God mode
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
God mode is a state in some video games wherein the player character is invulnerable to damage. It is typically activated by entering a cheat code. The term may also be used when the CPU opponent, mostly in sports games, goes into a "god-like" state, deliberately altering the probabilities and mechanics of gameplay in its favor.
[edit] Description
The term originated in Moria[citation needed] and was popularized by the games of id Software in the 1990s. The name is derived from the command traditionally used to activate it: typing "GOD" in the game's command console. In earlier games, such as Doom, one must simply enter a code during game play - in the case of Doom, this code became famous within the Doom community - IDDQD, for "Degreelessness Mode"; DQD coming from a three-person group, including Doom programmer Dave Taylor, who were a fraternity of college students who would quit their classes before getting F's. Other effects may be activated by using the cheat, for example unlimited ammunition or the ability to fly. The cheat is commonplace, particularly in action-oriented first-person shooters such as Quake or Half-Life.
The early shooter Rise of the Triad used a literal God Mode as a power-up: the player begins making "Godly" noises, becomes ten feet tall, and can disintegrate enemies with homing "Godfire" shot from his or her hand. They also developed the first well-known mock of God Mode, named Dog Mode, where the player becomes two feet tall, furry, and utilize tackles and barks to take down opponents, all the while remaining just as invincible as the player would be while in God Mode.
Many other games have invicible powerups, most only for a limited time. These for the most part are not considered god mode since the powerups are meant to be used, and are not considered cheating.
Another variation of god mode prevents the player from reaching a health point below 1, and has been dubbed "Buddha mode" in Source engine-based titles such as Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines and Half-Life 2.
God modes (and other similar modes) often originate as a means by which developers test games. If a new feature is implemented in a game but requires play to determine whether it works, it saves time if a developer can quickly reach the relevant portion of the game by avoiding death or by "flying" over time-consuming regions of the game environment. This source of God modes often manifests itself in the route by which players activate these modes - for example, running a game with a development mode flag.
Use of god mode or other cheats is frowned upon in multiplayer gaming. Most cheats are disabled in most multiplayer games by default. However, in some games, cheats are integrated into the gameplay. Dedicated game servers running certain tools (such as "AMX" or "Admin" server mods for Half-Life servers) allow the administrators of the server to grant and revoke god mode or other abilities. In Blizzard Entertainment's games god mode can only be invoked in single player; the player is not allowed to cheat against other players. The exception to that rule is in the Warcraft 2's multiplayer. Activating god mode in Warcraft 2also gives all attacking units extreme damage (255 in Warcraft 2, enough to kill enemy units instantly).
Frequently, god modes do not provide full invulnerability; for instance, being immune to enemy attack frequently does not protect a player if they were to fall into a pit, and in Duke Nukem 3D, PIE mode does not prevent Duke from dying instantly if noclip mode is activated and he walks outside the programmed area. In Doom, a single hit that inflicts more than 1,000 damage to the player will bypass god mode and kill the player instantly, regardless of whether the player is cheating. A common example of this is a telefrag, where the player gets killed because another teleports into the same space he or she occupies, doing 10,000 damage. Also, entering some damaging floors, designated type 11, will override god mode. In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Carl Johnson is invulnerable to enemy gunfire, but still takes damage from explosions, falls, and being hit by cars as well as still needing to eat. Also, God mode may automatically deactivate after one level, or after a set extended gameplay period.
In games that feature a high score list, activating God mode automatically forfeits the player's chance to have his or her name or initials listed (like all episodes of Heroes of Might & Magic). MechWarrior 2 on the other hand, if a player uses any altered reality modes in the menu, the player will not be able to go on to the next mission. The exception to this in MechWarrior 2 is if you type in the god mode cheat blorb, it will not count against you. Since God mode makes the player invulnerable to ingame damage, the player can achieve an unrealistically high score which is extremely difficult or impossible to achieve with a non-cheating player. Some games (e.g. Enigma) even admonish the player for cheating , either when the code is activated or the level completed. Claw also prevents saving at checkpoints. Wolfenstein 3D cut player's points to 0 when he used the special MLI key combination, giving him all available items and refreshing health.
