Cheat Cards and Todays Gamer

Okay well, no doubt this is another topic covered a few times before by various people and websites, but still i feel the need to have my say all the same.

Out there today theres magazines dedicated to the subject, various mods, cheat cds, action replay updates specifically for big game releases, for example Vice City, GT3 and so forth.

It goes quite a way further to. But the point is, why does it?

I remember only a few years back when it was rare people had these things, i myself did have a game genie or two, but thats about it. I cheat and i know i do, but why has demand skyrocketed so much lately?

Magazines feature cheats, walkthroughs and 'tips' as soon as a game is released. And i just dont see why this is needed. Arent games supposed to be fun, a form of entertainment, a way to escape reality?

If thats the case why do as soon as we get a game do we need to hack it to hell to take all the challenge, mystery and wonder away from games. Because thats what cheats often do, especially if you gain and activate them pretty much just after purchase.

Now before you go searching for the 'contact us' section and preparing to flame me, just hear me out. I'm not saying all cheats are bad, or all cheaters are bad, i myself use a few from time to time, but i'm getting to that..

It all reminds me of a quote i heard a few months back 'I dont see why people do it, spend £40 on a game then spend £40 on a device that means you dont have to play it anymore'

And it literally is that bad, and stupid. As i said, games are supposed to be for entertainment purposes, you're supposed to play them for hours and the challenge is supposed to be the appeal of the game. They're designed to be difficult not just a straight run through , otherwise you get bored of them quickly , and if thats true, then really, why do you play games?

They're fun and challenging, and generally rewarding when you get to the end. If you activate a lot of cheats, the game seems less fun after the first initial thrill, not at all challenging, and it always seems like your playing to finish not playing for the sheer fun of gaming. Which if thats the case, maybe you have the wrong game..

Personally i have no real objections to cheating as such, the game genie on the NES was one of my favourite accessories. Especially now since it helps my games play..But it was difficult to get hold of codes, and you generally had got all the fun of a game before you had the cheats, then it added a good laugh to them. And some cheats still do, which is good. But my point is , whyd they need to come out so soon, let people give the games a try, get as far as they can, then give them the all levels, invincibility and so forth.

I mean a few months ago ( yes , very late ) i found out about the Super Sonic cheats for the first few Sonic games, and i played these to death when i was little, truly getting my moneys worth, and now i get that extra bit of fun on top of the nostalga from this. Which is how i think cheats should be used for the majority.

You cannot stop cheats, and i wouldnt want to either. GameFaqs is a decent website and a useful resource. I often use cheats when i need to make that final training push on Final Fantasys, when the stories all sorted and all you have is those endless battles for the end confrontation. They have their uses.

I just dont like when they're over used. I admit this probably isnt the best piece i've written , or the best arguement i've put together. But cheats are going a bit far, with developers deliberately including dozens and dozens within the game, rather than amusing quirks found by people hacking the game, like the old game genie did, adding in a little change and doing a little thing here or there.

I guess thats all i really have to say on the subject. I suppose if i had my way, like i said, cheats and walkthrough guides in magazines would only appear for games that've been out for an issue or two, and there would be no need for special cheat magazines...Official walkthroughs will always be there, an extra source for money through the game, but again, i would want to see these appear a little while after the games release, seeing companys encouraging people not to just follow the instructions and enjoy and EXPERIENCE what the game has to offer, and again playing for fun, not just to finish and move on.