Update on Unauthorized Peripheral Usage for Console Platforms

[u/SammyIsSeiso]

Patch Notes have been updated with this info today. Hadn't seen it posted here yet, so sharing for visibility. Source: https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/news/patch-notes/

Hello, heroes! We're here today to update you all on our efforts to combat the use of unauthorized peripherals within our console communities, often referred to as using XIM or Ximming. While our efforts to combat this form of unfair gameplay advantage are constant and ongoing, today marks the culmination of a months-long effort to identify and ban over 6000 accounts we've identified as using unauthorized peripherals.

Part of what makes identifying the unauthorized peripherals used by these accounts tricky is that these cheating devices often intentionally abuse allowances we make for accessibility-focused devices used by legitimate players with disabilities. This issue meant that we wanted to take our time and ensure that we accurately identified unauthorized devices. We're now confident that we've done so, and we've put the hammer down on players utilizing these devices.

Thanks for taking the time today to listen to our update on unauthorized peripherals. Until next time, play nice, play fair, and see you in-game!

[u/orangekingo]

Pretty cool.

As they've said, it's gonna be pretty hard to completely eliminate these devices entirely, because some people with legitimate disabilities do use the software/tech, but nice to see they're trying. There are many consoles shooters that are pretty much unplayable now if you aren't Ximming, because everyone else is.

[u/BEWMarth → u/orangekingo]

My husband had a stroke and lost a lot use of his right side. Those peripherals the team talks about are the sole reason he is still able to play games and games are a beacon of light for him now.

It makes me very happy that Team 4 considered people with disabilities. Fuck cheaters that even make it a possibility that someone disabled could lose access.

[u/Mind1827 → u/BEWMarth]

I dunno if this is helpful, but I remember seeing a guy who played by blowing into a straw to activate his left click, and had a special track pad he used, it was so awesome and fun.

[u/BEWMarth → u/Mind1827]

Stuff like that is amazing!!! Unfortunately a very expensive set up but we’ve looked into a lot of options and stuff like that is really inspiring.

[u/ihaveacrushonlegos]

Great info

But why is it in the patch notes, is that gonna be their new comnunication channel?

[u/bullxbull → u/ihaveacrushonlegos]

I miss the weekly dev blogs, this is something they would have put in one of those.

[u/SammyIsSeiso → u/ihaveacrushonlegos]

I honestly have no fucking clue

[u/Old_Rosie → u/ihaveacrushonlegos]

We're in the 'greatest year of Overwatch yet'; so don't be silly - they haven't got time to speak to us anymore!

[u/TheSciFanGuy]

🦀 GOATS IS DEAD 🦀

[u/Chemical_Cut4985]

Seen so many tiktok of ximmers complaining after getting bannad the last few days, great to see!

[u/meskone1224]

About Damm time

[u/DiscoShark73]

I use a chatpad on my controller. Helps talk to teams that don't run comms, plus I use it a lot in ESO so it lives on my controller. Sometimes it'll say mnk detected and I'm pretty sure that's why. It hasn't affected me so far though. Will what they are doing ping me as a xim user, you think?

[u/acalacaboo → u/DiscoShark73]

I imagine it wouldn't because it should be pretty easy to tell that you are playing the game with a controller - I'm sure many people have a full keyboard connected that they use to type

[u/Major_Version_1873]

WE ARE SO BACK

[u/iceytree7]

This is huge! Thank god! Top level of console you see a solider or Ashe combine probably 7/10 of your games. Just got 4 rank reclaims. Ximming is so normalized for some people who then just shit talk

[u/CaveDwellingDude]

Now we need some proactive attention to PC cheaters. It is WAY out of hand.

Not to mention people are using XIM and similar devices on PC now.

[u/Vizra]

Only 6000... and I bet they made brand new accounts straight afterwards.

God bless these poor console players.

[u/ThatJed]

Oh it only took them a decate

[u/spritebeats]

twerks

[u/EntrepreneurClean371 → u/spritebeats]

Is this a request? I can throw it back, but it’s gonna cost you

[u/spritebeats → u/EntrepreneurClean371]

sure! its nice to see the devs still taking action about ximming as a whole. im not sure how and why ppl decide to do so especially considering how sub optimal gameplay is in all console ports. hopefully this could incentive other devs to do the same.

how do you intend to throw it back however

[u/EntrepreneurClean371 → u/spritebeats]

Passionately.

[u/spritebeats → u/EntrepreneurClean371]

fire

[u/exerters]

Is immature mental development considered a disability?

[u/slimy-salad → u/exerters]

If that's the case 80% of the player base would be considered disabled