Overwatch 2 permanently banning console users for using unapproved peripherals

In a move sure to shock many gamers, Overwatch 2 will be permanently banning console users for using unapproved peripherals, in an attempt to target high-ranked players who have been reported for "ximming." Using this method, console players could gain a significant edge over other players using standard controllers, raising concerns about fair play in the competitive scene.

The gaming behemoth released its Director's Take, where several issues related to ximming and consoles were tackled. Let's look at all that was talked about, and what this means for the future of console players.

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Overwatch 2 will ban console users for using unapproved peripherals

In the recently released Director's Take, Senior game producer Adam Massey and lead gameplay engineer Daniel Razza said:

Over the next few weeks, there will be permanent account bans against players who are the most severe abusers of unapproved peripherals. These actions will be targeted towards high-ranked players who have been reported by others and who our data clearly shows are using an unapproved peripheral.

Delving into how such suspensions can be avoided, they stated:

"The only way to evade these bans is to cease using an unapproved peripheral right now."

In Overwatch 2, unapproved peripherals are devices that allow console players to covertly use a mouse and keyboard while hiding this fact from the game. This provides an unfair advantage because console versions of the game have aim-assist features designed to balance gameplay against PC players using a mouse and keyboard. Massey and Razza went on to state:

"While we won’t go into specific detail on exactly how we detect these devices, we can say that our detection has already been in place for multiple seasons, passively gathering data for us to analyze."

Blizzard doesn't reveal exactly how it detects these devices, but it did emphasize the gravity of this challenge due to the devices being designed to be undetectable. The company has been passively gathering data for several seasons to refine its detection methods.

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How Overwatch 2 plans to remove unapproved peripherals from the game

Starting Season 11, Overwatch 2 is implementing a two-phase penalty system to discourage the use of unapproved peripherals which grant console players mouse and keyboard functionality. First-time offenders will face a one-week suspension from competitive console play but still have access to Quick Play.

However, repeat offenders will be forced to play with other mouse and keyboard users in Quick Play for the entire season, effectively removing the advantage gained by using unapproved peripherals on consoles.

Additionally, these players will lose access to the aim-assist feature, further leveling the playing field. This forces those who rely on such peripherals to compete in a pool designed for their control scheme while protecting the experience for traditional console players.

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The future of mouse and keyboard for console players in Overwatch 2

Acknowledging that some players prefer using a mouse and keyboard, Blizzard is exploring the possibility of officially supporting these peripherals on consoles. The key concern is maintaining fair play. The developers said:

"We have started discussing whether we can add official mouse-and-keyboard support to consoles in a way that doesn’t give these players an unfair advantage over their controller counterparts."

The initial idea involves creating separate matchmaking pools for console players who choose a mouse and keyboard. This would ensure they compete against other users with the same setup, without the advantage of aim assist that's designed for controller users. While details are still under discussion, this could be a future option for console players who favor the mouse and keyboard control scheme.