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Mouse and keyboard users are invading Overwatch on consoles

It is well known that the keyboard and mouse combo is generally faster and more accurate to aim with than a controller. This is why you won't find many developers willing to allow cross-platform multiplayer between PC and consoles for competitive games. However, there are ways out there for users to get a mouse and keyboard running on a console to gain an advantage, which is something Blizzard has had to tackle this week for Overwatch on PS4 and Xbox One.

The discussion started off on the Overwatch forums last week, when one player asked what Blizzard were doing to stop high-level Overwatch players on consoles from using mouse and keyboard to dominate controller users. Unsurprisingly, Blizzard objects to the use of mouse and keyboard on console, with Jeff Kaplan stepping in to comment on the matter.

“The Overwatch team objects to the use of mouse and keyboard on console. We have contacted both first-party console manufacturers and expressed our concern about the use of mouse and keyboard and input conversion devices. We have lobbied and will continue to lobby for first-party console manufacturers to either disallow mouse and keyboard and input conversion devices, OR openly and easily support mouse and keyboard for ALL players.”

Unfortunately for console players, it doesn't sound like Blizzard can actually do much to put a stop to the use of input conversion devices. Instead, Kaplan's post ends with a call for console players to reach out to hardware manufacturers with their concerns in a productive and respectful way.

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KitGuru Says: Input conversion methods still have their limitations on consoles as the mouse still needs to emulate an analogue stick. However, there would still be an extra degree of precision present and therefore an advantage over controller users. 

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9 comments

  1. So they admit that mouse/keyboard combo is better than controllers for shooters? 🙂

  2. As a pc and console gamer I cant remember anyone saying otherwise. That’s why Console First Person Shooters use Aim Assist. You can’t compare the two.

    I’m experimenting too varying degrees of success with a Steam Controller I picked up in the sales at Christmas, it attempts to blur the lines between controller and Mouse/Keyboard but at near 40yr old my brain is fighting back, it’s cool for RTS games and Skyrim but fast twitch games are beyond me so far.

  3. It was ALWAYS superior, and EVERYBODY always said it, so, they didn’t admited it

  4. lol console players say otherwise

  5. nope, they don’t. They know it is better, at least 80% of them

  6. Love my XIM4, baby! So many salty tears when I use it.

  7. Always go for the best tool for the job. For this type of game, of course pointing device aka mouse is faster. The keyboard itself is just buttons like d-pad. Hmm, is this why Steam created that hybrid gamepad?

  8. Oh i didn’t read your comment and posted, questioning Steam’s controller. Nice to know, i always thought that the controller was for adventure games. Like old school, King’s Quest, Grim Fandango, etc.

  9. Ben Floris Robberecht

    Just get a fuckin’ PC.
    Problem solved!