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- Cheat Codes have gradually died in video games, replaced by microtransactions.
- Publishers now rely on pay-to-win features, offering XP boosts and in-game currency through paid DLCs.
- Despite this, studios such as Rockstar, Bethesda, and various indie developers, have kept the tradition of cheat codes alive in the industry.
Cheat Codes were an integral part of gaming from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, opening up entirely new playstyles that most games wouldn’t normally offer.
While cheating and hacks ruin the experience in an online environment, there was just something about using codes to spawn unattainable weapons and vehicles and skip levels altogether that would make you feel invincible. However, that time is way past us.
The tradition has long died, and cheat codes have completely disappeared from gaming. Perhaps the most surprising part here is that nobody seems to care.
Why it matters: While cheat codes played an integral part in contributing to our childhood nostalgia, they have been replaced by achievements, trophies, and microtransactions.
Brief History Of Cheat Codes In Video Games
Initially, cheat codes were tools that developers used to playtest their work. They called them POKE and reverse-engineered the game to mess around with variables such as health and currency.
In the 1980s, they were properly implemented in video games for the same playtest purposes because not even developers could beat most titles themselves. The Konami code was then born, a sequence of buttons ( up, down, left, B, start, etc.) that would give a player power-ups.
The Konami code was featured in Nintendo Power magazine issues since the internet wasn’t a thing back then. Whoever had access to that magazine was granted the list of cheat codes, essentially making them the popular kid of that school or town.
Over the decade, the Konami code has been featured on multiple Nintendo and non-Nintendo games. In the 90s, the likes of Goldeneye 007 and Doom heavily featured cheat codes that gave players invincibility and more options.
The practice became mainstream in the 2000s after being featured in big IPs like GTA, with this IP having arguably the best implementation. Who wouldn’t remember words to spawn tanks, remove the wanted level, or even raise it?
Why Did Cheat Codes Die Out?
The 2010s saw a rapid decline in the use of cheat codes, especially as publishers became more greedy. The biggest reason developers don’t include them in games nowadays is the increasing use of trophies and achievements.
Since every release practically comes with trophies and achievements, developers have little use in implementing options that disable them or make these achievements effortless to obtain. This is why most tend to avoid cheat codes altogether.
Moreover, publishers have made cheat codes a pay-to-win feature. If you want extra currency or items, you have to pay for it. Take Ubisoft as an example; helix credits for Assassin’s Creed can be bought with real-life money.
In my opinion, it makes zero sense for a single-player game to feature microtransactions, whether for cosmetics or XP boosts. However, even when publishers don’t rely on microtransactions, they often lock extras behind pre-orders, early access purchases, and digital deluxe editions.
This means there’s no room to include cool gimmicks or items that would have served the function of cheat codes in the past.
Fortunately, certain games, like Bethesda RPGs and The Witcher 3, feature console commands that can alter various mechanics to enhance the experience. The other option is to use mods, which alter how a game works, though Capcom thinks this is unfair.
Certain other studios are also keeping this tradition alive. Releases like Age of Empires 4, The Sims 4, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are the perfect examples of titles that still feature cheat codes, proving that the tradition hasn’t been completely wiped out just yet.
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[News Reporter]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheer@tech4gamers.com
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