Blizzard has doubled down on its fight against cheaters in Overwatch 2, announcing that over 1 million accounts have been banned since the game’s launch. This sweeping action comes as part of a broader effort to maintain fair competition across both PC and console lobbies.
Targeting Xim Users on Consoles
One of the main focuses of Blizzard’s crackdown is the misuse of mice and keyboards on consoles, a practice commonly known as “ximming.” These devices allow players to gain unfair advantages over controller users, making competitive play unbalanced.
Blizzard revealed that its new detection system has already taken over 23,000 actions against xim users in console lobbies. Starting in Season 18, the rules are stricter than ever:
- Previously: Offenders received warnings and were placed in the PC Pool.
- Now: Players using unauthorized devices face immediate and permanent bans.
Even those who team up with cheaters can face consequenc
A Wider War on Cheating
Beyond xim devices, Blizzard is also targeting other forms of cheating, including:
- Aimbots
- Wallhacks
- Exploits
Every type of unfair advantage is on Blizzard’s radar, with violators being swiftly punished.
Blizzard’s Message to Players
In an official blog post, Blizzard stressed that the goal is clear:
“Every Overwatch 2 match should be determined by skill and passion, not cheating.”
While Blizzard admits the battle against cheaters will never truly end, its commitment to new detection technology and harsher penalties signals a strong stance to preserve competitive integrity—especially for console players who make up a large portion of the player base.
Key Takeaway
With over 1 million accounts banned, Blizzard has made its position clear: cheating in Overwatch 2 will not be tolerated. Players can expect stricter enforcement moving forward as the company works to ensure every match feels fair, fun, and skill-based. You can read all about it at the game’s official blog post.
