ALGS officials ban controller, sparking debate on competitive integrity 

Apex Legends esports faced immediate controversy just before its biggest event of the season. Team Falcons star Phillip “ImperialHal” Dosen revealed that his primary controller has been banned ahead of the ALGS Year 5 Championship, a decision made only one day before the tournament begins in Japan. The ruling drew frustration from the player, who publicly questioned the timing with $2 million in prize money on the line. 

ImperialHal confirmed the device was a ZD Gaming controller, with organisers reportedly concerned about its wireless functionality and software features. The controller can be adjusted through a mobile app and contains macro-related functions that cannot be fully disabled, raising competitive integrity concerns for ALGS officials. However, Hal argued that similar controllers have been permitted at other major events, including the Esports World Cup, and that the same device had previously been allowed in ALGS competition. 

The sudden ban leaves little room for adjustment. Adapting to new hardware at the highest level of play is a serious challenge, especially days before a world championship. As of now, neither EA nor Respawn Entertainment have issued an official public statement explaining the decision. 

The ALGS Year 5 Championship runs from January 15 to 18 in Sapporo, featuring 40 of the best teams worldwide. Beyond the controller dispute, the event will showcase map pool updates, Twitch Drops rewards, and a high-profile opening ceremony, closing out another landmark season for Apex Legends esports.