Steam VAC Bans

So here I was, playing Counter-Strike: Source. I had joined a server, and was having a fairly good time, except one thing; it was nearly empty, and the two other guys there were hacking. I personally liked this server for its mods, so I did not want to just leave. I did the only thing that made sense, to fight fire with fire. I downloaded a hack and rejoined the server (at this point in time, I have never even heard of VAC) and used it a little bit, not enough to make it obvious, just to help me. I got bored after maybe an hour or so, and left the server. From that point, I had played CS:S quite a bit on this server, only barely hacking when I really needed to. About 3 weeks after the first hack though, I noticed something. When I clicked to join the server, a message comes up saying I had been VAC banned. Me, knowing nothing of VAC or what it was, searched what it was, and then it dawned on me how much I messed up. I realized I would never be un vac-banned, and I would only ever be able to play non-vac servers on CS:S. The next day, I decided to play Team Fortress 2, and I realized with horror that the VAC ban affected all my source games. I had acquired most of my games from friends, and I knew I could not get a new account, because they would not help pay for my games a second time. I had about $265 worth in games on my account, and for someone without a job, that really is a lot of money. At first, I was enraged about being vac-banned. After a few weeks, it turned into sadness and regret about hacking.

Then I realized something; VAC bans are completely unfair. First off, they are never undone. A vac banned account stays vac banned forever. Second, I know it’s my fault I cheated, but I had not known about VAC. They should make everyone read the VAC rules when you purchase your first source game. Another thing, if I want to get un banned, I would have to make another account and rebuy all my games, not just the banned ones, which is completely unfair. Even if I must rebuy my games, I believe it should just be the banned ones, not everything! Because of hacking in one game for 3 weeks, I would have to pay $265 to rebuy all my games. Plus, I would have to join all my groups again, add all my friends again (Which is a daunting task, to say the least), and I would have to re-earn all my achievements and play-times.

I think the fact that steam can do this is completely unreasonable. What’s worse is, they will not give you the details of the ban, nor even consider unbanning you. Even if someone hacks your account, they will tell you it’s still your fault. That is just not right.  The only reason Steam does this is to make even more money than they already make (I bet VAC Bans make them a LOT of money!) and it’s just not right. 

Thank you for reading my first article on Triond.