The open beta for Destiny 2 on PC has started. Clever players are exploring the possibilities of controlling with mouse and keyboard as well as controller – and making exciting discoveries – especially regarding aim assist.
Bungie has promised players that everyone should get their money’s worth with their preferred input device on PC. Switching seamlessly between mouse/keyboard and controller is also possible.
The game automatically recognizes which device commands are being entered from and adjusts certain parameters of the game automatically.
When playing with the controller, a hidden parameter – the so-called aim assist – is significantly increased. Aim assist ensures that targets are easier to hit (to put it simply, a high aim assist enlarges the hitbox of the opponent). This is intended to compensate for the lower precision of the controller when aiming.
With XIM 4, you play with a mouse but benefit from the strong aim assist bonus in Destiny 2 on PC
And here things get tricky: There are devices (e.g., XIM4) that allow you to play with a mouse and keyboard, even though the game is deceived into thinking a controller is being used.
Specifically, signals sent from the mouse and keyboard are converted into the controller layout. In the case of Destiny 2, this means that players can play with a mouse and keyboard AND benefit from the increased aim assist of the controller.
The community’s opinion is clear – this combination is absolutely broken, and nothing changes that, not even the following video from an eager guardian who demonstrated that using a controller increases weapon recoil.
What are the effects on gameplay and difficulty?
Many see the danger that the PvE content is trivialized – the effects for the competitive multiplayer mode go even further.
Players using the mouse/keyboard combination and XIM4 will have a significant advantage. Opinions are clear here – Bungie needs to take action. Suggestions range from completely disabling aim assist on PC – regardless of input method – or strictly separating PvE and PvP modes.
Community Manager Cozmo has responded to this discussion: They will investigate the “aim assist” issue on PC. More will be said after the PC beta.
What do you think? How should Bungie react here? Let us know in the comments!
