CHEAT SYSTEM

I don't think cheating should unlock serious content, more like content that it's like a gift. I would only make a cheat code unlock something that you can't unlock without it so it doesn't make the player themselves feel like they've cheated themselves out a real good game. Some examples of what to unlock:

Joke Characters, characters that where left out of the game for obvious reasons.

Messed-Up Codes, codes that don't add on but take away and mess with the code like transforming every diolouge into binary code.

Concept Art or Sketch Design. Probably won't see this in RPG Maker games but it be cool random screenshots of what teh game was going through during production stages, maybe even a team photo if you have one or a secret message.

If you do however make codes that max out your stats I like to rub the player's faces in it if I they do cheat to max their stats or get 99x of every item. Like you don't see the whole ending, or the main character defeats the guy and after it all said and done goes "Can you do it on your own now?".

I know I probably contradicted myself their a number of times, but that's my opinion.

author=tsimehC link=topic=1754.msg27898#msg27898 date=1219363767
I like the cheat system that was implemented in later episodes of The Way which allowed you to pass a puzzle or duel. Helped me a lot because I was deep into the story and didn't want to be left hanging.

I was about to use the same example! Though The Way was annoyingly difficult. If possible ... try to make your game not like that.

I have loads of cheats when I test the game. Usually some wall that will give me items I need when I started from a position that wasn't the start. And other bug testing cheats. ("what will happen if I double the items somehow and try to give a SECOND one to the guy?")

As for concept art and extras cheats. I don't really consider those cheats. They are Easter Eggs. There's a difference between the two. One is secret stuff that give you secrets and extras. The other one gives you stuff or abilities you shouldn't have. (godmode, unlimited ammo/potions/coinage etc)

Of course some easter eggs are semi-cheats in that they give you an easter egg weapon or something similar like that. But it could always be done so that even the easter egg doesn't break the game.

So there are beta-test cheats (that sometimes gets left in the game, by mistake or just for fun), easter eggs and cheats for people who suck so much they can't finish the game without them.

I don't think there's anything wrong with cheats in games as long as they are unlockable by game accomplishments. I love cheating through RPG's if I just want to run through the story again or pick up other unlockables I missed. Also, cheats that make gameplay harder tend to please some people as well. Only problem is that it's tedious to do with eventing (rm2k/3), but pretty easy with scripting (XP/VX).

I'm thinking on adding cheats to my game that make that game more difficult, such as "Upset Balance" which causes enemies to deal double damage while party members deal half. Or, one could go for the dreaded "Absolute Zero" - No experience points. Ever. How's that for evil?

(The game - Pimp - will still be beatable with a level 4 character, using a combination of Piercing, Reraise, and Potato Mashers.)

Yeah, but unlockables are the best kinds of hidden content. If you have a seperate menu where they're listed, and with a description of how to unlock them, you create sidequests, or maybe even replay value (the most elusive of the RPG elements). At any rate it extends the time a player can play the game and still have something new to do.