cheesing

Cheesing is a term used in video games to describe exploiting a game's mechanics or design in an unintended way to gain an advantage or overcome a challenge easily. This often involves finding loopholes, using specific strategies that bypass intended gameplay, or taking advantage of predictable enemy AI. The term is derived from the perceived "cheapness" or unfairness of such tactics, as they can circumvent the difficulty or skill that the game developers might have intended.

Examples of cheesing can range from simple exploits like standing in a specific spot where enemies cannot reach you, to more complex strategies involving the manipulation of game physics or item duplication. It is often contrasted with legitimate play, where players engage with the game's challenges as designed. While some players consider cheesing to be a valid way to progress, especially when facing difficult sections or when seeking to complete a game quickly, others view it as detracting from the intended experience and diminishing the sense of accomplishment. Game developers sometimes attempt to patch out these exploits, but new forms of cheesing can emerge with subsequent updates or as players discover further intricacies of the game's systems.