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

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.

• Written by Nate Drake
• Edited by Riley MacLeod
• Foreword by Mia Consalvo
• Cover by Greg Melo