Patch 13.0.5 has released for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate but fans aren't particularly happy about it... - EventHubs
Specifically, it seems directed at the usage of the Delay Mod (also known as the input latency mod or lagless mod). Some even began to threaten to tell Nintendo about the Delay Mod. Regardless, it would seem that the Delay Mod has become unusable online due to patch 13.0.5.
It's been nearly eight years since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was released on December 7, 2018. The game initially launched with a roster made up of 74 characters with 12 more released as DLC leading up to the release of Sora from Kingdom Hearts on October 18, 2021.
Shortly afterwards on December 1, 2021, patch 13.0.1 was released, which was said to include the final set of fighter adjustments for the game. Although the developers wouldn't be applying balance tweaks to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate anymore, they promised that they would release more patches as necessary to fix any major bugs or issues that surfaced.
Indeed, we'd eventually see patch 13.0.2, patch 13.0.3 and patch 13.0.4, which enabled Sora amiibo compatibility, addressed players not properly receiving Global Smash Power whenever someone quit out early and fixed compatibility issues with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch 2 in specific circumstances in which the Mii characters were used online against those playing on the Switch.
Earlier today, patch 13.0.5 was released for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. A single patch note was listed for this update.
• Fixed behavior that occurs when invalid data is sent or received in online battles.
While this adjustments note is lacking in terms of details, players believe that they've translated what this change actually aims to do. Specifically, it seems directed at the usage of the Delay Mod (also known as the input latency mod or lagless mod).
Essentially, what the Delay Mod did was remove the intentional input latency (around four frames at minimum) that was applied when playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate online. This was intended to improve the online experience for those that used.
What's interesting about the Delay Mod is that players were capable of applying its benefits even when playing against those that didn't modify their Switch to use it. Needless to say, those using the Delay Mod had advantages over those that didn't.
As such, various Japanese players expressed frustration over the usage of the Delay Mod since it was considered to be significantly higher risk to use mods in the region due to Japanese laws regarding unauthorized modding. Some even began to threaten to tell Nintendo about the Delay Mod.
The situation escalated when Bluejay, the creator of the Delay Mod, was doxed. This resulted in Bluejay coming to the decision of discontinuing development of the mod altogether.
Despite this, many players continued to make usage of the Delay Mod, even when playing in Quickplay or Elite Smash. It's believed that Japanese players escalated their complaints directly to Nintendo as a result.
Regardless, it would seem that the Delay Mod has become unusable online due to patch 13.0.5.