Cheat Codes: Where are they now?

While making my usual travels across the internet recently, I noticed something that is slowly dying out much like the Humpback Whale and the Bald Eagle.  It was something we always relied on as a kid to give us that extra special edge in a game. Yes I am talking about Cheat Codes. In the past we could easily press a combination of buttons, or type in a specific name at the new game screen, or play a specific order of songs via the music option to gain access to level selection, invincibility, or any other game cheats. However what has happened to these cheats and/or game edge makers now? I think there are several prime reasons for their near-extinction.

One reason could be that with the increase of games with online gaming options one could say that it gives the player the unfair edge over another player. That it would eliminate the fun behind playing a game online with someone else because they can easily access all the best power ups and the like with a simple button combination. Though in defense to that, a lot of online games prevent that with patches that deny players who cheat access to an online game match.  However at the same time, people who do play in online matches and various online games take advantage of the game glitches or flaws in the programming to gain the edge over other players. It’s not exactly a cheat code, but still it is still doing what the cheat code is intended to do; give the player the extra edge he or she needs over the game. And in an online sense, the game being the other players they are playing against.

Another reason could be linked to the reason I said before. With so many people out there becoming wise to game programming these days, people have been outright hacking a game’s programming. It’s not seen at all in console gaming but when it comes to portable games like the DS or for PC gaming, it is very common. These hacks go far beyond simple Give All Weapons and such. These hacks pretty much let you reprogram the game entirely to make it your own game. Though would this be considered cheating or an expression of one’s creativity. Is it cheating when you aren’t playing against anyone else, no it’s not. It is just simply changing the game to your own advantage. I fully support game hacking since some games out there wouldn’t be around because of game hacking. However I am getting off the topic now, we will save that topic for another day.

Back to the topic on hand of cheat codes are they a good thing or a bad thing in this day and age? With all the game achievements and trophy earning we have these days, maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. Maybe it is because it does give someone that unfair advantage to gain their trophies and flex their e-peen (Once again another topic for another day). However at the same time, maybe it gives people that extra enjoyment out of a game that they couldn’t obtain before, so I guess it’s also a good thing. My own opinion of them? I will be honest, I have used cheat codes in the past when I have played a Grand Theft Auto game. Do I feel any less of a gamer? No, I don’t at all. Was the game experience ruined for me? Not one bit. I still had the same difficulty and challenges any other player would go through when playing without cheat codes.  Though I am sure you as the reader have their own opinions of this so let me know. Until next time. Chocolate Lemon Nation…