TruePlay formerly called Game Monitor is probably the most underrated feature of the Windows 10 v1709. It is an anti-cheat system that helps games run in a protected system to prevent some common attack modes. To assist TruePlay, Windows has a service that tracks every gaming behavior to spot cheating behaviors and generate alerts.
TruePlay anti-cheat in Windows 10
Says Microsoft,
TruePlay provides developers with a new set of tools to combat cheating within their PC games. A game enrolled in TruePlay will run in a protected process, which mitigates a class of common attacks. Additionally, a Windows service will monitor gaming sessions for behaviors and manipulations that are common in cheating scenarios. These data will be collected, and alerts will be generated only when cheating behavior appears to be occurring. To ensure and protect customer privacy while preventing false positives, these data are only shared with developers after processing has determined cheating is likely to have occurred.
If you are wondering what to do about games you’re sure you won’t need it for, don’t worry. The prompts like “monitor gaming sessions” won’t pop up throughout every game. You can opt out of the tracking. Don’t worry, TruePlay isn’t a “block on launch” structure. So you will be able to play even after opting out.
TruePlay might often display messages like “monitor gaming sessions” or “data will be collected”. All the date is only shared if a threat is positively detected. So do not ignore it if you get a warning. As of now, TruePlay only works with UWP games.
The functions and purpose of TruePlay have not yet been fully revealed but what we know so far is:
- TruePlay works for Xbox Live games. For example, Forza 7 Motorsport and Minecraft.
- TruePlay isn’t yet fully supported by every gaming company, so they need to tweak their systems up to incorporate TruePlay.
- TruePlay is also known as Game Monitor, and that is more self-explanatory, but Microsoft went with TruePlay.
- TruePlay was first introduced as Game Monitor along with the launch of the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16199.
- Microsoft only announced that the objective of TruePlay is to ensure a fair game because “Gaming is more fun when everyone plays fairly”.
- Microsoft also warned that turning off TruePlay might limit the game. This probably means multiplayer mode will be unavailable without TruePlay.
Microsoft did not bother to give any details about the new feature despite all the speculation. Don’t let the low profile that Microsoft has maintained about this feature fool you. It is not an unimportant, fancy add-on. Microsoft probably wants to make sure everything is fine with the feature. This in-built feature is new and needs some testing. Microsoft will eventually demystify the whole issue regarding TruePlay. For now, gamers who enjoy cheating, enjoy the last days the old way. The new TruePlay way will take complete effect soon, and Windows 10 and Xbox users will have to play clean.
Those honest gamers who wish TruePlay extended to more than Windows 10 and Xbox, have patience. Maybe the success of TruePlay will inspire such features for other OS and PlayStation as well.
How to enable TruePlay
You will find TruePlay in the Gaming section under Settings > Gaming >TruePlay in Windows 10.
Under the TruePlay page, there is one switch to turn TruePlay on or off. It is that simple. Remember the access mode for now because nothing will change when you switch it off or on now. It is in the Off position by default and the function is not active yet. Enjoy the last few months, or you never know maybe weeks, of old-school cheat codes and smartass moves in multiplayers.
Gear up for real skills because TruePlay will ensure skill and experience will be the only things that will work on games when it comes into play.
Read next: Free Anti-cheat software for Windows PC.
