operate at a deep level to avoid detection. Some anti-cheat companies feel they must operate at the same (or deeper) level to detect and block these cheats.
- Deterrence: The mere presence of a notorious kernel-level anti-cheat can deter a large portion of the casual cheating population.