Keyboards might be cheating now: what is Snap Tap/SOCD and why is it causing a crisis for competitive shooters?

SOCD allows a keyboard to interpret two key presses and automatically favour the last one pressed.

SOCD can be programmed by some gaming keyboards to allow for two keys to be pressed simultaneously but only one key's input to be registered by a system.

It's most effective in Counter-Strike , Valorant and Overwatch 2, but it can also be used to some benefit in Valorsant and to run a pretty dirty tactic in Overwatch 2.

SOCD on Razer and Wooting keyboards has been given the sign-off by some of the largest CS tournament organisers in the world.

The problem for anyone hoping to run some simple SOCD software and save themselves the hassle of buying a new gaming keyboard is that in most competitive shooters anyways, you'd be banned for doing so.

The developer of rhythm game Osu! suggests any sort of hardware-level key macro will get a player sent to the naughty corner.

MSI's AI gaming monitor that spots enemies for you? Widely considered cheating.

A keyboard with actuation and reset points that are dynamically set as you play? Fair game.

But then what's the point in buying the $ 150 gaming mouse versus the $20 one ? Surely it's the fact one offers a competitive edge?.