Is it sinful to cheat in computer games?

[Facite]

Would it be sinful (or even mortally sinful) to get better in a game by using tools that aren't allowed by the game? For example, I was playing this role-playing game that involves repetitious clicking, so I get a macro that allows to click for me while I am not on the computer, however, this macro is prohibited by the game and using this may result in expulsion. I am familiar that in the CCC, it states that using unfair advantages to get an advantage in games are sinful, but what about computer games?

Thank you,
Facite.

[Bookcat]

It is prohibited -- your agreeing to the rules in playing with others. One should not do such.

[Facite]

Would it be in anyway mortally sinful?

[andremiguel]

Originally Posted by Facite

Would it be sinful (or even mortally sinful) to get better in a game by using tools that aren't allowed by the game? For example, I was playing this role-playing game that involves repetitious clicking, so I get a macro that allows to click for me while I am not on the computer, however, this macro is prohibited by the game and using this may result in expulsion. I am familiar that in the CCC, it states that using unfair advantages to get an advantage in games are sinful, but what about computer games?

Thank you,
Facite.

No sin. The rule is that you get expelled not that you go to hell !

[padrepio_2012]

I highly doubt it is gravely sinful. In fact i almost gurantee you it is not. Unless it involves you stealing money by hacking or something that damages or takes from someone else, it isn't mortal. THere are three requirements for a sin to be mortal.

1. The matter itself must be grave. so it has to be serious. killing is serious. cheating on computer games? not so much.

2. You have to know it is a grave sin. if you do know it is grave an do it anyway, this is a sin. if you do not know if it is mortal, then it isn't mortal because how can it be? if you didn't know then you can't be held accountable. for instance, take a baby. a baby doesn't know it is wrong to take what isn't his. so if he takes some kids toy, then how can he be in trouble if he did not know? same goes for you i would say in this siutuation. if you truly do not know if it is mortal, then you haven't committed a mortal sin because your not sure. if your not sure however if something is mortal or not, i would not continue to do it. just to be safe. but as padre pio said,

"when you are uncertain or rather in doubt as to whether or not you mortally offended God- may God preserve you from this act -act as follows; make an act of contrition and go forward. what else? continue to receive Communion and do not worry about not being able to receive the sacrament of penance. Jesus will prize your goodwill. remember what i have told you so often; as long as we are not certain of being in serious sin, we need not abstain from communion."

3. you have to have reflected and known that what youwere about to do was mortal but you did it anyway, with you own free will. meaning you knew it was wrong, but you freely chose to do so anyway.

if your sin fulfills all three of these conditions, it is a mortal sin. but if it doesn't fulfill one of them, it isn't a grave sin but you shoudl go t confession anyways. unless it isn't a sin at all, then there's no need. if you think twiddling your thumbs is a sin then obviously you do not need to go.

hope this helps, and if you have more questions pm me. just don't do it anymore an i think you'll be fine.

[Aeden]

Andre, you seem to be looking at the punishment that most game companies give out as a trade off, as opposed to a penalty. There is a difference. In the case of a trade off, it would be, I'll do x and you can do y. In the case of game companies, you explicitly agree to not use third party software and agree that the company has the right to shut down your account if you do. Thus, you break your word if you use those sorts of things. As for mortal or venial, I am pretty sure that a lie is only a mortal sin if it is harmful to another person, and debatable, using cheats like that could be considered to be harmful in the respect that it lets you rise artificially through the online rankings, refusing other players their rightful place in said rankings.

[austenbosten]

Originally Posted by Facite

Would it be sinful (or even mortally sinful) to get better in a game by using tools that aren't allowed by the game? For example, I was playing this role-playing game that involves repetitious clicking, so I get a macro that allows to click for me while I am not on the computer, however, this macro is prohibited by the game and using this may result in expulsion. I am familiar that in the CCC, it states that using unfair advantages to get an advantage in games are sinful, but what about computer games?

Thank you,
Facite.

Dude, just be honest and admit you are cheating on Runescape.

No it's not a sin, but it does make you a jerk...so be a man and don't cheat, cause only N00b l0zers who cant work on their uber skillz needs cheats. lol

[Pat Payne]

Originally Posted by Facite

Would it be sinful (or even mortally sinful) to get better in a game by using tools that aren't allowed by the game? For example, I was playing this role-playing game that involves repetitious clicking, so I get a macro that allows to click for me while I am not on the computer, however, this macro is prohibited by the game and using this may result in expulsion. I am familiar that in the CCC, it states that using unfair advantages to get an advantage in games are sinful, but what about computer games?

Thank you,
Facite.

I hope not! In that case, I condemned myself back in 1987 by going up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A-Start. (Still couldn't win Contra even with the 30 lives, BTW... )

Seriously what I think they mean are in competitive games, where there is a clear winner or loser. For instancer, using steroids to get an unfair advantage over other athletes, or using crooked dealing to win at poker. Here, it's cheesy and munchkin-y, and TPTB will bounce you if they find you doing it, but probabkly not sinful as you're not depriving anyone else of a chance at victory.

As an aside, how would that impact people who use "card-counting" systems at blackjack, such as in that movie from a few years back? That is, aside from the whole "If you do it, the mob running the casino will beat you up and ban you, not necessarily in that order..."

[austenbosten]

Originally Posted by Pat Payne

I hope not! In that case, I condemned myself back in 1987 by going up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A-Start. (Still couldn't win Contra even with the 30 lives, BTW... )

Oh no!!! The flames of Hell are licking me....Why did I pray to a pagan deity called Game Genie to help me play games like TMNT?

[Pat Payne]

Originally Posted by austenbosten

Oh no!!! The flames of Hell are licking me....Why did I pray to a pagan deity called Game Genie to help me play games like TMNT?

Yes. Why? The GameShark was where it was at

[austenbosten]

Originally Posted by Pat Payne

Yes. Why? The GameShark was where it was at

This was before GameShark aaaaaaahhhhhh it burns it Burns!!!

[Mintaka]

If you're playing at home, not playing against someone else and not doing it for bragging rights, cheat codes and the like are not cheating. They're just letting you peek at the back of the crossword puzzle book, etc.

If you're playing a game online, and you've agreed to certain rules along with all the other players, it would seem that using a macro would be cheating. Using your little sister to play the game while you do something else -- probably moral, if you pay her fair wages. Using someone from China, probably not.

Of course, if the game is so boring you want to use a macro to escape grinding, I question your choice of game.

[Andrew999]

I would just like to say that all sin should be avoided, regardless of if it is mortal or venial. Good luck with your game and God bless.

[pigzig]

(imo) If you play with other people yes, if you play by yourself no. But it could be a sign of weak will.