Evgenii "Gufis" Kondratev The history of Grand Theft Auto cheat codes sheds light on interesting aspects of the game's development. In GTA 3, cheat codes were relatively straightforward phrases like GUNSGUNSGUNS or NOPOLICEPLEASE, but in GTA: San Andreas, they turned into seemingly nonsensical strings like HESOYAM or AEZAKMI. So, what caused this shift? Now we have the answer.
A former technical director at Rockstar North Obbe Vermeij revealed that these codes were actually the result of a programming error. Originally, the cheat codes were supposed to look entirely different!
- HESOYAM intended: INEEDSOMEHELP
- BAGUVIX intended: NOONECANHURTME
- AEZAKMI intended: IDOASIPLEASE
- UZUMYMW intended: NUTTERSTOYS
The issue arose when developers decided to use hash codes to store the cheats in the game’s code. The problem with this method is that different combinations of characters can generate the same hash code. Consequently, players discovered alternative inputs through trial and error, with some of these becoming cultural memes.
Image: x.com
As a result, cheats became easier to accidentally input, especially during speedruns, leading to resets and frustration for players attempting record times. However, for casual players, memorizing seven random characters was often simpler than typing out a long phrase.
Given the immense cultural impact of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, this programming oversight turned out to have far-reaching consequences.
Main image: reddit.com
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