The latest PlayStation 5 update appears to have blocked the use of a "controller emulator" called Cronus Zen.

First spotted by CharlieIntel (via The Verge), Cronus posted a notice on its website confirming that Zen can no longer connect to the PlayStation 5 since the 24.01-08.60.00 update. The company suggests that the update is not mandatory and that players should simply skip the update and the device should continue to work fine

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However, the update notes do not mention that new anti-cheat measures will be implemented on the gaming devices. This suggests that either the disabling of the device was a (no doubt happy) accident, or that Sony did not want to mention the cheat device and simply found a way to quietly disconnect it.

And before you think this is just about console gaming, it is worth noting that Zen also works on PCs, although not officially supported, and the company even provides a setup guide to help PC users set it up correctly.

While there are some legitimate uses for the device, such as allowing unsupported controllers and any mouse and keyboard to connect to the console, the most controversial is its ability to "amplify the game" via a scripting engine. Zen allows you to reduce the recoil of gunfire and and aiming assist feature in the mouse and keyboard setup, as well as other settings that can be used to give players an advantage in the game, something that has caused some backlash.

A search on YouTube reveals numerous videos discussing the device, ranging from tips on how to use it to angry rants of "It's not cricket, you old bastard."

Developers of shooters like "Destiny 2" and "Call of Duty: Warzone 2" have already taken steps to disable and detect third-party hardware devices like Zen that could be used to gain unfair advantage.

Regardless of the legitimate uses of the product, it is hard to sympathize with gamers who used the device to top the leaderboards and have been denied that pleasure by the new update.

Come back here again and enjoy multiplayer gaming with us. The sea is warm and the misery is endless.