When I started out playing Quake 1 many moons ago, when I complained about how to reach keybindings as I was using the arrow keys, a veteran player on the server told me patiently to use ESDF like a normal person. So I did, and learned, and it stuck with me. It wasn't until years later I realized that was more a rarity and people usually use WASD. I kept ESDF because I was used to it, and because it's nice have those two extra left keys as additional bindings.
All that's to say, if they'd used ESDF this wouldn't be an issue. You've been vindicated, kind hero.
Given the amount of controls that modern games have, I'd propose RDFG for movements instead, so we have all the new QWEAS on the left-hand side for even more keys available, together with TYHJ on the right side. Shortcuts galore :)
All that's to say, if they'd used ESDF this wouldn't be an issue. You've been vindicated, kind hero.