As much as I hate to admit it, there is no definite way to completely stop "cheating" in video games. No matter how tight a security system is, there is always a weak spot. There are people out there who do nothing else besides look for those weak spots and exploit them. If were talking about banks, those people are thieves. If were talking about online gaming, those people are hackers.

"Cheating" in video games has taking on a pretty broad meaning. There are several ways to actually "cheat". Some of the most popular are scamming, bugging, buying in-game cash, and, of course, hacking. Very few people who cheat actually hack, most people don't know how to read source code let alone find a loop-hole or change a value. These people often prey on newbies, scamming them of hard-earned cash, or glitching and bugging to gain an advantage. Then of course we have the people who buy ingame money, despite the harsh penalties if they are caught doing so.

However, as annoying and unbalancing as cheating is, its usually a very small percentage of people who do it, most people have enough sense (and enough decency) to play the game fairly (yes morals, if you don't have some, you better get some). Most online games are very good about catching those lost souls who wander from the great teachings of Sesame Street.

Anyway, even though we can do very little to help stop people form exploiting games (aside from whining to GM's and submitting worthless tickets), we can still enjoy the game, just grab your guildies and go on a PK frenzy until all those little whiny kids are dead.

By the way, I have met a few people who hack. Those who were actually good at it (as in real programmers, not those people who download pre-made add-ons), very rarely did it. Funny thing about cheats and codes and extras, once you got them, it takes all the fun out of the game.

Couldn't agree more Manetheren. Good metaphor there my friend.