Cheese

Cheesing means finding an easy way round something that is supposed to be hard. Instead of learning a boss’s attacks, you might stand on a ledge it cannot reach and attack safely; instead of fighting through a level, you might use a quirk of the physics to skip it. A tactic like this is called cheese, or described as cheesy.

The glossary definition is a tactic that may be considered cheap, unfair or overly easy. Cheese often relies on the computer opponent behaving predictably or on situations the designers did not anticipate.

Cheese in single-player and multiplayer

In single-player games, cheese is mostly harmless. Some players enjoy finding it; others think it spoils the challenge. Many developers leave popular cheese strategies in place, especially if they are fun to discover, while others remove them in a patch.

In multiplayer games, cheese usually means an all-or-nothing tactic that wins quickly if the opponent is unprepared but fails badly if they spot it. Strategy games have famous examples, such as an early surprise attack before the opponent has built defences. These are within the rules, though opponents often find them annoying.

Cheese, exploits and cheating

The boundaries matter. Cheese uses the game as it works, even if not as intended. An exploit takes advantage of a genuine bug, which may break rules in online play. Cheating uses outside tools or modifications to gain an advantage, and can lead to bans. When in doubt in competitive play, check the game’s rules or code of conduct.

A relaxed attitude helps

For newcomers stuck on a tough section, looking up a cheese strategy is perfectly reasonable – games are meant to be enjoyed. Parents hearing “I cheesed it” can take it as a sign of creative problem-solving rather than wrongdoing.