Video Game Cheats
Video game cheats are a hotly-debated issue that can compromise fair competition and create a bad experience for honest players. This article investigates five of the most prevalent cheats, exploring their mechanics and impacts. From aimbots to wallhacks, scripting and ghosting, we’ll examine the pros and cons of each, while examining how games have evolved to combat them.
The first video game cheats began in the 1980s, when gamers with a little computer knowledge started creating self-made cheats by manipulating the 8-bit computing systems of their time to change in-game statistics—like lives, health and ammo. Changing these values was easy, but changing the wrong ones could also have unintended side effects in-game. Soon, the trend grew to include third-party cheat code lists that gamers shared amongst themselves through magazines and websites, as well as word-of-mouth. This led to the gaming guide craze of the 1990s, with titles like Nintendo Power and Tips & Tricks becoming household names.
Later, developers began adding cheat codes to their games to give players extra items and resources. This was a response to gamers complaining that games were too hard and a way to provide a fun alternative for those who couldn’t complete the game on their own. Some developers claim that they need cheats to make a game accessible and appealing to casual players and those with disabilities, which is why many games come with a built-in cheat feature.
In recent years, the popularity of third-party cheating programs (also known as hacks) has grown to an extreme level. These are usually programs that either modify the game’s executable before it starts or inject a program into the game itself to modify its behavior. Often, these programs are used to bypass the game’s security features or make it run at super-fast speeds. Whether used for fun or as a form of competitive advantage, this type of cheating is extremely damaging to the integrity and fairness of the gaming industry.
Another popular type of cheat is called botting, which involves gaining an unfair advantage through the use of automated programs that interact with the game on behalf of the player. It can be done to artificially boost a player’s ranking in online multiplayer games, farm in-game currency or even gain real-world money in games with a player-driven economy. It can be very difficult to detect and is a major cause of frustration for many honest gamers, according to an Irdeto study that found 33% of gamers say other players cheat negatively impacts their gaming experience.
Cheating is a complex topic and the effects can vary from person to person. However, the thrill of going against the norm is one of the main reasons why some gamers choose to cheat in video games, as it allows them to innovate and create strategies that they would not otherwise be able to do. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, maintaining a steadfast commitment to principles of integrity remains paramount, as developers and players fight to safeguard a balanced and immersive experience.