Apex Legends Season 18: Macro Cheats Controversy
Apex Legends Season 18 is off to a rough start as players accuse the FPS game's most recent season of being marred by an influx of "unfair" macros in Apex Legends. The controversy has been a hot topic among the Apex Legends community, with some players saying the macros are ruining the Apex Legends experience for MnK and controller players alike. MnK players in particular say they feel like they're being forced to play against bots, and some are even considering quitting the "impossible" game.
The Apex Legends macro controversy comes as developers Respawn are expected to roll out the next Apex Legends season later this week. But the game's competitive scene has been overtaken by talk of the "cheating" macros, which are automated scripts that perform complex actions and give players an unfair advantage.
In a video posted by MnK player "Kirito," players show off their strategies using macros, which range from rapid-fire shooting and recoil control to seemingly automated reloads and ability uses. MnK players say they're being forced to play against players who can pull off these actions without actually pressing buttons, which they say creates an experience that's not only unfair but also feels like playing against bots.
"This is getting ridiculous," Kirito says in the video. "We've been reporting these cheaters for the past two days, and nothing has been done about them. So now we're at a point where I don't know if I want to play Apex anymore."
Apex Legends players have also taken to Reddit to express their frustration over the use of macros in the game's competitive landscape. "I'm a competitive player and I hate cheaters, and I have to admit I'm starting to feel the same way [Kirito] does," one player writes. "I don't want to play the game anymore because I feel like I'm playing against bots."
Other players are taking to the Apex Legends subreddit to call for stricter measures against macro users in the competitive scene. "They should be banned," one player writes. "It's not even fair to play against someone using them. It's ruining competitive."
Other players, however, believe macros are a legitimate strategy within the game's rules. "Everyone wants to win," another player writes. "If macros are a tool to help you do that, then why would you be against it?"
Respawn has faced pressure from the Apex Legends community in the past when it comes to issues like cheaters, scammers, and hackers. The Apex Legends developers have said they are "aware of the situation" in regards to macros, but some players say there has been a lack of action when it comes to taking steps against macro users.
"The lack of action from Respawn on this issue is making me consider quitting," one player says. "I don't want to play against bots and if they're not going to do anything about it, then I don't want to play anymore."
The Apex Legends macro controversy has also spilled over into the competitive scene, with some players frustrated by the lack of action. "Macros are ruining the competitive scene," one player says. Another adds, "If you're playing in a competitive match and you see a player using macros, report them. It's unfair to the other players."
Apex Legends developer Respawn has previously said it is "actively investigating" claims that macros are being used in Apex Legends ranked matches.
