Ubisoft’s MouseTrap system for detecting cheaters in Rainbow Six Siege is already seeing results. Cheaters use devices like XIM to spoof controller inputs, and MouseTrap has now caused a “major reduction” of more than 70 percent in the amount of mouse and keyboard users on consoles.
The team behind MouseTrap has provided an update on the progress of the detection system, nearly three months after it was first added to Rainbow Six Siege earlier this year. “There has been a 78 percent reduction in the total spoofers (Mouse and Keyboard users) detected in Rainbow Six Siege,” explains Ubisoft in a blog post today. “If we look at Ranked on its own, the reduction is similar; 73 percent fewer spoofers than before.”
Ubisoft had predicted a reduction of between 30 and 50 percent, so “the data we’ve gathered has surpassed these expectations and has shown a major reduction in the amount of Mouse and Keyboard users on consoles.” This means that a majority of cheaters have simply turned off devices like XIM, Cronus Zen, and ReaSnow S1, which are often used in online competitive shooters to allow mouse and keyboard users to get the benefits of aim assist from a controller mixed with the benefits of movement from mouse and keyboard.
MouseTrap has had a big impact on XIM cheaters in Rainbow Six Siege.Image: Ubisoft
Ubisoft has been combating cheaters who use third-party devices by implementing additional latency to disrupt their aim and movement. This has resulted in many cheaters abandoning the use of such devices.
However, the MouseTrap team has faced challenges. Ubisoft acknowledges that there was an exploit in the system that was patched in late June, allowing some users to evade the MouseTrap penalties. It is an ongoing battle against the developers of third-party cheating hardware, so it is expected that new workarounds and exploits may arise in the future. The MouseTrap team promises to continue monitoring and updating the system and penalties to ensure a fair and level playing field for console players.
The issue of third-party cheating devices extends beyond Rainbow Six Siege. Last year, Epic Games imposed permanent bans on players using Cronus Zen and Cronus Max, while Bungie has updated its Destiny 2 terms of use to potentially ban players who exploit these tools for unfair advantages.