Cheating, cheaters, and our community

Over the course of the last few weeks, since the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the subject of cheating in video games has once again become a significant topic of discussion. This is not a new subject, as many of us know. Cheating amongst video gamers has been around nearly as long as there have been video games. As a result, it is a subject that seems to bubble up every so often.

It is not an uncommon aspect of our competitive natures to find whatever edge we can in an attempt to place ourselves amongst the best. While I feel that the majority of gamers, like ourselves, prefer to take a course that does not involve the use of exploits or glitches in order to fulfill this desire, that cannot be said of all of us (even within this community). We must acknowledge that there are those who will use those exploits and glitches to gain that edge. How we choose to deal with this knowledge is what truly defines us as both individual gamers and a gaming community.

As an individual, I choose not to use such means to gain an edge. Of course I also don’t attempt to compete with anyone but myself when it comes to my ability to succeed in a video game. That’s just me, and that is how I choose to play.

As a member of this community, I try to do my part to represent 2old2play as honorably as I can when playing against/with gamers inside and outside of this community. I try to be respectful and considerate of others. I am not above using sarcasm and even biting remarks. It is always done, however, with humorous intent, not frustration and/or anger.

I say all this to give you, the reader, a foundation upon which to achieve a greater understanding of what I have to say on the subject of cheating, those who choose to cheat, and how I deal with it.

By what criteria do we define cheating and thus label someone a cheater? Each of us has, I am fairly sure, their own set of criteria by which to determine these things. I choose to define cheating as any attempt to usurp and/or bypass the intended use of the game, which is contrary to the intent of the programmers and the spirit of the game. A cheater is therefore, one who engages in such activities. This is not about passing judgment on those who do engage in such behavior. Just providing my definition. I firmly believe that each of us should only be held accountable to our own sense of values and not the values of others save where those values impinge upon those of others.

I realize that this sentiment is not a widely accepted one, and that even those who purport to feel similarly may not be consistent in its execution. To each there own. I really enjoy being a part of this community. I know that I have something in common with every member of this community and that’s comforting. I also know that I will not see eye to eye with everyone on many things simply due to the size and diversity of this community. Even that is comforting. It is my hope, however, that we can use our common interest to find a way to co-exist civilly. We don’t have to all like each other (that seems an unreasonable expectation) but we also don’t need to “attack” someone just because they engage in behavior that we disagree with. So long as they aren’t violating the TOS or representing this community in a way contrary to the spirit upon which it was founded.

All that being said, I feel that cheating, as I have defined it, is something worth discouraging among our community members. I don’t, however, believe that it necessarily warrants the reaction expressed in the thread (http://www.2old2play.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=60396) which inspired me to write this post in the first place. As I do not knowingly cheat, I try to avoid playing with people who do. Yes, I will label a person a cheater according to how I define it. I do so because I understand that we are often judged by the company we keep. In the case of playing online, we sometimes don’t get to choose that company. Being a part of 2old2play allows me to build a circle of gamers that approach gaming with an attitude similar to mine and avoid those who do not. In other words, I get to choose the company by which I am judged. For that, and many other things, I am most grateful.