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How Online Video Games Are Hacked And Why These Methods Are Unethical

Here are different types of hacking methods in video games.

By Inspiring YouTuber and GamerPublished 12 months ago 8 min read
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Photo by Nubelson Fernandes on Unsplash

In a previous post, I spoke about the most annoying types of gamers. In this post, I will discuss cheaters who use unethical methods to win competitive online games.

Hacking in the context of online gaming refers to using unauthorized methods to gain an unfair advantage over other players.

This can include using software tools, known as hacks or cheats, to manipulate the game’s mechanics and gain advantages such as increased speed, aimbots, wallhacks, and other abilities that are not normally available to the player.

Hackers often use various techniques to gain access to the game’s code, servers, or other components to modify or alter the game in their favor. This can include reverse engineering, packet sniffing, or exploiting vulnerabilities in the game’s security systems.

Hacking is considered a violation of the game’s terms of service and can result in severe consequences, such as permanent bans from the game or legal action taken by the game’s developers.

In addition to ruining the experience for other players, hacking can also create an unfair advantage for the hacker, which goes against the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship in online gaming.

Here are a few examples of the different types of hacks that some players use in online video games.

Aimbots

Aimbots are among the most popular hacks used in competitive online gaming. An aimbot is a software tool that automatically adjusts the aim of a player’s weapon to target other players without the player having to aim manually.

This tool can provide a significant advantage to the player, ensuring accurate and quick shooting, making it easier to take down other players and win matches.

The aimbot works by scanning the game environment for targets, and it tracks the enemy player’s movement, allowing the hacker to shoot accurately, even if they are not skilled at the game. This is particularly advantageous in games where accuracy is critical, such as first-person shooters.

However, the use of aimbots is highly controversial as it undermines the core principles of fair play and sportsmanship in online gaming.

Players who use aimbots are often accused of cheating and are disliked by other players. They also ruin the game experience for others, particularly those who take the game seriously and work hard to improve their skills.

Game developers and anti-cheat software providers use various techniques to detect and prevent the use of aimbots in their games.

This includes pattern recognition, heuristics, and behavioral analysis, among other things. They also update their software regularly to stay ahead of new hacks and to prevent players from exploiting vulnerabilities in the game’s security systems.

Wall Hacks

Wall hacks are a type of cheat used in video games that give players an unfair advantage by allowing them to see through walls or other objects that are normally opaque.

In the context of online multiplayer games like first-person shooters, wall hacks are a particularly egregious form of cheating, as they allow players to easily locate and kill opponents who are unaware of their presence.

Wall hacks can be implemented in various ways, but they typically involve modifying the game’s graphics engine to display information normally hidden from the player.

Some wall hacks work by exploiting vulnerabilities in the game’s code, while others are external programs that run alongside the game and intercept data being sent between the game and the server.

While wall hacks can be difficult to detect and prevent, many game developers have implemented anti-cheat measures to identify and ban players who use them. These measures can range from automated detection algorithms to manual reviews of gameplay footage and user reports.

In addition to being a violation of the game’s terms of service, using wall hacks can also be illegal in some jurisdictions. In 2020, a man in Japan was arrested for allegedly selling a wallhack for the game Valorant, which violated the country’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act.

Speed Hacks

peed hacks are a type of cheat used in video games that give players an unfair advantage by allowing them to move faster than they normally would.

In the context of online multiplayer games, speed hacks are particularly problematic, as they allow players to quickly traverse the map, escape danger, or engage enemies before they have a chance to react.

Speed hacks can be implemented in various ways, but they typically involve modifying the game’s code or memory to change the player’s movement speed.

Some speed hacks manipulate the game’s physics engine, while others involve external programs that inject code into the game’s memory.

While speed hacks can be difficult to detect and prevent, many game developers have implemented anti-cheat measures to identify and ban players who use them. These measures range from automated detection algorithms to manual reviews of gameplay footage and user reports.

Using speed hacks can also have unintended consequences, such as causing glitches or crashing the game. In addition, speed hacks can be illegal in some jurisdictions. In 2017, a man in the United States was sentenced to 27 months in prison for creating and selling a cheat program that included speed hacks for the game Grand Theft Auto V.

ESP Hacks

ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) hacks are a type of cheat used in video games that give players an unfair advantage by allowing them to see the location of other players, items, or other game objects that are normally hidden or difficult to detect.

In the context of online multiplayer games, ESP hacks are particularly problematic, as they allow players to easily locate and target opponents who are unaware of their presence.

ESP hacks can be implemented in various ways, but they typically involve modifying the game’s graphics engine or intercepting data being sent between the game and the server.

Some ESP hacks work by highlighting objects or players on the screen, while others display detailed information about the game world, such as the location and health of other players.

While ESP hacks can be difficult to detect and prevent, many game developers have implemented anti-cheat measures to identify and ban players who use them. These measures range from automated detection algorithms to manual reviews of gameplay footage and user reports.

Using ESP hacks can also have unintended consequences, such as causing glitches or crashing the game. In addition, ESP hacks can be illegal in some jurisdictions.

In 2021, a man in the United States was charged with wire fraud and computer intrusion for allegedly selling ESP hacks for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

Why is hacking unethical?

Hacking in online video games is unethical because it undermines the fairness and integrity of the game.

Online video games are designed to provide a level playing field for all players, with each player having an equal chance of winning or losing based on their skill and ability. Hacking disrupts this balance by giving certain players an unfair advantage over others.

Hacking also violates the terms of service of most online video games, prohibiting any software or modification that gives players an unfair advantage.

Violating these terms can result in a player’s account being suspended or banned, which can be frustrating and demoralizing for players who are playing the game fairly.

Furthermore, hacking can create a negative environment for other players by encouraging toxic behavior and undermining sportsmanship.

Players who use hacks may become overconfident and bully other players, creating an unpleasant, hostile environment for everyone.

Players who choose to cheat in this way are not only cheating themselves out of the satisfaction of winning through skill and effort but also harming the experiences of other players who are playing the game fairly.

Summary

In conclusion, hacking in online video games is unethical because it undermines the fairness and integrity of the game, violates the terms of service, and creates a negative environment for other players.

Hacking in competitive online gaming has become a common problem that disrupts fair play and sportsmanship.

Hackers manipulate game mechanics through software tools, such as aimbots, wall, speed, and ESP hacks, to gain an unfair advantage over other players.

These hacks can be difficult to detect, and their use is considered a violation of the game’s terms of service, leading to severe consequences such as permanent bans or legal action taken by the developers.

Such unethical practices undermine the gaming experience for other players, ruin the spirit of fair play, and hinder skill development.

Therefore, game developers must implement anti-cheat measures to detect and prevent hacking and maintain a level playing field.

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I will continue to share my thoughts and insights on a wide range of topics in the world of entertainment and technology.

With that being said, thank you for reading my post, and have a good one.

The original version of this story was published on another platform.

About the Author

I write articles in my field covering gaming, filmmaking, media, technology, and design. You can subscribe to my account to get notifications when I post on Medium and Vocal Media. I support Illumination Integrated Publications as an editor and moderate the Slack Workspace, where you can share your Vocal Stories with thousands of members free of charge. I own and manage two publications, one for gaming and one for YouTube. You may join via my referral link if you are new to Medium. You can also join Vocal Media to share your inspiring stories. I look forward to reading your posts on both platforms.

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About the Creator

Inspiring YouTuber and Gamer

I specialise in Media, Design, and Filmmaking. I support Illumination Integrated Publications on Medium as an editor and YouTube coordinator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9DhuGQYbpI& I also own two publications for Gaming and Podcasts.

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  • Chidambara Raju G12 months ago

    Informative :) Additionally, I would appreciate it if you could check out my stories, as I am a beginner and would welcome any suggestions about them.

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