Valorant has been playable in beta on Xbox Series and PS5 since June 14, 2024. The first shooter fans are already diligently testing the console version of the tactical shooter and sharing their impressions on social media. A particularly large discussion was sparked by Riot’s handling of cheaters on PS5 and Xbox Series X, as players of another tactical shooter are envious of the strict measures.
How is cheating done on consoles? The biggest cheating problem in shooters on consoles is the use of mouse and keyboard (often referred to as “MnK”) in games that do not support mouse and keyboard play. This applies, for example, to the console version of Valorant, but also to Ubisoft’s tactical shooter Rainbow Six: Siege.
In both games, mouse and keyboard control is not natively supported. Players who still want to play with mouse and keyboard resort to so-called spoofers. These are devices that trick the console into thinking a controller is being used when it is not.
In both Rainbow Six: Siege and Valorant, the use of mouse and keyboard on consoles is considered cheating. Ubisoft and Riot take a clear stance on this and impose penalties when players still use mouse and keyboard on consoles. However, the penalties imposed by Riot Games in Valorant are received much better by players than those from Ubisoft.
How does Valorant deal with MnK players? If a player is caught using a mouse and keyboard in Valorant, they are banned and the match is immediately ended – no one loses MMR (points in ranked) or has to waste their time in games against cheaters.
Riot Games states very clearly:
Mouse and keyboard are not supported, and attempts to use them on consoles (e.g., spoofing) will lead to a ban. Valorant for consoles is intended to be played with a controller.
Developers of Valorant on the use of mouse and keyboard on console via riotgames.com
How does Rainbow Six: Siege deal with MnK players? In Rainbow Six: Siege, console players who use mouse and keyboard are not banned. Instead, since 2023 there has been a so-called MouseTrap system.
If “MouseTrap” detects that a player on console is using a mouse and keyboard, that player receives what is known as input lag. Input lag manifests itself, for example, through delayed movements – the player might move their mouse, but the corresponding action in the game only occurs with a noticeable delay.
With Year 9 Season 4, players who have been detected using a spoofer three times to play with mouse and keyboard on console will also be added to the PC matchmaking player pool for 90 days.
“What has Ubisoft actually been doing for years?”
Why are players now envious of Valorant? A Reddit user shared a video in the Rainbow Six: Siege subreddit showing a player banned in Valorant on console for using a spoofer.
The user writes: “Valorant has just been released on consoles and they have already started banning Xim cheaters. What has Ubisoft actually been doing for years?” The user criticizes Ubisoft’s approach with their post and sounds envious of Valorant’s system.
Here you can see the user’s video on Reddit:
Other Reddit users also criticize the MouseTrap system in the comments and praise Valorant for issuing bans. Many players wish Ubisoft would also ban players instead of just giving them input lag.
Rainbow Six: Siege has had a problem with “mouse and keyboard” players on consoles for years. They have a significant advantage in Ubisoft’s shooter because there is no aim assist like in Call of Duty or Apex Legends to help controller players aim.
Ubisoft also has to face a lot of criticism in the current season of Rainbow: Six Siege because they added a new feature to the tactical shooter that is not well received by players: Ubisoft is considering a new feature for their most successful shooter and everyone hates it immediately.
