Blog 3: Blogs in Space

Ok, so my last blog entry wasn't entirely on topic, but in my defense I didn't bother to write down "RISK" as a reminder for what the entry was supposed to be about. I took more thorough notes this time, and if they are accurate [really kind of a 50/50 chance that they are] then I'm supposed to write about cheating in board games vs. cheating in virtual games, and if cheating works in an uncontrolled virtual environment. If that's not accurate then email your complaints to suckit@idontcare.com.

Cheating in a board game can be easier than cheating in a virtual game in some aspects, but harder in others. For example: holding extra cards in Munchkin vs. playing Halo with "god mode" activated [does Halo even have any kind of "god mode"? I don't own a 360 so I haven't played the last two Halo games very much.]

Cheating in Munchkin requires you to a stealthy hand and a good poker face, whereas cheating in Halo requires some kind of code [usually a pattern of button presses -- X Y X Y Left Up Rt Lt, etc.]. So if you do not know the code, or are just lousy at remembering button patters, Munckin would be an easier game in which to cheat. If, however, you do NOT have a good poker face and are as subtle as a shopping cart with one bad wheel, button combination in Halo would be more your thing.

If an environment is uncontrolled, like WoW, cheating "works" in the sense that it's possible to do, but requires a certain level technical prowess. Having only played WoW for the 2-week trial period about two years ago, I have not pursued any mods or whathaveyou that allow me to be invincible or let me start out with the golden gun and therefore have no idea how hard it is to get those cheats. But I'm sure it is possible and I'm sure it cheapens the experience for everyone playing with [or against] him.

You could also cheat by purchasing a high-level character, tho whether or not that's considered "cheating" is debatable. Some would argue that it's not cheating because somebody legitimately earned that character, regardless of the fact that it wasn't the person who now owns it.

Cheating in general I am opposed to, unless it's one of those victimless crimes [you're not playing against other people, or in competition with other people]. Doing so really cheapens the experience because it is often impossible for the non-cheating player to beat the cheater. It'd be like a child playing a game of Scrabble with an adult [who can spell, and takes no pity on children].
Or me playing any kind of sport against, well, anyone.

One game that I always cheat in, and never intend to stop doing so, is GTA [only when free-roaming, not the missions]. There's NOTHING more fun then just speeding thru the city, running over people, causing major pile-ups, blowing up vehicles with an insane arsenal, and jumping out of helicopters with absolutely no repercussions [that is, not losing your money or weapons].