This has been sought after for a long time now
Microsoft has finally taken steps to combat unfair gameplay on their consoles. Microsoft has done this by adding a new policy that forbids the use of unauthorized third-party devices. It’s been reported that Xbox users who use these devices are met with a warning screen when they turn their consoles on. This warning informs them of the new policy regarding unauthorized third-party accessories which will come into effect on 13 November 2023.
Below you can see a picture of when the console detects an unauthorised device plugged into your console.
Many will not welcome this new change from Microsoft, but the majority will embrace it. It will help combat cheating on the Xbox consoles by preventing XIM and Cronus users from making use of these devices. Devices that have mainly been used in multiplayer PvP games.
They give the user an unfair advantage that can be described as plain cheating by removing skills from their gameplay. These devices have negatively impacted several multiplayer games over the years. With the new policy taking effect it will help reduce the number of cheaters in pvp games.
This new policy will help level the playing field for gamers by limiting cheaters. These devices that give their users unfair advantages had a massive impact on the industry. Players stop playing the game due to impossible odds against these cheaters.
As developers, this impacts their numbers for the game just as badly. The Cycle is a game that blew up in popularity but got flooded with cheaters. By the time the developers were able to implement proper anti-cheat software they lost the majority of their player base. This is a game that is shutting down now which for the most part is thanks to cheaters.
Such a loss isn’t always easy to come back from. Not every developer or publisher can just start in a new project. They do not all have the funding available that the larger publishers have. So cheating in competitive games can have serious negative feedback on the entire industry. Microsoft taking part in the fight against online cheating is a step in the right direction.
Competitive multiplayer games are skill-based, at least that’s how they ought to be. It is player vs player at the end of the day. The winner is determined normally by being better than anyone else in the match. Ensuring equal playing fields ensures the games stay fun.