Play Style: Cheats or no Cheats?

[samoht04]

So do you cheat? I used to cheat but after starting a legacy I kind of realized I found it much more fun without cheats. I sometimes use the max needs and motherlode but that is pretty rare now a days.

If you only use cheats in building or when you have to use them. e.g resetsim. just ignore cheats like that.

[Pam]

I can't say I never cheat because sometimes if I'm not playing a challenge game, I'll use the transporter cheat and maybe raise their needs.  It's almost always while traveling and especially when collecting gems and metals because it takes so long to run all the way across the country with no roads!  That's about it for me.  I like to get things the old fashioned way...  I earn it! 

[malteser60]

I sometimes do cheat, rarely though. Normally I only cheat if it goes with my storyline, such as using the motherlode for example, or if I CAS then realize I've given them the wrong trait so I'll use a cheat for that. Otherwise I don't enjoy the game so much if I can use cheats to obtain my final goal.

[Twinmum]

In TS2 I used to use cheats and mods that did the cheating for you, but when I got TS3 I didn't use the cheats as much. Of course when I started playing challenges, anything like that went out the door and I must say, I have enjoyed the game more by playing it that way. I do use cheats when I am testing things, but that is in a completely different game file, and in my building game, my house tester has a ridiculous amount of money without ever having worked a day in her life.. she spends her time moving from one house to the next so she often needs a large sum of money.

Norma

[Mikeyspoons]

I don't cheat while playing because I think it's boring otherwise. The only time I cheat is during landscaping so I can make better gardens and sometimes when making a house, like while making a grand staircase or when building on a slope. Otherwise it makes it too easy 

[Metropolis Man]

Good topic for a poll and discussion, samo. I chose "It depends." The vast majority of my personal Sims 3 gaming time is devoted to the Tournament Challenges and the Dynasty, so no cheats. When I write for the Guide, if I'm writing a lengthy LTW walkthrough, then no cheats too — those characters need to be from scratch with no cutting corners. But, I test a lot too. I test for Carl for specific info he might need for the Guide, and I do a lot of testing for challenge ideas to see what works, etc. So, for testing purposes, anything goes.

[Aiwe]

I chose it depends and hardly ever. Mostly I don't cheat during game play, but I do use the MoveObjects cheat a fair bit for aesthetic purposes, I'm also starting to like buydebug for the spawners, fish make ponds look more pondlike, butterflies around bushes also add realism, but I feel I shouldn't put rare spawners on a starting lot, putting say minnows in the pond, well I could do that easily enough in game but they wouldn't be visible, putting in deathfish, that's cutting corners, and fairly big corners at that. Otherwise I use cheats to fix bugs (like the drop traits one or if a Sim gets stuck) and sometimes if I'm just testing something I'll use motherlode so I can buy the object I want to test. The Grim challenge was actually the first time I've ever used static needs, it was interesting to try out, but I don't think I'll be using it much.

[MomOfMany]

I did use cheat seldom with the Sims 2 but since I have got the Sims 3 I haven't used any. The only time I ever have is with the Upgrade Challenge where you used motherload or whatever it is for money. I haven't started my Grim Reaper Challenge so no cheats there either. So I chose that I never use cheats because it has probably been about 4 years since I used cheats in Sims 2 maybe longer and never in Sims 3 unless it was a challenge I like to play without them.

[Schipperke]

Only when I have to fix a bug like a stuck sim or clone or some other problem that can't be resolved any other way.  To me, cheats take the challenge out of the game and make it boring.

[mtglady]

I tend to reset my Sim when he or she is stuck but that is all.  I do use cheats when building especially moveobjects. 
My Sims need to earn their own way in life and for the most part they all work hard, although sometimes I think I work harder than they do just trying to keep track of them.   With Ambitions installed it is much easier for them to earn money - they just hit the junk yards after work then call the repairperson once a week. 
I used to enjoy Legacy games with Sims 2 and have completed a couple of games to the 10th generation with Sims 3.  Now I just play totally for fun! 

[Dreamweaver]

I occasionally use move objects on if something or someone is stuck. Also used a cheat to kill an elder sim that wouldn't die. Used kaching a few times to help really poor families avoid the repo man

[LaB]

I always cheat, their needs are always static, I give them money so they can have nice things in their homes but if I want to play with a rich family then I'll do the family funds cheat and give them as much as possible. I don't do challenges I just play for fun. Using cheats doesn't take the fun out it, I enjoy it better. 

[Sarah]

I voted for the 'sometimes' option. I used to always use motherlode, but I've stopped using it now and its freeing, because its stopped me from buying the top end versions of everything which made my interiors all look the same. It's also nice because my Sims now get more wishes to just buy something worth xx Simoleons, which hardly used to happen.
The first thing I do when I play though is to put moveobjects on, and I enable testingcheats in case I want to change a trait (especially if it's a Sim I didn't create coming into the family) or to boost energy levels when I need a Sim to get something done. Testingcheats is always on, but its like my safety blanket - I like having it on but I still let my Sims be Sims; ie needing the toilet/shower/food etc.

[Beddy_Boop]

I used to be addicted to cheats (but no mods, or 3rd party)after I had found the guide. But then I found the forum and wanted to do the challenges; obviously most don't want you to use any cheats so I adjusted and found it much more fun to play without them.

[JeffGuy]

I know I said "Yes, sometimes I do," but I only ever really use cheats like "motherlode" "kaching" and "unlockoutfits" and "resetsim"
Sometimes I create games with crazy sims and I use all bizarre cheats.
I do enjoy disco tags though, they're fun!