The only time I cheat in video games

In life, we were generally taught to act honorably and honestly – don’t take advantage of others, don’t lie, don’t cheat. And it’s a good credo. To live an integrous life is something we should all strive for. However, I believe if there’s one area, one endeavor, where cheating should be accepted – maybe even celebrated – it should be in video games.

But before you hurl tomatoes my way, let me clarify that when you’re playing with other people – in multiplayer, MMOs (massively multiplayer online games), or even the casual mobile games like Words With Friends – under no circumstances should you employ devious devices, scripts, or any method that would give you an unfair advantage. That just ruins the game for everyone. It’s wrong. It’s lazy. It’s lame, bro.

But for single-player games? I say go for it. Instead of being detrimental to the game, cheating can actually enhance the play experience.

I’d gladly employ a cheat for unlimited carrying capacity than worry about encumbrance rules like how many swords and potion ingredients I’m carrying while I’m hunting monsters as Geralt of Rivia. I’m already in a fantastical world where I’m supposed to believe mutant Witchers destroy elder vampires and mighty archgriffins. It takes just a teeny, tiny, microscopic push to further suspend my disbelief about what Geralt can and cannot stuff in his magic bag.

“But the fun is when you beat the game in all its difficulty!” you might say, and you’re right… for the most part. Finally figuring out the tricky puzzle, seeing your flag still standing after the enemy horde throws itself at your walls, ultimately defeating that unbeatable boss, these are moments that make gaming so enjoyable. I’m not saying you should cheat all the time, I’m just saying you should have the option to do so when your need arises. Because there are many reasons why cheating is good for you.

Cheating can enhance certain aspects of a game. I can’t count how many teenage days I spent typing ‘rosebud’ and designing my house in The Sims. I would get all the nice stuff, all the maxed-out furniture, and just design some weird homes, thanks to all that sweet cheat money. I quickly get bored playing the simulated life portion of the game, but designing was something I’d do again and again and again.

Sometimes you want to try something crazy and cheats would let you do that. I’ve tried winning with only one city in Civilization by supercharging Research and Social Policies. While my enemies expand and cover the whole map, my lone city stood strong. I’ve led the Papal State (supposedly a non-playable faction, at least before you win the campaign) in Total War: Medieval 2 just because I wanted to see how the AI would respond to a world-conquering, war-hungry pope. When I’m bored in GTA V, codes help me wreak more havoc and do crazy stunts in Los Santos. Cheating lets you play in unconventional yet enjoyable ways.

If you’re stuck or need a little bit of help, cheating can help you get past difficult portions and let you finish the game. Given my turtle-defense playstyle, there was a particularly difficult stage in Starcraft 1 that I wouldn’t have been able to surmount if I didn’t employ cheats. I would have missed the betrayal of Kerrigan – one of the most iconic scenes in video game history – if I didn’t get past that stage.

Since there was no save function in the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) days, I probably wouldn’t have saved the Princess in Super Mario if I didn’t exploit the ‘Hundred Lives’ bug (feature?). I likely wouldn’t have been able to stop the aliens in Contra from subjugating the world if I didn’t know Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A. The right cheat empowered me to finish the game without giving me a free pass. I still needed the skill to finish the game – cheating just gave me more chances to do so.

Finally, cheating can be essential simply because you don’t have the time. I’m a grown man with a family and responsibilities. Sometimes I just want to finish the story and skip the boring stuff. I don’t have the time to wait four (in-game) years to build every single building in the hundreds of baronies in my Crusader Kings empire. I don’t have the patience to search every single cave to find enough of that special ore that would let me craft the kick-ass sword. It would be ridiculous to spend what little game time I can slice out of my day grinding. I want that super sword now and go to town on the Big Bad Boss with it. But when time is abundant, I have no problems letting go of the cheat codes and just “git gud” with the game.

It’s your game, and therefore, it should be your rules too. As long as you’re not harming anyone, you’re not ruining anyone’s day. Go big. Go nuts. Do whatever you want.

It is, after all, just a game.