Designing Interactive Characters Syllabus - The Multiplayer Classroom: Designing Coursework as a Game - page 142

Cheating Versus Hacks
Many in the gamer generation have grown up believing cheats are a legitimate
part of playing games. There is a subtle distinction to be made here. Most would
never condone someone overtly cheating by using a hack in a game for an
advantage over other players, any more than they would condone cheating at
football or poker by breaking the rules.

Hack

Hackhas a number of definitions, not all of them negative. As Wikipedia states, it may refer to “ a

clever or quick fix to a computer program problem. a modification of a

program or device to give the user access to features that were otherwise unavailable,

� But it may also refer to “

� and that, in

turn, would give the player an unfair advantage over opponents.

The rule sets in video games are not often as clear as they are in chess. In fact,
designers hide some rules deliberately to provide a more satisfyingly competitive
experience.

The gamer generation has come to believe that some cheats are benign, if they
give them an advantage in getting past particularly difficult challenges. These
cheats may take the form of hints, walkthroughs, or hacks. They

are so common in video game culture that developers routinely build them into
games, and game websites and magazines feature them, usually explicitly calling
them cheats .

“ Easter eggs, �

Easter Egg

An Easter egg is a hidden feature of a game. These may be as simple as a text message, or as
elaborate as entire levels unlocked by a secret keystrokes.

Cheats, unlocked by cheat codes, entered via controller or keyboard, are benign
because not everyone is a hard-core gamer with the l33t skills necessary to
complete the game. Some players want to see the next step in a game story, and
to avoid frustration, use cheats or a walkthrough to help them get past obstacles
in order to continue the story.