Editing Cheating in online games (section)

==Unsporting play==

===Boosting / Win trading===
{{main|Video game boosting}}
Players will set up multiple accounts to play against each other. Usually, the primary account will be allowed to win through a deliberate lack of resistance from the secondary account(s) due to those accounts being unplayed or those players agreeing to lose. Some players will reverse roles between games, giving each account an equal win–loss record.

===Disconnecting===
In games where wins and losses are recorded on a player's account, a player may disconnect when they are about to lose in order to prevent that loss from being recorded. This is usually done by activating known in-game glitches or through third-party sources via "IP booting" (a feature of firewall software). Some players do this if they feel their opponent is being unfair.
Some games implement a disconnection penalty, usually by recording the disconnect as a loss, a deduction of experience, or even [[Elo rating system|Elo]] points. Certain games also have a 'disconnect delay' period before the player can disconnect that can last 10–30 seconds. This prevents a player from instantly disconnecting if they are about to die or lose. In some games, if a player disconnects they can receive a warning or even get locked out of online play for a short period.

===Rapid Fire Modifications (Macros)===
In many games, weapons can be fired in burst fire or single shot fire modes. Modifying a controller or keyboard/mouse to gain the advantage of having a faster firing weapon than the standard player can be considered a method of cheating. These modifications can create an imbalance within the game. In addition to modifying a console or its controller, it is possible to achieve a similar effect on the PC by binding the firing button to the scroll wheel of a mouse, or by using a macro setting that will simulate rapid key presses automatically. However, most games limit the rate at which weapons can be fired, regardless of how fast a player presses the button, in order to limit this form of cheating.

===Exploits===
{{Main|Exploit (online gaming)}}
Exploiting is the application of an unintended feature or [[computer bug|bug]] that gives the player an advantage not intended by the game design. Exploiting is generally considered cheating by the gaming community at large due to the unfair advantage usually gained by the exploiter. Most software developers of online games prohibit exploiting in their terms of service and often issue sanctions against players found to be exploiting. There is some contention by exploiters that exploiting should not be considered cheating as it is merely taking advantage of actions allowed by the software. Some players view exploiting as a skill because certain exploits take a significant amount of time to find, or dexterity and timing to use.{{elucidate|date=January 2017}}

===Farming===
The term farming may refer to the practice of garnering achievements or virtual property for the purpose of [[Virtual economy|real-money-trading]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Dibbell |first=Julian |url=http://archive.wired.com/gaming/virtualworlds/magazine/16-12/ff_ige?currentPage=all |title=Wired Magazine: 16.12, The Decline and Fall of an Ultra Rich Online Gaming Empire |publisher=Wired.com |date= 2008-11-24|access-date=2015-01-05}}</ref> With rare exception, this has no direct effect on the gaming experience of other players; instead, it is a violation of most [[End-user license agreement|EULAs]] and could devalue the virtual property being farmed.

===Twinking===
{{Main|Twinking}}
Twinking is the act of transferring gear intended for higher level characters to lower level characters that would be incapable of obtaining the gear on their own. Twinked characters have a huge advantage over non-twinked characters, as well as the rest of the game world. This is usually used by players who wish to create a new character, either to help them level more rapidly or to gain an unfair advantage in PvP (''i.e.'' player versus player, a type of multiplayer interactive conflict). Most MMORPGs tolerate it, provided that the twinked character is not used in PvP combat against non-twinked characters. Often limits on twinking are placed into the game, usually through strict level or stat requirements to equip the item. Circumventing these level requirements would then be further cheating.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.weflyspitfires.com/2009/09/17/twinking-is-just-another-form-of-cheating/ |title=Twinking Is Just Another Form Of Cheating &#124; We Fly Spitfires - MMORPG Blog |publisher=Blog.weflyspitfires.com |date=2009-09-17 |access-date=2010-07-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727020911/http://blog.weflyspitfires.com/2009/09/17/twinking-is-just-another-form-of-cheating/ |archive-date=2010-07-27 }}</ref>

===Ghosting===
Most games allow other participants to observe the game as it is played from a variety of perspectives; depending on the game, perspectives allow an observer a map overview or attach a "camera" to the movement of a specific player. In doing so, the observer can communicate with an accomplice using a secondary communication methodology (in-game [[private message]], third party communication, or even off-line) to inform friendly players of traps or the position of opponents. An observer can be an active player, using a separate computer, connection and account.

Some systems prevent inactive players from observing the game if they are on the same [[IP address]] as an active player, on the grounds that they are probably in close physical proximity; when all players from a single IP address are no longer active participants, they are all allowed to observe. However, this restriction can be easily evaded if there are multiple IP addresses available at one location (a common feature of broadband subscriptions), or if the observer installs [[remote desktop software]] on their computer, thus enabling their computer screen to be viewed by select other players in real time.

Additionally, this may be used against players livestreaming to platforms like [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] to observe the player and their team's position and stats. This is often referred to as [[stream sniping]].

===Stacking===
Stacking involves altering game settings or team lineups to give one or more teams an unfair advantage over others. One example includes arranging a team composed of skilled or professional players against a team with members of lesser skill. Less ethical rigging involves weighting the game by providing a player or team with an advantage by outfitting them with better (or more familiar) weapons or equipment, or creating a play field that caters to a certain player, team or playing style. Many games prevent this by preventing players from joining a team with more players than the opposing side, forcing newcomers to balance the teams.

===Scripting===
Scripting is the use of a program or game feature to automate certain actions or behaviors. The use of scripts may or may not be considered cheating, depending on the behavior involved, and whether said behaviour is replicable without the use of such script. A script may give the user unusually fast firing rate, unobtainable otherwise, or may perform seemingly trivial tasks such as reloading. Some scripts can also tamper with other players' systems by spoofing commands.