Players who attended EVO 2023 are reporting that their controllers suffer damage due to overused USB ports on PS5 consoles.
According to TechRadar, the event featured the prominent game "Street Fighter 6," attracting a substantial registration of over 7,000 players.
However, it has come to light that the continuous plugging and unplugging of PS5 controllers throughout the weekend may have overwhelmed the consoles' USB ports.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 07: "Slash" competes against "UMISHO" during the Guilty Gear Strive finals at EVO 2022 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on August 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
EVO 2023 Attendees Voice Out Their Frustration
Numerous attendees have taken to social media, specifically Twitter, to express their frustration and share their experiences.
Some players have encountered instances where parts of their controllers' USB ports have become lodged, and owners of high-quality fight sticks have observed components being torn from their PS5 devices. There also have been accounts of connectors melting within the consoles due to excessive heat.
Given the magnitude of the event and the widespread use of PS5 consoles, concerns over the durability of the USB ports have raised questions about the event's organization and the preparedness of the consoles to handle such intense usage.
The issues have ignited discussions among players regarding potential solutions. Some have proposed that future editions of EVO could consider adopting PC or Xbox Series X|S as the platform of choice to avert similar problems.
However, this idea faces challenges, as Sony, which owns the event, would likely have the final say. While the overheating of USB ports in PS5 consoles might seem like a rare occurrence, it's worth noting that these consoles can generate substantial heat during extended periods of use.
The inherent ventilation of PS5s does not necessarily guarantee immunity from the effects of continuous operation. Additionally, the sheer number of participants at EVO 2023 could have contributed to an environment that exacerbated the heat issue.
Prevailing Theory
A prevailing theory is that the USB ports' deterioration stemmed from their extensive usage, with many top fighting games at EVO 2023 relying on PS5 consoles, like "Street Fighter 6" and "Guilty Gear Strive." The fact that wired gameplay is preferred for minimized input delay added to the strain.
Thousands of players cycling through a limited number of consoles, repeatedly connecting and disconnecting controllers, likely contributed to the reported damage. The situation has led some to call for improved planning and preventative measures for future events.
Suggestions include: providing a larger quantity of consoles to distribute the usage load, enhancing consoles with reinforced USB ports to withstand more intense usage, or implementing enhanced cooling mechanisms to manage temperature levels.
As players raise their concerns and share their experiences, the spotlight is on EVO's organizers and Sony to find effective solutions to prevent such issues in the future. The collective aim is to ensure that participants can engage in the competition without experiencing equipment-related setbacks.
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