Riot Games is currently hosting the limited closed beta for the console version of its popular competitive first-person shooter Valorant but the anti-cheat has already started to ban players from using a mouse and keyboard.
The situation comes as the Valorant console beta only supports controllers, which means that any player who is detected using a mouse and keyboard via an adapter will get banned. This is done automatically thanks to Riot Games' anti-cheat software.
Valorant Bans Players in Console Beta
(Photo : Riot Games / Screenshot taken from official website)
A video that was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, by a user named Anti-Cheat Police Department, showed a console Valorant match that abruptly ended. Then, a red screen appeared stating that a cheat was detected in the game.
This led to the match being canceled and the cheater being banned from the game. In a comment on Reddit, Valorant tech Marcus Reid confirmed that the game's anti-cheat would detect anyone using an XIM device or a similar device and subsequently ban them, according to GameSpot.
The mentioned XIM is an adapter that allows players to plug in a mouse and keyboard to their console devices and have it recognized as a controller. Not only does the adapter allow them to use a mouse and a keyboard, but it also gives an additional advantage because aim assist in the game also works on them.
This has naturally led to many players using the device in controller-only lobbies to give themselves an edge over their opponents. Cheaters have also run rampant in many competitive shooters on consoles.
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Phillip Koskinas, the head of anti-cheat at Riot Games, shared the video on X and wrote, "A satisfied first customer." The situation comes despite Valorant's closed console beta has only been out for less than a week.
Riot Games first announced the closed beta for console devices to play Valorant during the recently concluded Summer Game Fest 2024 showcase. It began on June 14, 2024, and featured PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and affected players from the NA, EU, and JP regions, said IGN.
Using Mouse and Keyboard
The video that was shared on X featured a player fidgeting with a dagger while in the background were the sounds of mechanical clicks. This is presumably their keyboard being used for the console version of the first-person shooter game.
After that, the screen shows red with the "Cheater Detected" pop-up and when the player tries to rejoin the game, they are consistently kicked out, which indicates a ban. There is also a pop-up informing them that they have violated the terms of service and have not upheld the integrity of the match.
The players who are allowed to participate in the closed beta are only console players and they will be paired with other console players for a fair matchup without PC users. This is despite cross-progression being active and players can use their existing PC account to play Valorant on consoles.
It is currently unclear whether or not the ban on the mouse and keyboard for Valorant's console version will persist when the game launches in full.
This is because many other competitive games, such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Apex Legends, allow cross-platform matches. Including PCs and consoles, according to VideoGamer.
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