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Title: Blizzard takes aim at Overwatch 2 console cheaters

Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:39:23 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/blizzard-takes-aim-a...

Like many other multiplayer games, Overwatch 2 isn't immune from cheaters.
And it's not only an issue on PC, where cheaters use tools like aimbots. Some
folks use XIM devices so they can play with a keyboard and mouse (KBM) on
consoles. This is against Blizzard's rules, as KBM players typically have an
aim advantage over those who use a controller, even though the console
versions of the game have features like aim assist. While it's taken some
time to get the ball rolling, the developer is finally doing something about
the XIM problem.

XIM devices trick consoles into believing that KBM users are playing with a
controller. However, in a blog post, Blizzard says it has been able to detect
KBM players on consoles over the last few Overwatch 2 seasons. It has found
that the cheating problem is more prevalent among higher ranked players. The
developers say that use of so-called unapproved peripherals is "very rare" in
lower ranks.

During the current season (which started this week), Blizzard will dish out
permanent bans to the most extreme users of unapproved peripherals. It will
rely on reports from other players and its own data to pinpoint those who are
breaking the rules.

Starting in Season 11, which should get underway in June, the developers will
tackle the issue at a broader level. The first time a console player is
detected using an unapproved device on consoles, they'll be banned from
Competitive modes for a week. If they keep using KBM or other unapproved
peripherals in casual modes, they'll get a season-long Competitive
suspension, only have the option of playing with other KBM users in Quick
Play and lose access to aim assist features. It's all in the name of
fairness.

There are accessibility concerns here, though, as some folks simply can't
play games with a standard controller. Blizzard says that it has done its
"utmost to ensure that players with accessibility needs will be less likely
to trigger our detection." The developers say they will tailor their
enforcement actions so that folks with accessibility needs can still land a
sick Earthshatter or keep healing their teammates.

With all that said, Blizzard is looking into adding official KBM support on
consoles so folks can play the game that way without negatively impacting
controller players. As things stand, console and PC players are separated
into separate pools for Competitive play. So to make things fair, Blizzard
would need to shuffle console players who want to use a keyboard and mouse
into games with other KBM players and no aim assist.

The XIM problem isn't exactly new. The Overwatch 2 developers' colleagues at
Activision last year started banning Call of Duty players who spoof input
devices (or just messing with them, as usual). Ubisoft and Epic have also
targeted XIM users in Rainbow Six: Siege and Fortnite, respectively.

Blizzard is doing more on other fronts to try to keep Overwatch 2 fair and
more enjoyable for the majority of players. It's punishing those who leave in
the middle of matches more severely and taking a stronger stance on toxicity
in voice and text chat.

Meanwhile, there's been a kerfuffle this week related to Overwatch 2 players
being banned for using profanity. Those who use slurs or threaten others
should obviously face appropriate consequences, but apparently booting out
players from a game that has profanity filters for some slightly spicy trash
talk is some kind of BS.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/blizzard-takes-aim-a...
203923200.html?src=rss

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