Cheating, no not with your partner, is one of those areas of computer games I could really do without. Not only does it make online games unfair and very difficult, cheating completely takes the fun out of games. From cheat codes, to hacks, to game editors, there is just way too many ways for gamers to cheat their way through games.

Cheating seems to be stronger than ever. While game creaters are trying to put a stop cheating, hackers seem to come out with some way to leverage their advantage, with minimal work in almost any game. While the most popular, and online games are the largest target, you will notice it happening in smaller games as well. But what can we do about it?

Unfortunately, not much can be done about these cheaters. Some online services have a way to report members who you suspect of cheating, but most of the time, those in power do not care. They just want people using their service, not giving any thought as to how the service is being used. So that leaves it up to you to try to give these cheaters a bad rap.

If you play a game often, and can somehow prove that someone is cheating, make sure not to play with them. Other than that, all you could really do is tell your gaming buddies that particular person's name, so they can avoid playing with them as well. Nothing hurts a person's feelings more than being left out (or kicked out) of every game they try to join. It may seem mean, but it's the only way to teach these little rats a lesson.

However, cheating is the only way to get yourself hated by other players. If you do not keep a sense of the Klingon Honor System, you are going to get booted from every good server out there. Would you want to get stabbed or shot from behind, picked off by a camper in an impossible to get at position, or double teamed when it's supposed to be one on one? Nope, didn't think so. In fact, sometimes cheating can be better than having no honor. Remember, "It's a good day to die!"

But honor goes beyond the golden rule of "Do onto other, what you would like done onto yourself." If you are fragged by someone good, don't yell "You stupid cheater!" Be a good sport and say "gf" or "good fight." When you begin a match, it's always great to say "gl" or "good luck," and "gg" or "good game" when ending a match. And when leaving a server, tell your opponents/allies "thanks for the great games" or "thanks for the many hours of fun." You will gain much more respect if you follow these simple unwritten rules.

By doing these things (keeping honor, not cheating, being polite, etc.) you will be setting a great example for others joining the server, or just beginning to enjoy the game you have been playing for weeks. While veteran players won't change their ways too quickly, you have the power to shape the next generation of players into one where respect and honor rule above winning at any cost.

Finally, do not get tempted into cheating, or becoming an honorless slob. You will undoubtedly come across some really "cool" looking cheats, or have perfect opportunities to dishonorably kill someone without them ever knowing. But don't get sucked into these traps. As soon as you commit the mistake once, you will not be able to stop. You will just keep cheating, and cheating , and cheating, caught in a web of despair. And I know you wouldn't want that to happen.

So get out there, have fun. After all, that's what you are doing (or maybe you are just wasting time) when playing a game. If you take that aspect out of it, you have nothing left. Soon thereafter, the game will become unplayable, as everyone will be "too easy" and/or you will be banned from every server. Then how would you have fun, destroy a few PCs?