Blizzard is finally talking about how they are combating the ximming issue on Overwatch 2. Starting in Season 11, if a console player is detected to be using a mouse and keyboard on a console version of Overwatch 2, they will be banned from playing Competitive for a week. While they will still be able to play Quick Play, if they are still found to be ximming, they will then be placed in PC Quick Play matches and lose access to the aim assist tools that console players get.
This announcement comes in the latest Director’s Take blog, which has senior game producer Adam Massey and lead gameplay engineer Daniel Razza stepping in for Aaron Keller. Over the course of the last few seasons, Blizzard has been investigating the Overwatch 2 ximming issue. They found that a large majority of those cheaters have been using a keyboard and mouse in console matches at the higher levels of play. The metal ranks lower down the ladder had very few found instances. Of course, equipment used for ximming often has tech in it to fight being detected, so there may be cases that were missed.
Overwatch 2 ximming isn’t just being paid attention to for the future, though. Over the next few weeks, accounts that were found to be cheating in this matter the most will be permanently banned. On the more innocent side, the blog says that the team has been focused on making sure anyone using an accessibility controller would not be affected negatively by playing with their controller.
We are glad to see Blizzard taking steps to combat Overwatch 2 ximming. There was more talk about potentially making a way for players who want to play with a keyboard and mouse on console to be put in the PC pool when detected automatically, but that seems like a possibility for the future. The big thing is taking out the players who are trying to get the upper advantage playing against people using a controller.
