Cheating in video games

Cheating in video games involves a video game player using non-standard methods to create an advantage or disadvantage beyond normal gameplay, in order to make the game easier or harder. Cheats may be activated from within the game itself (a cheat code implemented by the original game developers), or created by third-party software (a game trainer) or hardware (a cheat cartridge). They can also be realised by exploiting software bugs, but if it is really cheating is also matter of common knowledge. Software bugs are very often considered software features and as long as they are common knowledge, it is questionable whether it is cheating.

History

Cheating in video games has existed for almost their entire history. The first cheat codes were put in place for play testing purposes. Playtesters had to rigorously test the mechanics of a game and introduced cheat codes to make this process easier. An early cheat code can be found in Manic Miner, where typing "6031769" (based on Matthew Smith's driving licence) enables the cheat mode. An early trainer for a game was for Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (1981); within months of its release at least two commercial products appeared. 1983 advertisements for "The Great Escape Utility", a similar product for Castle Wolfenstein (1981), promised that the $15 product "remodels every feature of the game. Stop startup delays, crashes and chest waiting. Get any item, in any quantity. Start in any room, at any rank. Handicap your aim. Even add items".