Respawn Entertainment is stepping up its fight against cheating in Apex Legends with new detection systems designed specifically to identify players using unauthorized controller hardware, modifications, and software.
The new anti-cheat measures will operate across every major Apex Legends platform, including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2. Respawn says players caught by the detection systems will face enforcement and bans.
In brief:
- Apex Legends is introducing new systems for detecting unauthorized controller hardware and software.
- The detection technology covers PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 2.
- Players detected using prohibited modifications to gain an unfair advantage can be banned.
- Respawn banned more than 8,600 players for cheating during its latest seven-day ban wave.
Apex Legends Targets Modified Controllers Across All Platforms
According to Respawn, the studio has spent several months validating its new detection systems to make sure they can accurately identify prohibited behavior before taking action against players.
The developer specifically warned players using controller modifications, external devices, or software to gain an unfair advantage to stop using them.
Console players will not be exempt either. Respawn confirmed that the detection and enforcement systems apply across PC and consoles, including Nintendo Switch 2.
The initiative builds on Respawn’s previous crackdown on third-party hardware. Earlier this year, the developer specifically classified devices such as Strikepacks, Cronus, XIM, and similar hardware as cheating when they are used to automate actions, manipulate recoil, alter inputs, or otherwise provide an unfair advantage.
Respawn Bans More Than 8,600 Apex Legends Cheaters
Respawn also revealed the scale of its latest enforcement efforts. During a seven-day period, the studio issued 8,609 cheating bans, including:
- 290 DMA-related bans
- 76 Titan Controller bans
- 267 bans linked to a newly detected cheat provider
Additionally, 96 Predator-level players were banned across all platforms over the previous two weeks.
Respawn says its match infection rate has fallen from 5.7% at the beginning of the season to 3.9%, suggesting its ongoing anti-cheat efforts are having an impact.
The developer says these new controller detection systems are only the beginning, with further improvements planned as cheating methods continue to evolve.
