I’m a mid masters console doomfist player who, as you would expect, plays using a controller. However, as I’ve increased in elo, I have noticed that, at least above diamond, almost every DPS player, particularly hitscan, uses a xim (a device that puts keyboard inputs through a controller, thus allowing mouse and keyboard on console). This is obviously incredibly unfair, but I don’t know if it can actually be considered cheating. Can anyone verify this? If it is (which I believe it would be, as it’s a third party device that gives an advantage) then how / why is it still so prevalent? The hardware itself may be hard to detect, but when players flick 180 degrees in a fraction of a second (something that is physically impossible on a controller) surely this can be detected and used to ban players? I’m simply searching for answers, as it’s seemingly impossible to get a game without people using a xim, and they ruin my experience.
I don’t think the devs have discussed XIM in a long time (publically, atleast). Last time I heard Jeff talk about it I think he said something like:
“We don’t like the usage of third party hardware, and we consider it an unfair advantage. We’re looking into a way to automatically detect and ban XIM users, so plezz don’t report”.
Something along those lines
I’m also a masters player on console and have played against many of those people. I’m sure you don’t understand exactly how the device works, I have got the chance to try one before and it is limited to everything a controller is. It can’t break the turn cap, all it really does is give you the chance to point and click. Usually the better controller player can beat them still.
This is false. You are still bound to the limits of controller input, meaning you can’t turn faster with a Xim than with a controller.
Source: I used a Xim when I played on console.
Other replies have stated this isn’t possible with XIM technology. However, this is possible for Nintendo Switch players who use Gyro controls. Though I doubt any are left, especially in the higher ranks, the existence of Gyro makes it seem like it would be harder to see XIM users just through replays alone. It doesn’t help that, IIRC, a player can only detect someone on the same console as them - an Xbox player can identify another Xbox player, but they can’t technically see the difference between a Playstation and Switch player.
Tbh, most XIM users I notice aren’t nearly as good compared to genji/tracer players that use controller. They’re actually insane.
XIM uses the controller inputs itself so it can’t move beyond any extent that a controller can.
they do not ban people for using xim
those guys are on every console game. better just get used to it and suck it up. or do it urself to even the playing field.
Is it possible to bypass the analog stick deadzone with proper XIM settings? I’ve heard people say it’s possible, but I don’t know if that’s coming from people who’ve actually used XIM.
Yeah, the default xim settings are set in such a way that you don’t have a deadzone.
This is why OWL is and probably always will be PC-based…
The mouse and keyboard experience you get on console with a XIM cant be compared in the slightest with native mouse and keyboard input on PC . So your argument is void.
I think your reading comprehension is askew… I am making the point that the controls on PC are superior even with XIM which is why OWL will be just PC-based…
Well then even with your “explanation”, I can’t seem to understand the point you are making. So either my comprehension is lacking right now or your ability to make your point comprehensible.
Scan is arguing that most Xim user are worse than their controller counterparts. Now, I understood you to argue against that by suggesting that since OWL is based on MnK, XIM users will also have an advantage over their controller counterparts since its globally agreed upon that MnK is better than controller.
If this was not your argument, I don’t see the connection to your comment saying “This is why OWL is and probably always will be PC-based”. How is controller being better than XIM the reason why OWL is based on PC? But I am sure, you will help me out here to understand what you mean.
from what I understand it’s not easy to get XIM to act like KBM as even with the best settings you’re limited to controller movements.
Microsoft addressed this some time ago saying “each game can manually allow/disallow XIM on a hardware level”… Essentially they were saying that Blizzard opt’d to not disallow it.
Because I was responding in general to efforts to even raise controller effectiveness on a platform the game supports in a tertiary way. If you want the right play one should save up for a gaming PC, they are not that expensive these days.
Wasn’t this statement in reference to native mouse and keyboard support? Blizzard doesn’t have the means to detect XIM since it’s emulating controller input. I guess they could develop an algorithm that would check for specific controller settings, since most XIM users use similar settings such as highest controller sensitivity, specific aim assist settings and so on, but I reckon that this would be rather time consuming and not really worth the effort.
A simple solution to this problem would be to allow mouse and keyboard support for everyone on console. This way they could also enable comp cross play.
Now, I understand what you mean. I think that’s also what most xim users do that have the means to get a PC. I had initially bought a XIM to get the PC experience but quickly realized that it’s not comparable which lead to me buying a PC.
hmmmm 
its hard to code into games and may not always be possible
Fortnite tried to do this and failed, their fix also banned official sony hardware which isnt allowed. they had to revert it and then said it would take too many resources to pull off.
their next fix was nerfing aim assist to the point that it didnt matter if people used xim, you can already use a kb and M on consoles anyway
Blizzard doesnt seem to know how to code this in ow, whats really strange is why wont they add kb and m support like other games do? even paladins has this on consoles