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Homo Deludens

Cheating as a Methodological Tool in Digital Games Research

University of Ulster, UK, julian{at}kuecklich.de

/ This paper intends to map the possibilities as well as the dangers of using cheats in games research. It starts out from an understanding of games as entities in which the impulse to play is inextricably linked to the desire to cheat, as the close etymological kinship of the Latin terms ludo (I play) and deludo (I cheat) suggests. Therefore, it can be argued that, in order to understand a game, one must play not only by its rules but also with its rules. This will be demonstrated using examples drawn from my own games research experience, addressing the ethical, methodological and epistemological implications of this practice.

Key Words: cheating • deludology • methodology • rule-breaking • video games

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Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, Vol. 13, No. 4, 355-367 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1354856507081951


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Kücklich, J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?