Respawn will detect if console gamer plays Apex Legends with mouse and keyboard keyboard

Respawn Entertainment, the developer of Apex Legends, is testing several methods to detect whether players are using a mouse and keyboard to play the game on their PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.

The developer says in a post on Reddit that it does not approve of this practice of swapping the regular controller for mouse and keyboard. Respawn says it is testing several ways to detect when this happens, but the company has not released any further details yet. Respawn’s community manager reports that more information will be provided in the near future, including progress in detection capabilities and what will happen to players who continue to use mouse and keyboard.

In the post, Respawn doesn’t explain its objections to this practice, but that probably has to do with the fact that mouse and keyboard players can basically gain a competitive advantage over those using the regular controller. Several players reject Respawn’s position under the Reddit post. They point out that players with controllers are not necessarily at a disadvantage when it comes to aiming precision.

From the hardware makers, Sony and Microsoft, mouse and keyboard support seems to be gradually becoming the norm. For example, Sony has officially licensed the Hori Tactical Assault Commander Pro; in fact, that’s a combination of a small keyboard and mouse intended especially for the PlayStation 4.

Microsoft has added keyboard and mouse support to the Xbox One since November last year. Several games offer this option, although the makers have to choose it themselves. Respawn didn’t opt ​​for that, but players know how to use it anyway.

This is possible via a USB adapter from XIM, with which the player can use different input devices as desired. This is a godsend for people with a physical disability, for example, but in games such as Apex Legends, Overwatch and Fortnite it is also used by players without such a disability. Because the console thinks that the mouse and keyboard being used is a gamepad, it can sometimes also use aiming assistance, giving these players a significant advantage.