A.C.E
What's New
New features and new shop items, as they ship.
Desktop app 1.9.21: new plans in the app
The Premium screen in the app now shows exactly what Plus and Premium include (the same list as the site), and the Championship screen explains that entry is an A.C.E Premium benefit for all 5 players with skin prizes sponsored by A.C.E. The in-app rulebook is updated to version 1.6. The app updates itself.
Open →New A.C.E Plus and Premium: what each plan really gives you
Plus ($4) is about improving: a Performance Hub with headshot %, first-bullet accuracy, ADR, K/D, map win rates, utility, opening duels and your 10-match trend, a download of the demo of every match you play (kept 14 days), and a weekly report every Monday. Premium ($7) is about competing: entry to the A.C.E Championship (every player of a registered clan must be Premium, skin prizes sponsored by A.C.E, no cash prizes and no paid ticket), a per-match breakdown, a benchmark against players of your own rank, Profile Studio (motto, accent colour, showcased stat, animated card), a clan banner and priority support. No plan buys wins: there is no rating boost and no matchmaking or queue advantage. Payments are still marked Coming soon.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.20 and Shield final hardening
The app now double-checks every update before installing it: it only installs a newer, final (non-test) version and exactly the version it approved, never an older one. On the server side, every Shield heartbeat must carry the one-time code the server issued for that session, each A.C.E match server signs with its own key, a match can only be reported on by the server it runs on, and a ranked match will not start on a server whose security settings (sv_cheats and similar) are wrong. Who opened evidence or a match demo is recorded and kept for 12 months. As always, nothing bans automatically. The app updates itself.
Open →Shield: match demos, locked server settings, bhop-script detection, threat model
A.C.E match servers now record a demo of every match (kept 14 days, available to the owner and to Overwatch reviewers of an open case), report their own security settings once per map so a changed server config is caught, and count frame-perfect jumps so automated bhop scripts stand out statistically. The new public threat model at /anti-cheat/threat-model explains honestly what Shield protects against and what it cannot catch. As always, nothing bans automatically.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.19: anti-cheat page and roadmap up to date
The Anti-Cheat page in the app shows its version again, explains the in-match check and the appeal page, and the live roadmap now lists Shield V2: in-match checks, installs verified against the official build, device trust, advanced analytics, in-site appeals and sealed evidence records (each item turns green only when the live system proves it). On Windows set to Hebrew or Arabic, the consent text now reads fully left to right, punctuation included. The app updates itself.
Open →Privacy Policy, Terms and Rulebook updated for A.C.E Shield V2
The Privacy Policy now describes everything A.C.E Shield V2 does: the in-match checks about every 30 seconds, per-part hardware hashes used only to enforce bans, the app's signature check, the server statistics used for review, the internal review priority, appeals on /appeal and sealed evidence records, with the same 90-day retention. The Terms and Rulebook (version 1.5, all languages) point to /appeal and explain the in-match check. Every enforcement decision is still made by a person. Effective 26 October 2026.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.18: clearer anti-cheat consent
The anti-cheat consent screen now lists exactly what Shield V2 checks (including the app's own signature and per-part hardware hashes) and the in-match check, and links the appeal page. You will be asked to confirm it once. The anti-cheat panel no longer says a detection bans automatically: a detection holds the queue for a person to review, and you can appeal. The in-app rulebook is updated to version 1.5. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.17: honest code-signature status, in-site appeals
Shield now reports Windows' own verdict on the app's digital signature to the server, so a signed release can be told apart from a re-packed copy as soon as A.C.E releases are signed. You can also appeal an anti-cheat hold, ban or decision directly on the site at /appeal and follow its status; every decision is backed by a sealed evidence record. The app updates itself.
Open →Shield V2, part 3: fairer device check
The A.C.E app now hashes each hardware part on your PC separately (still one-way hashes, never the serial numbers themselves), and generic factory values that many PCs share are dropped before hashing. This makes ban enforcement harder to dodge by swapping one part, and stops two unrelated players from ever being matched because their motherboards came with the same default ID. As before, this is used only to enforce confirmed bans, and nothing bans automatically. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.15: newer, more secure engine
The A.C.E app now runs on a current Electron engine (Chromium and Node.js security fixes; the previous engine had reached end of support). Every build is now also started and checked automatically before release: the window loads, the app's internal bridge works, and Shield's tamper protections are verified. Nothing changes in how you use the app. The app updates itself.
Open →Shield V2, part 2: match integrity checked all match long
A.C.E match servers can now re-check every player's Shield about every 30 seconds during the match, not only when they connect, and each match gets its own one-time code that the A.C.E app confirms in its heartbeats. A short network hiccup never counts against you: only a Shield that stays silent for minutes is escalated, nothing bans automatically, and the owner turns each step on gradually. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.14: Shield starts once, consent reads correctly
Turning the anti-cheat on no longer opens several Shield sessions at the same moment, and the consent text now reads left to right on Windows set to Hebrew or Arabic. The app updates itself.
Open →Shield V2, part 1: a tamper-proof desktop app
The A.C.E app now refuses to start if its own files were modified (built-in ASAR integrity check) and only runs its official packaged code. Shield reports to the server whether anything is debugging or altering the app, and the server compares each install with the official build of its version. As always, nothing bans automatically: a finding holds the queue and the owner reviews it. You will be asked once to confirm the updated anti-cheat consent, which now lists everything Shield checks. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.11: A.C.E Championship and a new Leaderboard
Tournaments now shows the A.C.E Championship: the full 100-team bracket with every Round 1 pairing and bye, the four championship stages, rulebook essentials, the map pool and the complete competition rulebook (searchable, same text as the site). The Leaderboard opens on a 1-2-3 podium with the A.C.E emblem turning behind it, your standing, the spread of players across ranks and a searchable table. The status bar now stays at the bottom of the window. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.10: new Ranks and My Stats
Home, Ranks and My Stats now fill the whole window with their own backdrops. Ranks opens on a gold climb through all ten ranks with your place marked, prestige badges (2,150-3,000 RP) sit above the rank tiers in your own plan's set, and My Stats gets a new header with your RP, rank and win rate. Every number is live match data. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.9: your rank beside the operator
Home now shows the whole A.C.E operator, with your rank badge floating and spinning beside him. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.8: your Steam picture everywhere
Your Steam profile picture now shows in the app header and on your profile, with a Steam badge on the profile ring. If your PC blocks Steam's image server, the app fetches the picture another way, and shows your initials only as a last resort. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.7: new A.C.E operator
Home and the player profile now show the A.C.E operator in black tactical gear with a gold visor. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.6: new Home and player profile
Home opens on a cinematic hero with the A.C.E operator, your rank and progress to the next rank, Shield status, What's New and friends online. The player profile is a full card: rank globe spinning beside the operator, leaderboard position, form of your last ten matches, streaks, K/D, ADR, headshots, rating graph, badges, recent matches with scores and RP changes, map highlights and teams. Every number is live match data.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.5: fixes the black window, gentler updates
Versions 1.8.9-1.9.4 opened a solid black window: a build hardening flag stopped the app from loading its own styles and scripts. 1.9.5 fixes it. The installer now asks a running A.C.E to exit by itself instead of closing it by force, which avoids a file lock some antivirus products left behind. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.9.2: installer closes the running app by itself
Installing a new version while A.C.E Shield sat in the tray failed with "A.C.E cannot be closed". The installer now closes the running app on its own, even when it runs with administrator rights (you may see one Windows permission prompt). The app updates itself.
Open →Shield R88: every first shot is analysed, Overwatch gets clip moments
Match servers now record the crosshair around every first shot of a burst (hits and misses) so an aim assist that only shows on misses is visible statistically; the Shield app and the game server are cross-checked to come from the same network. Overwatch reviewers get the exact round times to jump to in the demo, and votes from reviewers with a proven track record count more. Ranked also now requires a Steam account at least 30 days old with 50+ CS2 hours (anti-smurf; hidden profiles are not blocked). Still: no automatic bans, the owner decides every case.
Open →Shield R87 + desktop 1.9.0: identity, file integrity, vulnerable drivers
The anti-cheat now verifies that the Steam account playing is the one linked to your A.C.E account, learns the real CS2 file checksums from the player base (so a modified client.dll stands out without false alarms on game updates), records your Windows security posture (Secure Boot, VBS/HVCI, TPM) and flags known vulnerable kernel drivers that cheats abuse. Nothing is auto-banned; suspicious findings open a review. The app updates itself.
Open →Desktop app 1.8.9: anti-cheat now sees CS2 reliably
The desktop anti-cheat sometimes failed to notice that CS2 was running on a busy PC and skipped its checks during matches. 1.8.9 fixes the detection and hardens the app against tampering. The app updates itself.
Open →Match servers back to full strength
A CS2 update broke the server framework our match plugin runs on; servers now run the fixed framework and AceBridge 0.4.4, with per-kill aim telemetry for human review flowing again.
Open →Steam ban check before ranked
Accounts with a VAC or game ban from the last 2 years can no longer queue for ranked (rulebook 2.1). The check uses public Steam ban data.
Anti-cheat looks across matches
The anti-cheat analysis now also looks at a player's recent matches together, not one match at a time. A single great game is not enough to open a case, and every case is still reviewed by a person.
Open →Fairer anti-cheat analysis
Kills on bots no longer count toward the anti-cheat analysis, so practice matches against bots cannot make a clean player look suspicious. Matches that end early are now analysed too.
Open →Anti-cheat data deleted after 90 days
Match telemetry used for anti-cheat review is now deleted after 90 days like the rest of the anti-cheat data, unless a case is still open.
Open →Anti-cheat page shows the real state
The roadmap and pillar badges on the Anti-Cheat page are now calculated from live system data, and the FAQ points to the Report a player page.
Open →Anti-cheat review hold instead of auto-bans
A detection no longer bans you automatically. It places a temporary queue hold while a human reviews the evidence, and you can appeal.
Open →Anti-cheat consent screen
The desktop app now explains exactly what the anti-cheat checks and asks for your consent before activating it.
Open →Desktop app 1.8.7 required to queue
Ranked queue now requires A.C.E desktop 1.8.7 or newer. The app updates itself; you can also download the latest version.
Open →Safer match server gate
Match servers now fail closed: if a player's anti-cheat status can't be confirmed, they can't join a ranked server.
Open →Privacy and legal updates
Updated Privacy Policy and Terms, with clear data retention periods and your data rights.
Open →Accessibility and legal pages
New accessibility statement and intellectual property pages, plus accessibility fixes across the site.
Open →Delete your account
You can now download your data or delete your A.C.E account yourself from your account page.
Open →Live service status
Status labels across the site (queue, match servers, anti-cheat) now reflect the real service state.
Open →Payments coming soon
Paid plans are shown as Coming Soon. Nothing is charged yet.
Open →Shop in the app
Browse A.C.E cosmetics (stickers, badges, banners, frames, name colours) right from the app. Cosmetic only, no gameplay effect.
Open →A.C.E Anti-Cheat panel
A dedicated Anti-Cheat page in the app: activate it with one click and see a live status dot. A detection places a review hold on queueing while staff review it; it is never an automatic permanent ban.
Open →Automatic app updates
The A.C.E desktop app now updates itself in the background. Restart when prompted to get the newest version.
Open →Friends & party
Add friends, invite them to a party and queue together from the A.C.E app.
My Stats
Your own match stats in one place, from verified A.C.E matches. Private to you by default.
Open →Ranks & RP
Ten A.C.E ranks with Rank Points earned from ranked matches, plus a public Ranks ladder by season, country and region.
Open →Match alerts
The A.C.E app alerts you with sound and a pop-up when your match is found, so you never miss the accept.
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