How common are ‘emulators’ on Console?
The PUBG Community manager (RoboDanjal) stated in a Twitter post that the usage of 3rd party devices was “statistically very low”. In my world, that means <5%. So, I’m guessing that most people would be lucky (or not) to encounter 1 or 2 users of an emulator (including Scuff controllers) in any round. If anyone has some other data, I would love to hear it.
Do they provide an advantage?
Jjju (DICE developer in charge of programming controls in BF) has stated:
“Mouse players just use hardware devices which emulate the controller - thus the game reads regular controller input. And since they emulate controller - all the turning speeds they do with the mouse can be done by the regular controller too.
Regardless, if you don't like such hardware, you'll have to convince Sony to not allow it.”
And,
“…currently with the mouse they just emulate a controller so they can't do something which a controller can't output. Also, all the controller input curves are applied so it is nowhere close to a PC mouse movement where the aiming movement matches the mouse physical movement.”
Advantage? Maybe. But, I’m guessing that some players are suspecting ‘cheaters’ in many more cases than there are actual users of emulators.
Why don’t Sony and MS do anything about it?
I think it is in Sony & MS interest to ignore ‘emulator’ play on Consoles (k&m are already native on PS4/5 and Xbox). Neither company makes PCs for gaming, and PC users are a viable target for the next generation Consoles. Why would PC users consider a Console? Next gen graphics; no additional upgrade costs (e.g. SSD’s, memory, graphics cards, etc.); and no hackers. Also, native K&M would be a drawcard for ex-PC users, as they are used to desktop gaming.
If PC gaming were to gradually disappear, who would benefit? Sony and MS. Developers would also benefit – designing games for ‘closed’ systems would be much easier (and cheaper) that for PC.
But it’s unfair!
Obviously, a matter of opinion, if this thread is any indication. The question is, do Console makers care about maintaining the couch/TV playstyle enjoyed by Console users? IMHO, no! Not when there are sales to be gained from people switching from PC to Console.
I think that there will be a concerted push by Sony and MS to convert PC players to Consoles when the next generation of machines are freely available.
As BusinessInsider noted:
“Rather than looking like futuristic DVD player, like so many game consoles before it, the Xbox Series X resembles an austere PC tower.”
DigitalTrends said:
“Microsoft continues to blur the line between console and PC gaming, and the Xbox Series X certainly reflects that in its physical design”
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Why don’t they split the lobbies?
I think this will probably happen with the next generation of Consoles, particularly if crossplay is enabled between PS and Xbox. This would give them the critical mass of players to make it worthwhile.
Full disclosure, I switched from a high end gaming PC to PS4, after BF4. The cost of upgrading, and the increasing number of hackers, made it an easy decision.
