Summary
TheOverwatch 2developers at Blizzard are taking action against players using unapproved peripherals on consoles, such as mouse and keyboard. This particular issue has been affecting theOverwatch 2community since launch, as keyboard and mouse players on consoles gain a significant advantage against controller users in Quick Play and Competitive.
Overwatch 2has been updated over time with multiple seasons, hotfixes, and balance adjustments, just like the originalOverwatchgame. On April 16,Overwatch 2Season 10 launched with the new Hero Venture, battle pass changes, and much more. The season will last until late June, and Blizzard is cracking down on keyboard and mouse users on consoles leading into the next season.
Overwatch 2senior game producer Adam Massey and lead gameplay engineer Daniel Razza confirmed that immediate action will be taken against players using keyboard and mouse on consoles. A detection system is in place, allowing Blizzard to catchOverwatch 2console players using keyboard and mouse or other nefarious tools to gain an unfair advantage. According to Massey and Razza, the detection system was built and refined over the course of multiple seasons inOverwatch 2. Going forward, permanent account bans will be issued within the next few weeks for players using these unapproved peripherals, including XIMs and aim assist tools. Blizzard did not share specific details on how the detection system works in the game, and the developers noted that players using third-party tools and keyboard and mouse would not be given warnings duringOverwatch 2Season 10.
Blizzard Issuing Bans for Overwatch 2Console Players Using Keyboard and Mouse
Massey and Razza explain that the use of keyboard and mouse inOverwatch 2high-ranked playwas prevalent, with usage being its highest at the Grand Master and Champion ranks on console. As a result, Blizzard’s actions are aimed at encouraging fair play in Competitive’s high ranks. Blizzard is also working to ensure that players with accessibility needs are not targeted by the detection system.
InOverwatch 2Season 11, any players using unapproved peripherals will be targeted in two phases. Firstly, the player will be restricted fromOverwatch 2’sCompetitive modeon consoles for one week if an unapproved peripheral is detected. If they cease to use the peripheral completely, the restriction will expire after one week and access to Competitive will be restored. Players who continue to use keyboard and mouse will be restricted from Competitive and forced to play with other keyboard and mouse users in Quick Play for the remainder of the season.
Lastly, Massey and Razza address the community’s desire for official keyboard and mouse support inthe console versions ofOverwatch 2. Blizzard is currently discussing how to introduce keyboard and mouse support without giving an unfair advantage against controller users. The developers will share more details about the game’s peripheral detection system and any other developments at a later date.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
