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Do you remember the first time you found a secret in a game? Was
it a hidden move for a fighter, an extra car in a race, or perhaps
a bonus level in a platform game? It's great to have the advantage
that a hidden code or secret can give. This week's feature will
take a look at the various types of secret and hidden ways to get
the most out of your games.
Cheat codes
By far, cheat codes are the most common type of secret found in
games. The purpose of cheat codes is simple - game programmers need
a way to test their games during development, so they intentionally
put in codes that could be activated by the play testers to allow
them to complete games quickly and efficiently.
On PC games, codes are often activated by pressing a series of keys,
or perhaps by entering a special name at the opening or high score
screen. Codes on console systems usually require the player to press
various buttons and directions on the controller at specific parts
of the game for activation.
So what happens to the cheat codes after work on the game has been
completed, and is ready for the stores? It's all up to the game's
developer. Some programmers choose to leave cheat codes in their
game, so gamers can also benefit from them. Getting them to reveal
the codes is another story. Intrepid gamers can try to find the
codes by themselves, either by trial and error or looking through
the executable files. Fortunately, some programmers are more than
willing to share their secrets to web sites, magazines, or tip lines.
Although simply leaving those play testing codes for people to find
and use is helpful, the really great codes are intentionally placed
by programmers to unlock features that actually extend a game (new
skins, characters or bonus maps for example).
In the worst-case scenario, all cheat codes are completely removed
by the programmer in the final version of the game, as in the PC
version of Command and Conquer or the PlayStation version of Final
Fantasy VII. In such games, there is no possible way to enter a
"regular" code to cheat. For the die hard cheater, a workaround
such as a trainer or GameShark cartridge can be used to unlock the
game's secrets.
Trainers
Simply put, a trainer is a program written by someone other than
the game's developer that allows cheating in games that don't feature
built-in codes. Trainers can run in the background, along with the
target game. They work by modifying specific areas in the PC's memory
to always keep your ammo full, shields charged, and lives full.
Other trainers actually patch the game's executable, data, configuration,
or save files to activate their features.
NOTE #1: Almost all trainers are unofficial programs made
by fans or hackers. Some of them require you to load up the trainer
first, and then load up the game, but some require you to run
the game first and then, while it is running, start the trainer.
Also, they usually work with a specific version of the game --
trying to run a trainer created for v1.0 of the game with version
1.1 of the game probably won't work. Sometimes there are also
differences between US, European and Asian versions of a game.
Make sure you carefully read the info file that come with a trainer
(README.TXT, .NFO info file or similar).
NOTE #2: Since trainers are executable programs and often
have unknown origins, there is a risk of infection from viruses,
and other unforeseen problems... so, please use them with caution!
All trainers and executables on AbsolutCheats are daily scanned
for viruses, but we cannot guarantee that an author didn't put
some new, unknown, variant or anything like that!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some trainers were made using a utility called "Trainer Maker Kit".
Few antivirus programs (such as Norton Antivirus, NOD32, AntiVir...) may interpret
it as a keylogger virus/trojan. That is why we do not recommend using them unless you're a
highly experienced computer user. Furthermore, those files are password-protected. If you're
absolutely sure you want to try them, click here for a
list of possible passwords.
GameShark and Game Genie codes
The GameShark and Pro Action Replay are devices that allow custom
cheat codes to be enabled in various console games. Originally developed
by Datel Design and Development, Ltd. in the U.K., this technology
is known as the Pro Action Replay in Europe, while distributed by
InterAct Accessories as the GameShark in North America. Acting much
like a trainer in the PC world, they write to locations in a console's
memory to activate their cheat features. GameShark codes are not
official products and are not endorsed by console manufacturers
such as Sega, Sony, or Nintendo. In fact, Nintendo actively places
new code routines in their Nintendo 64 cartridges to disable use
of a GameShark. In turn, InterAct has developed a keycode system
and ROM upgrades to keep their products working.
Devices similar to the GameShark have existed for some time. The
Game Genie (and Action Replay) provided a similar way to cheat on
the Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear, Nintendo Entertainment System,
Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Game Boy, and Sega
Master System. The 3DO Multiplayer console system had the Game Guru,
which allowed saved games to be edited, then read back into the
game with cheat features activated. Intrepid owners of the SNK Neo*Geo
system have even had the hardware in their consoles custom modified
in order to take advantage of secret DIP switch features buried
in their cartridges. The Commodore 64 and other older computer systems
had reset cartridges that allowed their RAM contents to be frozen,
dumped, edited, and reloaded with cheats.
FAQs, Walkthrough, Guides
The term FAQ is an abbreviation for "Frequently Asked Questions".
A FAQ is a text file that answers some of the more common questions
about a game. Solutions and walkthroughs are documents that provide
a detailed description on how to complete a game. Games in these
categories are often linear or semi-linear in game play allowing
such a step-by-step description to be useful.
Easter Eggs
Although they may not be helpful in getting through a game, Easter
Eggs are surprises hidden by programmers to make their work a little
more fun. They can range from cameo appearances from the people
that made the game to silly effects that are just for laughs.
Saved games, Level Codes
Most games aren't meant to be played in a single sitting and use
some sort of password or savegame system to allow continuation at
a later time. This gives players the opportunity to trade saved
games to give other people the items or levels gained, or pump up
their saves through file editing.
Hex Editing
This is probably the most difficult cheat to pull off, mostly because
advanced computer knowledge is required from a user. Hex editing
allows you to directly alter the game files by changing values stored
in the original .exe or data files. Hex cheats will usually come
with a location (also called address or offset) you need to modify
and a value you need to put there. In order to edit files this way,
you will need to download a hex editor program (please check out
the 'Cheat Tools' section for more
info and download links). You're highly advised to always make a
backup of the file you're going to modify!
Editors
Editor is usually a small program that allows a user to modify his
saved games or some other game-related file. An editor is basically
a front-end for a hex cheat. Someone has created a program to do
the hex editing for you, to make the this simple. Note that editors
might only work with a specific version of the game, so always read
the included info.
Command-Line Cheating
Some games require using of command-line parameters. To start
a game with command line parameters you need to do the following:
- Right-click on the game shortcut icon, and select Properties -- a new screen will show up.
- Add the required parameter at the very end of the Target field.
For example, if you need to start the game with ' -devmode' parameter,
target line should look similar to this:
"C:\Program Files\Some Game\game.exe" -devmode
As you can see, the required parameter is located at the very
end of the line, outside the quotes that initially were there,
and there is also a blank space in front of it. The following
examples WON'T work:
"C:\Program Files\Game\game.exe"-devmode
"C:\Program Files\Game\game.exe -devmode"
"C:\Program Files\Game\game.exe-devmode"
- After you've changed the line, click Apply to save changes
and then run the game using that shortcut.
UHS
UHS is short for "Universal Hint System". This is a type of cheat
that will give you only the hints you need, not revealing the full
answer. In order to use them you will need the base program. Look
under 'Cheat Tools' section for more
info and download links.
UGE
UGE is short for "Universal Game Editor". This is a DOS based cheating
tool that allows a user to use UGE modules that will allow altering
of game values. A basic program is required for this cheating method.
Check out the 'Cheat Tools' section
for more info and download links.
Gamewizard
This cheat method is similar to UGE -- users create GW tables of
data to alter values in a game. You will need this program to use
files with the .gw extension. Check out the 'Cheat
Tools' section for more info and download links.
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