PlayStation Has Blocked Hardware Cheating Device Cronus Zen, Others May Follow 29
PlayStation 5 system update blocks Cronus Zen controller adapter. The $100+ device promises controller compatibility but also enables gameplay "amplification." Sony crackdown follows concerns over GamePacks providing unfair advantages in Call of Duty and other online multiplayer titles. Cronus admits no timeframe for a fix. Workaround requires avoiding update or using Remote Play.
They don't want to remove their flagship feature? (Score:2)
Cronus admits no timeframe for a fix.
No timeline to remove the key feature that people buy the controller specifically for? Imagine that! The nerve!
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They will more likely find a way to make it invisible again, so it can't be blocked.
It's a shame because modified controllers are really helpful for accessibility. I modify some of mine to add auto-fire, for example, because of arthritis. Obviously I don't use it in multiplayer games.
People even abuse the accessibility features built into games, like the auto steer in Forza to farm in-game currency.
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auto steer in Forza to farm in-game currency.
Ahh. Didn't hear of that. Makes sense seeing all the custom rides and super $$$ in-game mods.
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Obviously I don't use it in multiplayer games.
Maybe they do this already but wouldn't the more fair thing is to say to this company that they can ID themselves to be allowed on single player titles only? If the company refused that deal then they're really just marketing for cheaters and no choice but to block it all, accessibility be damned.
Once again the cheaters ruin something nice for everyone.
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I think the issue is that even in single player, there are advantages to cheating such as earning in-game currency faster or getting achievements. In some games those can translate into real benefits.
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If you can ID the controller you can let the dev decide what they want to do, just like so many Steam games disable achievements if you use a cheat or don't play in an Ironman type mode.
If the single player game you play is so wound up in selling it's in game currency that they would disable a controller helping disabled people over it, well, there's the information you as a player need.
Who wrote that? (Score:1)
Sounds like it was sent via Western Union telegraph.
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Western Union costs 15 cents an word so we need to cut down the words used.
mouse and keyboard blocked banning all third party (Score:2)
mouse and keyboard blocked as well banning all third party controller.
let's see the EU will fine them for this.
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mouse and keyboard blocked as well banning all third party controller. let's see the EU will fine them for this.
Legitimate mouse and keyboard use in games that support it on consoles isn't blocked so that's going nowhere.
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I don't know how I feel about the notion of "games that support it".
Having used the original Steam Controller, and now the Steam Deck, it's actually pretty cool how well those work for playing games that were never intended for controllers. I'm fine with segregating matchmaking based on input device, but the notion that you shouldn't be allowed to choose the peripheral that you wish to play a game with doesn't sit well with me (especially if it's a game where one type of input device is clearly better than
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Did you miss the part where I said "I'm fine with segregating matchmaking based on input device"?
I don't choose input devices for the primary purpose of gaining a competitive advantage. I choose an input device based on what feels the most comfortable in the game. Any advantage is secondary, and is easily handled by just making separate matchmaking.
Their website is absolute garbage. Don't bother (Score:2)
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USB HID has not authentication whatsoever. You can just set the IDs. But there are USB vendor extensions. If anything not easy to clone is in there, it will be on that.
As to feeding analog inputs, that is actually not that hard (I have done it), but if you do it commercially you may run into a ton of legal issues.
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As to feeding analog inputs, that is actually not that hard (I have done it), but if you do it commercially you may run into a ton of legal issues.
I'm interested in hearing more about that. I'd figure that if anything, it would be more permissible to sell a kit that simply interfaces with a legitimate controller, rather than selling something that pretends to be a legitimate controller (especially if Sony can spin it as some kind of DRM so that anti-circumvention provisions would apply).
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Well, legally it does not matter whether you interface the base-device via the USB port or via the analog inputs of an existing controller. Conceptually, it is the same thing. The modified controller is not the original controller anymore and if they can block non-original controllers legally, they can block both. And they can probably also legally prevent commercial modifications to their hardware as long as it is not just a single instance or small number for somebody that actually has some accessibility
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It probably does clone the VID/PID. The problem is the authentication - Sony devices authentica
Re: Their website is absolute garbage. Don't bothe (Score:2)
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C'est la guerre (Score:2)
So you're telling me that in order to ensure victory you had to buy expensive technology that might soon be rendered obsolete by circumstances beyond your control? It sounds like that controller added an extra touch of realism to CoD. The vendors should offer players a plan to remedy this situation. Their first deliverable will be a Gant chart laying out a timetable to develop a solution some time within the next 10 years, at a rather high price to which they are not even contractually obligated to maint
Double edged sword (Score:4, Insightful)
People need alternate controllers. Especially as we age. At the same time cheaters will use them to their advantage and making online games much less fair and fun.
And I think there is an inverse correlation with age here. When younger we don't actually need "help" with accessibility (at least most of us fortunate enough). But many of us are steered towards cheating in games, usually for bragging rights that we usually don't deserve.
Though, as we age, we need hardware support to keep up. My hands for example start aching in long gaming sessions. (Not to mentioned reduced reaction ability, but let's put that aside for now). But as we mature, we also no longer care about bragging, but just want to have fun. And here cheating by others (now) make it extremely frustrating to participate.
This is an interesting conundrum.
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> licensed for use on the PS5, they contain an
> ID/licence chip that the playstation polls
So, a hardware lock such that you have to pay a "Sony Tax" for the privlidge of interacting with hardware you own in the manner you choose versus just plugging in any standard USB mouse and keyboard? And you're endorsing this? 'Cuz that behavior is pretty much universally condemned here when any other company behaves similarly.
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Just have a competitive mode (Score:2)