A hot potato: Razer recently introduced a feature for some of its keyboards that virtually eliminates input lag when transitioning between opposing directions while playing games. Tests prove that the functionality enables previously impossible movements in certain titles, leading some to label it cheating.
Razer has sparked controversy in the competitive gaming community since introducing a new method for resolving simultaneous input dilemmas. Another keyboard manufacturer, Wooting, expressed concern over the feature but also adopted it to gather customer feedback.
A recent software update for Razer's Huntsman V3 Pro keyboards added a function called Snap Tap, which instantly cancels directional inputs in games upon detecting an opposite input. Demonstrations show that this enables movements in some titles that were previously impossible, particularly Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch 2.
Normally, if a player simultaneously presses the left and right movement keys, these games acknowledge neither, freezing the player in place. As such, shifting between opposite directions typically involves lag since players must release the first key before the game accepts the second.
With Snap Tap, the second key immediately overrides the first, allowing near-instantaneous side-to-side switching when strafing. The effects differ between games, but YouTuber "optimum" demonstrated how it can increase aiming speed in Counter-Strike 2 by up to 50 milliseconds – an eternity in that game – and allow unprecedented mobility in Overwatch 2. However, the way Valorant handles animations appears to nullify any advantage from Snap Tap.
Let's address a hot topic: Rappy Snappy and cheating concerns. First, let's clear up a misconception – Rappy Snappy is not the same as Snap Tap.
– wooting (@WootingKB) July 11, 2024
When developing Rappy Snappy, maintaining integrity for FPS games has been our top priority. We aim to raise the skill ceiling with our…
This feature has technically existed for some time in software form under the name "null bind," but Razer has implemented it at a hardware level. That distinction could make Snap Tap difficult for games to detect.
Some have compared Snap Tap to Wooting's recently introduced "Rappy Snappy," which significantly diminishes lag between opposing inputs by prioritizing the depression depth between keys. Wooting defended its implementation by stressing that Rappy Snappy doesn't instantly switch between opposite inputs like Razer's functionality. However, Wooting owners can now download a beta of the company's answer to Snap Tap in case it becomes the new standard.
Normal operation (top) compared to Snap Tap (bottom)
The controversy closely resembles one that emerged in the fighting game community in recent years, and established a precedent for banning Snap Tap. Pro players of games like Street Fighter and Tekken have started competing with fight sticks that use buttons instead of levers for directional input, allowing much faster transitions between directions because the player's hand no longer has to move a stick across its gate.
However, they also allow simultaneous opposing cardinal directions (SOCD) like a keyboard, which fighting games weren't designed to accommodate. For example, blocking in both directions simultaneously became possible in Marvel vs Capcom 3 before Capcom patched the game. The company subsequently banned SOCD for its 2023 Pro Tour. It's unclear if Valve or Blizzard might follow suit or adapt to the new tactic.
Does Razer's new keyboard feature give gamers an unfair advantage?
