[beeboobaa3]

No, that doesn't count. Companies have tried arguing that their ads' tracking cookies are strictly necessary otherwise they wouldn't be able to offer their services (ads pay the bills). And yet, they require consent.

Preventing cheaters is similar. And this is blatantly a tracking cookie.

[eqvinox]

You aren't considering that ad cookies/tracking are used to enable a service to someone else (ad buyers), while this anti-cheat tracking cookie is used to enable a service to the user themselves (a cheat-free gaming experience.) I think that may make the difference.

Also, all of this was in 2017. Anyone doing it in 2024 should indeed run it past a lawyer.