PBBans provides a streaming service to its Master Ban Index (MBI) that allows PunkBuster's core anti-cheat software to function more effectively. When a server isn't streaming to the MBI, PB simply issues a temporary ban - typically for two minutes - that allows the cheater to reconnect to the server once the ban has expired. Server admins have to edit their ban lists manually, but doing things that way is obviously inefficient for a number of reasons, particularly as every PB-enabled server has its own ban list that isn't shared between servers.
On November 30, PBBans announced that they will no longer support MoH, as the retail server providers (EA's "trusted GSP's") have declined to provide any meaningful assistance in solving the persistent streaming problems that have cropped-up in the last three or four months. As EA/DICE have kept a tight lid on their dedicated server files, PBBans cannot debug the streaming process and resolve the issue. (Note that this issue does not affect Bad Company 2.)
Mikael Kalms at DICE has posted on the relevant thread on the PBBans forums, saying that "DICE is committed to getting PB to function properly in MOH. You will see at least one server update specifically to address the current issues with servers that randomly stop streaming." That would be nice, but the fact that they allowed the problem to fester - to the point that an essential partner in ensuring the integrity of their multiplayer component just gave up on them - is the larger problem.
When your game's server browser results look like this, you can't afford to give hackers all but free reign over what's left of your player population.
On a side note, PunkBuster integration seems to get worse with every generation of games. Although detection has improved, the admin tools haven't advanced sufficiently, and developers just aren't putting the necessary effort into supporting it. PB is an all-volunteer effort, and for that reason it's hard to criticize it for not being cutting-edge. But with so many games moving to Steamworks/VAC, it's only a matter of time before PB loses its account with EA and folds altogether.
That will be a sad day for all of us who've relied on them to hold the line for so long.
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