Game Design Issues: Cheating in Pokemon

How to limit cheating:

I have some advice for the developers for how to limit the temptation to cheat:

• Make it easier to get optimal sets in a competitive game. The more time consuming or luck based acquiring such characters or items, the more likely players will cheat to get them.
• Keep the hyper training feature or an equivalent in future games.
• There is a rumor that you can change a Pokémon’s nature in the upcoming Sword and Shield games. This is a great idea, though it might require a specific item to do so. This is perfect for one of a kind Pokémon.
• There should be a fast way to gain levels in a Pokémon game. If the designers are worried about it making the game too easy, simply only allow players who beat the game to access this perk.
• Quick EV training. Even better yet, make these numbers visible! If it is easy to be precise, even better. Supposedly, Sword and Shield’s Pokémon jobs feature may have this perk.
• Allow an easy way to change to and from a Pokémon’s hidden ability. If finding a rare version of a Pokémon is the only way to do this, or to breed it, it is a little too time consuming. An item would be ideal for this.
• And of course, better hack checks during online play. I have no idea how they usually do it, but it needs to catch more of these players. Incurring a penalty to players that have a hacked Pokémon, such as restricting online play for a set amount of time is ideal. Make sure they know why they are getting the penalty
• Incidentally, some players may have received a hacked Pokémon in a trade without knowing it. These players should be able to report weather they know about this, and be able to dispute such penalties they may receive. They will have to report that they got the offending Pokémon through a trade, and who they got it from.
• Allow more opportunities to get download only Pokémon. They don’t have to be paid DLC, nor do they have to be allowed in official competitions, but they shouldn’t be a once a generation opportunity. Also, the method of downloading should be accessible to all. Rare codes only found in stores, or using a phone app limits the players who can get them. Leave them to a free download via an in game option, or to use the device’s online shop.

These are some tools and possibilities that should limit hacking. It will occur even without these changes, but fewer players, particularly fewer new players will be tempted to resort to hacking. Make the system clear and understandable for all players, and they won’t need to tamper with the game to get what they want.

These are my thoughts on hacking in the Pokémon games. What about you? What do you think will limit hacking? What was the worst bit of hacking you have encountered? Let me know in the comments below! If you liked this article, you can click that like button. If you want to stay up to date with That’s All Games, you can subscribe via email. Until next time, have fun gaming!