I Am Not Good: The History of Cheating in Video Games

by Nate Drake, Mia Consalvo (Foreword)

For generations of players, cheat codes were a secret handshake. A gateway to extra lives, godlike powers, and hidden worlds. But behind every cheat lies a story of creativity, rebellion, and the ever-shifting line between play and power.

I Am Not Good: The History of Cheating in Video Games takes readers on a journey through the evolution of video game cheats, from the days of secret developer codes and the legendary Konami Code, to the Game Genie, god mode glory, and the wild rise of online cheat communities. Along the way, you’ll uncover the myths that fooled millions, the legal battles to crush cheating devices, and the strange charm of cheats that did nothing at all (except make everyone’s head enormous). Blending nostalgia and cultural insight, this book explores how cheats shaped gaming history. Not as acts of dishonor, but as expressions of curiosity, innovation, and the sheer joy of pushing the limits. After all, sometimes breaking the rules is half the fun.

186 pages, Paperback

First published May 21, 2026

About the author

Nate Drake is a cybersecurity journalist with a lifelong passion for digital puzzles and retro gaming. When not researching the golden era of gaming, Nate enjoys solving cryptic crosswords, taking brisk walks on the roof of his apartment building, and cultivating fruit and vegetables. Nate has never played Uncharted and has no plans to do so.

Reviews

[Olduncledave]

Really enjoyed this book quite a bit. Easy to read, interesting and well-researched. So many books on gaming are about personal experiences, so it was extremely nice and refreshing to read what I would call more of a "proper" history book on the topic of video game history, in this case (obviously) "cheats" through the years; why they were there, the stories behind their creation, how they were utilized and how the general perception of "cheating" has evolved as gaming has become less of a solitary experience. Very highly recommended!

[Still Loading Podcast]

A fascinating book that I was not expecting to be as interesting as it was. This sounds hyperbolic but this book literally changed my perception of cheating n video games and why it matters. From the Konami Code to Aim bots this book brings a nuanced look at the evolution and history of cheating in video games.

[Brian Riggsbee]

Deeply researched, informative, and a fun read.

[Anthony Levan]

Well researched and informative. Technical parts can get a little dry, but I'm not sure what could be done about that.