Valve will no longer allow automation with the use of a new Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions (SOCD) technology in Razer and Wooting keyboards. The feature, termed ‘Snap Tap’ by Razer and ‘Snapp Tappy’ by Wooting, allows players to automate switching strafing directions without learning the skill.
By automating the switch in the movement direction, players will not have to precisely release one key before pressing another, simplifying counter-strafing in Counter-Strike 2. SOCD would enable rapid tapping of the A or D keys to easily counter-strafe. Valve said that some forms of scripting and automation had been accepted as plays such as “jump throws” would otherwise be impossible.
The company refused to allow automation and scripting, such as counter-strafing, with the SOCD feature, which grants players an advantage over others — working on one’s coordination and reaction time has always been an integral part of becoming better at Counter-Strike.
“We are no longer going to allow automation (via scripting or hardware) that circumvent these core skills and, moving forward, (and initially–exclusively on Valve Official Servers) players suspected of automating multiple player actions from a single game input may be kicked from their match,” the video game company stated.
Previously allowed binds such as jump throws and null binds (any binds that include more than one movement and/or attack actions) will not work anymore. The company further said that some recent hardware features have blurred the line between manual inputs and automation, pushing them to draw a line.
Use of the Snap Tap feature will not result in an account ban; however, the player will be removed from the match. Wooting, in a post of X, said that they are glad about Valve’s move and advised players to refrain from using the keyboard feature.
Professional Counter-Strike 2 players had called for the feature to be banned, similar to how null binds, which prevent players from pressing two keys in opposite directions, have been banned in tournaments. Razer was the first company to add SOCD technology to its Huntsman V3 keyboard lineup last month. Wooting implemented the feature shortly after.
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