Is Cheating/Hacking in Video Games a Sin?

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Pieman333272

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Are using things like Action Replays in video games a sin? If not, then what about when the company specifically condemns the usage of this technology?
 
I doubt it.

I still doubt it.

but then again I don’t need cheats to pwn n00bz.
 
I believe this comes in varying degrees. Oftentimes, “cheat codes” are programmed into the games themselves, and the publishers intentionally leak them to reviewers so that the gaming public knows about them. This type of cheat code typically only affects single-player mode and doesn’t produce an imbalance in multi-player competitions. In other words, it’s how the game is intended to be played, and it isn’t hurting others when you activate it. No sin there. On the other hand, third-party applications can gain you certain advantages in multi-player mode. Often it is an “arms race” between the cheaters and the developers as the cheats must be in stealth mode and the game software attempts to detect whether they are running and disable them, or ban the user. It seems that kind of usage would be sinful. Many cheats violate End-User License Agreements, other software contracts, or copyright laws. It is not necessarily sin to violate a civil contract, but you have to use common sense. Violating a just law is a sin. Gaining an advantage over other players seems to me a sin.

And what does it gain you? An electronic trophy, a high score? A bunch of pixels that have no spiritual value. You have to ask yourself whether it is worth it to cheat or if you would be better off not playing at all.
 
Pieman333272 said:
Are using things like Action Replays in video games a sin? If not, then what about when the company specifically condemns the usage of this technology?
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I guess if its a one player game then its not. But if its a multi-player, then yes it is. It frustrates your opponents who then would sin (by cursing, etc.) and you’re also deliberately offending other people. But if its a one player game and you’re not hurting anyone, then no.
 
Elizium23 said:
I believe this comes in varying degrees. Oftentimes, “cheat codes” are programmed into the games themselves, and the publishers intentionally leak them to reviewers so that the gaming public knows about them. This type of cheat code typically only affects single-player mode and doesn’t produce an imbalance in multi-player competitions. In other words, it’s how the game is intended to be played, and it isn’t hurting others when you activate it. No sin there. On the other hand, third-party applications can gain you certain advantages in multi-player mode. Often it is an “arms race” between the cheaters and the developers as the cheats must be in stealth mode and the game software attempts to detect whether they are running and disable them, or ban the user. It seems that kind of usage would be sinful. Many cheats violate End-User License Agreements, other software contracts, or copyright laws. It is not necessarily sin to violate a civil contract, but you have to use common sense. Violating a just law is a sin. Gaining an advantage over other players seems to me a sin.

And what does it gain you? An electronic trophy, a high score? A bunch of pixels that have no spiritual value. You have to ask yourself whether it is worth it to cheat or if you would be better off not playing at all.
Click to expand...
On Nintendo consoles all it does is violate the warranty, and stop you from connecting online in only a handful of games. Certainly that isn’t a sin by breaking the law. Good answer.
 
I would treat video games the same as sports, board games, or card games. Cheating in a one player game - fine. Is cheating at manual Solitaire (with a physical deck of cards) a sin? Of course not!. Now, cheating in a multiplayer game with no significant economic effect would be the same as cheating in neighborhood pickup basketball - socially wrong, but no big deal. Cheating in a competition where there is a prize with actual economic value - sin. So, obtaining virtual game currency (of the type that can be exchanged for real life currency) by cheating is arguably morally equivalent to cheating in professional competitive sports where there are real-life benefits for winning such as cash rewards or precious metal trophies.
 
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