Contrary to the belief that video game playing is a solitary pursuit, it can be a surprisingly social activity.
Players battle each other on wireless Game Boy DS screens, or look over friends’ shoulders to observe exciting game play. They have heated discussions about their moves, and many have contributed to the plethora of online sites devoted to sharing game resources.
On a recent afternoon, the game of choice was Pokémon Diamond which, according to my son, is a world of adventure. It’s also a world of controversy.
To cheat, or not to cheat?
Some players insist on working their way to the end depending only on ability, skill, and perseverance.
Others share cheat codes through online guides, video tutorials, instructables, forums, and even a game card adaptor. This Action Replay loads cheats for all current and upcoming DS games.
I’m a Game Boy spectator, not a player. But, it seems to me, that there just might be something unethical about game cheats.
Doesn’t it take away from the satisfaction of conquering a game if you depend on cheats? And what kind of life lesson are kids learning from cheating their way to success?
Should kids be allowed to cheat on video games? What do you think?
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Ryan M 07.10.08 at 10:35 am
Some cheats make the game go by way to fast, but others are just funny. For example, on Pokémon Diamond and Pearl there is a cheat that lets you walk anywhere. On other games there are cheat codes that give you a giant head. One of the ways to cheat that makes the game to easy is Pokésav. Pokésav is a cheat code creator that lets you create Pokémon that are impossible to get in the game. It also lets you change how much money you have, how many items you have, and many more things. Although it is pretty funny to have a multiplayer battle with pokemon that are basically invincible.
Sandra Foyt 07.10.08 at 10:14 pm
So, Ryan, is it ok for kids to use cheats? I know it’s just a fun game, but is it as satisfying to win when you use a cheat?
Ryan M 07.11.08 at 12:40 pm
Sometimes it’s OK. A time when it would be OK would be when you are stuck and have tried over and over again but keep failing. But cheats that don’t really affect gameplay (also called easter eggs) are OK almost all of the time.
Sandra Foyt 07.11.08 at 9:18 pm
What’s an easter egg cheat?
Shaping Youth 07.12.08 at 7:54 pm
Hi Sandra, great query on the ‘cheats’ overall…I’ve always wondered about the ethics in game play on that one myself…To me it seems like one thing to be info-sharing peer to peer to collaborate and help each other and quite another to access the ‘cheats’ to unfair advantage and ’skunk’ a contender competitively…I dunno…maybe that’s nuanced.
As for the Easter Eggs…the generic term for a hidden surprise embedded inside gaming platforms (and sometimes films) can be anything from an unexpected image, ‘insider’ reference/wink and nod to a prior show, a clue, a bonus feature…etc. and my biggest concern is they’re starting to embed ADS in them too. ugh.
As for special powers that make someone invisible or whatever, I’ve seen kids stumbled upon them and then share peer to peer when folks want to find out ‘how’d you do that’? (often asked about via chat in virtual worlds, etc…so it kind of goes to social power/gamer status
I think you’ve asked some solid ‘hmnnn’ questions here, though, particularly on the ’satisfaction’ front…and I’d love to hear more from the youth teams.
A great gaming site to deconstruct all of the insider jargon is kotaku.com…Maybe we should hunt around there, as I’m curious from an e-learning standpoint too…Let me know what you find out? –Amy
Shaping Youth 07.12.08 at 7:55 pm
p.s. And Ryan’s right, Easter Eggs are great fun for all…kids (and adults!) love to find ‘em!
Sandra Foyt 07.12.08 at 9:12 pm
Thanks for the Kotaku link!
I’m picking up all kinds of lingo: “shovelware” will soon replace garbage in my arsenal.
And yes, I’m planning to follow up on the gaming ethics issue. I’m on the road this weekend, but I have a stack of books on game-learning at home. However, I think most of what I’ve seen has focused on countering concerns about gaming addiction or aggression while extolling the virtues of e-learning.
I haven’t seen much discussing Game Ethics; although, I did read this article to my son & friend:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-kidssafe2-2008jul02,0,1861652.story
This led to a good discussion, but we’re still mulling the issues.
Also, we watched The Karate Kid. My son affirms that game cheats - even Pokesav - is not in the same league as those bullies. He’s right, but we’re still talking.
josh laplace 07.13.08 at 3:49 pm
Hey Sandra, what kind of a question is that to a teenager that loves video games? Of course kids should be able to cheat on video games because we get stuck on parts of the games. Then we get frustrated and start to not like the game and think it was a waste of money if u cant do anything on the game. So yea, cheats should be allowed especially for Alex since he always asks me for help on all of his Pokemon games!
That is my answer to your question.
Sandra Foyt 07.13.08 at 9:56 pm
Well, there you have it. The kids have spoken, and they agree that cheats are OK sometimes.
I guess using cheats as a kind of crutch is not the same as cheating against yourself or an opponent. Then, the kids agree that it’s no fun to play against an unfair opponent.
Shaping Youth 07.15.08 at 7:30 pm
Hi gang, I’m in the YPulse conference in S.F. live right now, and the youth panel is specifically addressing this, as one of the ‘teen superstars’ runs a ‘cheat site’ called: http://www.neopetsfanatic.com/
They’re emphatic that the name is a misnomer…and that cheats are more about ‘tips’ or ‘guides or hints’ rather than ‘cheat’ as in copybots in SL or stealing IP or taking the fun out of a game…
—Amy
Guitar Hero Cheats 07.21.08 at 3:20 pm
When most non-game players (i.e. parents) hear the word “cheat” they assume there is some ethical issue at stake. In fact many video games cannot be fully enjoyed with employing secret codes to enhance game play. These go by the unfortunate name of cheats which is not entirely appropriate. 95% of the cheats are designed in by game developers as sort of a extra hidden surprise that encourages players to talk to each other about game strategies and tips. Can these really be called unethical cheats?