The team behind Overwatch 2, Blizzard, is taking steps to address the issue of players using unauthorized peripherals like a keyboard and mouse on consoles. This problem has been affecting the Overwatch 2 community since its inception, as players with these peripherals gain an unfair advantage over controller users in game modes like Quick Play and Competitive.
Overwatch 2 has undergone various updates, including multiple seasons, hotfixes, and balance tweaks, similar to its predecessor, Overwatch. The recent launch of Overwatch 2 Season 10 on April 16 introduced new content like the Hero Venture and updates to the battle pass. As the current season progresses until late June, Blizzard is ramping up efforts to curb the use of keyboard and mouse setups on consoles in preparation for the upcoming season.
Senior game producer Adam Massey and lead gameplay engineer Daniel Razza from Overwatch 2 have confirmed their immediate actions against players employing keyboard and mouse on consoles. A detection system is in place to identify Overwatch 2 console players using unauthorized peripherals to gain an unfair edge. Massey and Razza mentioned that this system has been developed and refined over several Overwatch 2 seasons. Moving forward, players found using such peripherals, including XIMs and aim assist tools, will face permanent bans within the next few weeks without prior warning during Overwatch 2 Season 10.
Blizzard's Crackdown on Overwatch 2 Console Players Using Keyboard and Mouse
- Unauthorized peripherals will be detected by Blizzard's new in-game system.
- Severe abusers will face immediate permanent bans in Season 10.
- Season 11 will introduce a two-phase detection system:
- First infraction leads to a one-week Competitive play restriction.
- Subsequent violations confine players to Quick Play with other keyboard and mouse users only.
Massey and Razza highlighted the prevalence of keyboard and mouse usage in high-ranked Overwatch 2 play, especially in the Grand Master and Champion tiers on consoles. Blizzard's actions aim to promote fair play in the competitive upper echelons and ensure that players with accessibility requirements are not unjustly targeted by the detection system.
In Overwatch 2 Season 11, players caught using unauthorized peripherals will face consequences in two stages. Initially, offenders will be barred from Competitive mode on consoles for a week upon detection of an unauthorized peripheral. If they discontinue its use completely, the restriction will be lifted after a week, granting access to Competitive play. Persistent use of keyboard and mouse will result in continued exclusion from Competitive mode and placement in Quick Play alongside other keyboard and mouse users for the remainder of the season.
Lastly, addressing the community's call for official keyboard and mouse support on Overwatch 2 consoles, Blizzard is exploring ways to implement this support without creating an unfair advantage over controller users. Further details regarding the game's peripheral detection system and other updates will be shared by the developers at a later date.