Epic Games is Reportedly Banning Fortnite Console XIM Users

A major topic of discussion that has been in the Fortnite Battle Royale community for some time has been the use of keyboard and mouse on consoles. With keyboard and mouse setups often being cited as giving a major competitive advantage over controllers, the issue of players using keyboards and mouses on console against players with controllers was seen as unfair. In order to combat this Epic Games had recently implemented a matchmaking system that scanned a player's input device, such as a controller or mouse and keyboard, and matched you against players with the same input device.

However, some players have been using XIM devices to mask their use of keyboard and mouse and trick their consoles into thinking they are using a controller. XIM devices are input adapters that cause a console to think that a keyboard and mouse setup is actually a controller. This in turn allows players to use a keyboard and mouse on any console title even if the game itself does not support keyboard and mouse. 

In order to combat the use of players using XIM devices on their consoles, Epic Games is reportedly banning XIM users on console thanks to the developer of the massively popular Battle Royale game of Fortnite now reportedly having the ability to scan for the use of XIM devices. When it is detected that a player is using a XIM adapter the player could then be subjected to being kicked or banned from Fortnite. 

Due to the movement, aim and building advantages that a keyboard and mouse can give to players when they are going up against players in a Fortnite match who are using a controller, Epic Games looks to be cracking down on those who are trying to deceive their matchmaking system.

Epic Games does allow for players who use controllers to go up against those who utilize keyboard and mouse at events such as the PAX West Fortnite Summer Skirmish Tournament and the upcoming Twitchcon Fortnite Fall Skirmish Tournament. However, this is a competitive setting where the players know this ahead of time and is used so that players from all platforms have the ability to compete. 

H/T - Fortnite Intel 

(cover photo courtesy of Playstation Universe)