Less than a week into the Valorant Console Limited Beta, Riot Games is already making a strong statement against cheaters. The company’s robust Vanguard anti-cheat system has begun banning players caught using the XIM adapter, a device that allows users to connect a mouse and keyboard to their console, granting them an unfair advantage in the controller-only environment.
The XIM adapter has long been a thorn in the side of console gaming, particularly in competitive shooters like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and even Battle Royales like Apex Legends. By allowing players to use a mouse and keyboard in a controller-only setting, the device grants users a significant advantage in terms of quick movement and more accurate aim.
This has led to a proliferation of cheaters in these games, frustrating legitimate players and undermining the competitive integrity of the titles.
However, Riot Games appears to have found a solution. Valorant‘s Vanguard anti-cheat, which has been praised for its effectiveness on PC, is now proving its worth on consoles as well!
Caught Red-Handed
The first evidence of Vanguard’s success in detecting and banning XIM users on console came in the form of a video shared on X by user Anti-Cheat Police Department (@AntiCheatPD).
The clip shows a console Valorant match abruptly ending, with the familiar red ‘Match Terminated’ screen from the PC version appearing to indicate that a cheater had been detected and banned.
Valorant‘s head of anti-cheat, Phillip Koskinas, reacted to the ban by replying to the original post, writing:
This prompt action and public acknowledgment demonstrate Riot Games’ commitment to maintaining a fair and competitive environment in Valorant, even as the game expands to new platforms.
Riot’s approach to combating XIM cheaters on PlayStation and Xbox has also drawn comparisons to the efforts of other developers, such as Blizzard and Ubisoft, who have faced similar challenges in their games.
In Overwatch 2, Blizzard implemented a two-strike policy for players caught using XIM adapters or other unauthorized peripherals. First-time offenders receive a seven-day competitive mode ban, while repeat offenders face permanent bans from competitive play. This system has proven effective in discouraging cheaters and maintaining a fair playing field for legitimate players.
Similarly, Ubisoft has taken steps to address the XIM problem in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. The company introduced a new anti-cheat measure called “MouseTrap,” which detects when a player is using a mouse and keyboard on console and applies increasing levels of input lag to their controls. This approach aims to discourage cheaters by making the game progressively more difficult to play with unauthorized peripherals.
Vanguard’s Vigilance
Valorant has long been known for its strict approach to maintaining competitive integrity on PC, largely thanks to the Vanguard anti-cheat system. While some players have raised concerns about the system’s invasive nature and potential privacy implications, Riot Games has remained steadfast in its belief that a robust, always-on, kernel-level anti-cheat is necessary to combat cheaters effectively.
Now, as Valorant expands to consoles, Riot Games is bringing that same level of vigilance to the new platform. By detecting and banning XIM users right from the start of the Console Limited Beta, the company is sending a clear message that cheating will not be tolerated, regardless of the device players use.
As the Valorant Console Limited Beta continues and more players join the fray, Vanguard will undoubtedly face new challenges and attempts to circumvent its detection methods. However, if the system’s early performance is any indication, Riot Games is more than well-equipped to handle whatever cheaters may throw at it!
VALORANT is available on PC via Riot’s official website and the Epic Games Store, with a limited beta for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S currently in full swing.
