For gamers who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, sequences of nonsensical characters like idkfa, torg, ABACABB, and UUDDLRLRBA serve as nostalgic reminders of a time when cheat codes were frequently incorporated into games by developers. These codes allowed players to alter their gaming experiences by unlocking features such as infinite health, instant access to levels, and even full debug menus. There were also external devices available that let players exploit these cheats in ways that developers never envisioned.
Although the golden age of cheat codes has diminished, the principle of giving players the power to adjust their gameplay experience is making a resurgence among some developers. Recently, Square Enix announced new features for the upcoming ports of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade for the Switch 2 and Xbox. The “streamlined progression” features aim to enhance the gameplay by allowing players access to options like infinite health, magic, and resources, as well as accelerated leveling and maximum damage capabilities.
This announcement has sparked a mixed reaction. Some critics derided the feature as a “cheat mode,” but director Naoki Hamaguchi defended the new options. In a discussion with Automaton, he emphasized the importance of providing players flexibility in their gaming experiences. “Personally, I like to try many different games just to keep myself up to date, but I don’t really have the time, so I only get so far,” he stated. “I personally believe that, with digital entertainment today, the player should have the choice in how they interact with content. That’s why I pushed for it.”
There is a compelling argument for empowering players to choose how they progress through games. However, there is also merit to concealing these alternate gameplay options behind traditional cheat codes to maintain an element of mystery and engagement.
Developer intent
Final Fantasy VII Remake is not the first contemporary game to introduce options aimed at facilitating smoother progression. Similar features can be found in titles like Mass Effect 3 with its Narrative Mode, Nier Automata’s Auto Mode, Assassin’s Creed Origins’ Discovery Mode, and the Very Easy Mode in Death Stranding. Even in a precision platformer like Celeste, there are multiple accessibility options that allow players to fine-tune their experience.
In these instances, there is an understanding that some players wish to immerse themselves in the narrative and artistic aspects of a game without facing exhausting challenges. Many players who enjoy the built-in difficulty might still aim to treat the game like a sandbox in subsequent playthroughs or prefer to quickly revisit their favorite segments after extended breaks.
As noted by Penny Arcade back in 2005: “I play games to enter a trance state and experience other lives, [others] play them to defeat the designer of the game by proxy. That’s a significant distinction.”
However, implementing built-in alterations to difficulty can contradict the fundamental principles of certain games. For instance, in Baby Steps, struggling with controls and facing setbacks is a core element of the experience. An option to cruise through the game effortlessly would fundamentally alter what the developers aimed to convey.
Hamaguchi himself acknowledged the potential backlash regarding addition of “streamlined progression” options in the upcoming third installment of the remake series, citing concerns over disrupting the experience for dedicated fans who have invested years in the story. “If we were to add it to the third installment at launch, it would probably spark controversy,” he explained.
This scenario illustrates where old-school cheat codes can provide a solution. While straightforward “easy mode” selections may dilute the essence of a game’s design, hidden cheat codes maintain a distinction as optional features intended for exploration and fun.
Making “easy mode” harder to find
The key difference lies in the context of these options. Historically, players discovered cheat codes from outside sources—be it online forums, magazines, or peer-to-peer discussions—giving them a sense of enchantment and detachment from the core game experience. The terminology of “cheat codes” inherently conveys a sense of bending the rules of the game.
Conversely, an always-visible “god mode” toggle or “accessibility” menu contextualizes these options as legitimate pathways for players to enjoy the same game differently. This is beneficial in many contexts, as Hamaguchi noted—for players who are primarily interested in the story, these shortcuts can enhance their engagement. However, in games where difficulty is integral to the experience, upfront access to these options may compromise the intended player journey.
Selecting an “easy mode” through a menu resembles flipping a conveniently placed light switch while tracking down a cheat code feels akin to asking for assistance at a hardware store for a custom installation. The ultimate impact is similar, but the journey to reach that outcome is markedly different.
In modern gaming, mods often recreate this contextual distinction. For example, a fan-made mod for Baby Steps allows players to fly and save at will, undermining the game’s original design. However, those who take the time to install and use a mod accept full responsibility for altering the experience.
Cheat codes also give developers creative options for how and when to introduce new gameplay features. In the game UFO 50, for instance, players can unlock various Terminal Codes by completing a subgame and viewing the credits. Moreover, developers can keep certain cheat codes hidden for months or even years, ensuring that early players experience the game as designed.
Reviving the culture of hidden cheat codes may seem outdated in an era where digital sleuthing has become commonplace. Nonetheless, reintroducing this gameplay mechanic could provide enjoyable and beneficial options for those who seek them while upholding the integrity of developers’ visions for their games.