GeForce NOW account bans affecting Call of Duty players have surfaced on Nvidia’s cloud gaming service, triggered by an unexplained glitch that blocks access with the message Without Video Card. The ban appears to occur during or after attempts to launch COD titles via the cloud, leaving users puzzled about the exact cause and remedy. [Citation: Nvidia GeForce NOW]
The core issue stems from the anti-cheat system within the games recognizing the cloud environment as a potential fraud vector. When the cloud service runs games that users already own on other platforms, the anti-cheat mechanisms can misinterpret the execution environment, resulting in account suspensions or bans even when there is no intentional violation. The situation underscores how cloud gaming ecosystems interact with in-game security systems and the sometimes unintended consequences for legitimate players. [Citation: Anti-cheat teams and cloud platforms]
GeForce NOW is a cloud service that enables players to stream games they already own across different devices. Nvidia announced the addition of new titles to the GeForce NOW library, including several Call of Duty games, expanding access for gamers who want to play on devices without local copies. Despite official support, some players report that starting Call of Duty titles through GeForce NOW can lead to account blocks, prompting questions about licensing, detection, and policy enforcement. [Citation: Nvidia press materials]
Activision Blizzard withdrew its games from GeForce NOW in 2020 due to licensing disputes but has continued to rebuild its catalog by regularly adding new titles. Nvidia has signaled collaborations and expansions, including the potential to bring Microsoft PC Game Pass games to GeForce NOW, increasing the service’s overall game availability. This ongoing alignment between publishers and cloud platforms shapes how players access and enjoy modern titles. [Citation: Publisher agreements]
In earlier reports, Asus ROG Ally owners also faced anti-cheat blocks when launching Call of Duty titles, illustrating that hardware form factors and cloud delivery can complicate anti-cheat detection across devices. The broader takeaway is that anti-cheat implementations must balance fair play with recognition of legitimate cloud-based play, a challenging task for developers and service providers alike. [Citation: Platform user experiences]
Historically, the cloud gaming market has been evolving rapidly as major publishers and platform holders experiment with licensing, streaming performance, and cross-device play. The recent development with Call of Duty on GeForce NOW reflects ongoing tensions between security policies and user access. Players are advised to monitor official channels for guidance on re-licensing, account reinstatement, and any policy updates that may affect cloud play on popular franchises. [Citation: Market context]