At the New Team of Weapons and Tactics, our approach to managing cheats, exploits, and glitches, is tailored to the context of gameplay, ensuring flexibility for personal enjoyment without compromising the integrity of competitive play.

Understanding Cheats, Exploits, and Glitches

In the realm of gaming, the terms "cheats," "cheating," "exploits," and "exploiting" often lead to confusion and can be subject to contentious interpretations. While not all players may agree with the definitions provided here, it is crucial for members of the New Team of Weapons and Tactics and users of our game servers and services to comprehend our stance on these concepts clearly based on the definitions we provide here, given our stringent policies on such practices.

What’s a Cheat?

A cheat in the context of gaming is a method, tool, or technique used to gain an unfair advantage or alter the intended gameplay experience, often in a way that is against the rules or spirit of the game. Cheats can be implemented in various ways, including:

• Cheat Codes: Special codes or button combinations inputted by the player to unlock secret features, powers, or shortcuts. These are often included by developers intentionally for testing or as Easter eggs.
• Third-Party Software: External programs or hacks designed to modify the game's behavior, such as aimbots, wallhacks, or speed hacks, which provide players with abilities not intended by the game's creators.
• Game Modifications (Mods): Altering the game files or using modding tools to change gameplay elements, character abilities, or other in-game mechanics in a way that provides an advantage over other players.
• Exploiting Bugs or Glitches: Taking advantage of unintended bugs or glitches in the game to perform actions that are not possible under normal gameplay conditions.

Cheats are typically frowned upon in competitive and online gaming environments because they undermine fairness and the integrity of the game. While some cheats, like cheat codes in single-player games, can be harmless and intended for fun, cheats in multiplayer or competitive contexts can severely disrupt the balance of the game and negatively impact the experience for other players

What’s an Exploit?

Broadly speaking, an exploit is a technique, method, or tool used to take advantage of a bug, glitch, or vulnerability in software, hardware, or a system to achieve unintended or unauthorized behavior. In the context of gaming, an exploit refers to the use of such methods to gain an unfair advantage, bypass restrictions, or achieve results that are not intended by the game developers. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Glitches: Leveraging bugs in the game to achieve actions that are not normally possible, such as duplicating items, moving through walls, or becoming invincible.
• Unintended Game Mechanics: Exploiting game mechanics in ways that were not anticipated by the developers to gain an advantage, like using a specific sequence of actions to defeat powerful enemies easily.
• Code Manipulation: Modifying the game's code or memory through external tools or software to alter the game's behavior, such as increasing player stats or changing game physics.

Exploits differ from cheats in that cheats are typically intentional modifications or additions made to the game to alter gameplay, often through cheat codes or third-party software, whereas exploits involve taking advantage of existing flaws or oversights in the game's design or coding.

What’s a Glitch?

A glitch is an unintended and usually temporary malfunction or anomaly in a software program, hardware device, or system. In the context of gaming, a glitch refers to an unexpected behavior or flaw in the game’s code that causes the game to operate in ways not intended by the developers. Glitches can vary in severity and impact on gameplay, ranging from minor visual oddities to major issues that affect game mechanics and player progress. Common types of glitches in gaming include:

• Graphical Glitches: Errors in the rendering of visuals, such as textures not loading correctly, characters appearing incorrectly, or objects clipping through one another.
• Physics Glitches: Anomalies in the game's physics engine, such as objects or characters moving in unintended ways, floating, or passing through solid surfaces.
• Collision Glitches: Issues with the game's collision detection, where characters or objects do not interact with the environment as expected, allowing players to move through walls or floors.
• AI Glitches: Problems with the behavior of non-player characters (NPCs), causing them to act unpredictably, get stuck, or fail to perform their intended actions.
• Gameplay Glitches: Errors that affect the game's mechanics, such as items not functioning correctly, quests not progressing as they should, or events not triggering.

Glitches are often discovered and shared within gaming communities, and while some may be harmless or even amusing, others can be exploited to gain unfair advantages or disrupt the gaming experience. Developers typically release patches or updates to fix known glitches and improve the stability and performance of their games.

Notable examples of this would be the third-floor areas in the Operation Metro and Seine Crossing maps in Battlefield 3: arguments could always be made that these areas were not meant to be accessible, however, these areas are accessible to everyone and players within these areas can still be accessed and killed fairly through the use of regular in-game weapons or artillery.

What are the Key Differences Between Cheats, Exploits, and Glitches?

The key differences between cheating, exploits, and glitches in gaming lie in their nature, intent, and impact on the game. Here's a breakdown of each:

Cheating

• Nature: Cheating involves using methods or tools specifically designed to alter the game's behavior in favor of the player, providing them with advantages not intended by the game developers.
• Intent: The primary intent of cheating is to gain an unfair advantage over other players or to bypass game challenges.
• Examples: Using third-party software like aimbots or wallhacks, entering cheat codes for invincibility, or modifying game files to change gameplay mechanics.
• Impact: Cheating undermines fair play and can severely disrupt the balance of the game, particularly in competitive or multiplayer environments.

Exploits

• Nature: Exploits involve taking advantage of bugs, glitches, or unintended game mechanics to gain an advantage or perform actions not intended by the developers.
• Intent: The intent behind exploits is often to gain an edge over others or to manipulate game mechanics for personal benefit.
• Examples: Using a specific sequence of actions to duplicate items, exploiting a game's physics to bypass obstacles, or taking advantage of an AI flaw to defeat enemies easily.
• Impact: Exploits can compromise the integrity of the game, though they often rely on unintended flaws rather than external tools. They can still disrupt fair play, especially in competitive contexts.

Glitches

• Nature: Glitches are unintended and typically temporary malfunctions or anomalies in the game’s code or behavior.
• Intent: Glitches are not intentional and occur due to errors in the game's design or coding. Players may or may not intentionally use them.
• Examples: Characters clipping through walls, visual anomalies like missing textures, or events not triggering as intended.
• Impact: Glitches can range from harmless and amusing to highly disruptive, affecting gameplay and player progress. When exploited intentionally, glitches can turn into exploits.

Summary of Differences

• Cheating: Deliberate use of external tools or methods to gain an unfair advantage, always intentional.
• Exploits: Intentional use of existing flaws or unintended game mechanics to gain an advantage, relying on the game's own errors.
• Glitches: Unintentional errors or malfunctions in the game, which can be exploited but are not inherently used to gain an advantage.

Understanding these distinctions helps in maintaining fair play and addressing issues in both game development and player conduct.

Defining Boundaries

Given these definitions, it is crucial to establish clear boundaries to avoid misconstruing certain situations as unfair advantages or cheating when they are not.

For instance, players with advanced gaming hardware, such as high-end computers, monitors, or peripherals, may have better visual acuity and faster response times compared to those using less advanced equipment. Similar discrepancies can occur among players using gaming consoles of the same generation, where one player may have a newer model with improved performance. Conversely, inferior hardware can sometimes provide an unexpected advantage; for example, older PCs or consoles with limited draw distances may fail to render certain objects, such as walls or barriers, which can inadvertently benefit the player. Additionally, even with identical hardware, disparities in internet connectivity can lead to significantly different gameplay experiences. Players with faster or more stable connections may have a smoother experience, while those with poorer connections may suffer from issues like rubber-banding, which can disrupt competitive play.

At the New Team of Weapons and Tactics, we recognize these scenarios as part of the inherent variability in online gaming. Such instances are considered outside the scope of cheating. We expect players to understand that these types of discrepancies are a normal part of online gameplay and do not constitute cheating. Our focus remains on ensuring fair play by addressing intentional actions that create unfair advantages, rather than the uncontrollable differences in individual players' hardware or network conditions.

Game Types and Environments

Because our approach to managing cheats and exploits is tailored to the context of gameplay, it is imperative that we clarify the terms that we will use to describe the application of our policies:

Official Statistics Server

This refers to any statistics server that is maintained by the appropriate authority for any particular game or service, responsible for maintaining player entitlement data such as their name, experience points, ranks, and so forth. Examples of this would include the EA Master Servers for most EA/DICE Battlefield titles, or the Social Club and Rockstar Game Services for GTA Online.

Unofficial Statistics Server

This refers to any statistics server that is maintained anyone other than the official authority for any particular game or service, responsible for maintaining player entitlement data such as their name, experience points, ranks, and so forth. Examples of this would include the New Team of Weapons and Tactics master server for legacy EA/DICE titles like Battlefield 2142, or a statistics server operated by a third-party clan on a service such as FiveM.

Official Online Game Setting

This includes gameplay on official servers where players are connected in a regulated environment. Examples are ranked servers in Battlefield, GTA Online, or standard lobbies in GTA IV’s Multiplayer.

Unofficial Online Game Setting

This covers connections in informal settings, such as unranked servers or practice arenas, where the game environment may be modified. Examples include unranked Battlefield servers or modified lobbies in GTA IV's Multiplayer.

Offline or Single-Player Game Setting

Refers to gameplay that occurs in isolation where player actions do not impact others. Notable examples are the single-player campaigns in games like Battlefield 3 or Grand Theft Auto V.

Competitions, Tournaments, Scrimmages

Refers to gameplay that occurs between members of the New Team of Weapons and Tactics and another gaming organization, clan, or crew where players play in regulated environments for competitions, tournaments, or scrimmages ("scrims").

Mods or Spinoffs

These are sessions, servers, or services using first-party or third-party modifications, which might not contribute to official statistic tracking but may record to unofficial servers. Examples include SA-MP, IV-MP, and FiveM.

Pre-Game and Post-Game Periods

These refer to times when a game has not officially started or has already concluded, and statistics are neither recorded nor reported to official servers.

Policies Regarding Cheats, Glitches, and Exploits

As mentioned previously, here at the New Team of Weapons and Tactics, our approach to managing cheats, exploits, and glitches, is tailored to the context of gameplay, ensuring flexibility for personal enjoyment without compromising the integrity of competitive play. Now that we have defined the keywords individually (cheats, glitches, and exploits), boundaries, as well as game types and environments, we can now better describe our broad stance on these actions based on the various environments players may find themselves in.

Competition, Tournaments, and Scrimmages

Cheating, exploiting, or glitching in this type of setting is absolutely forbidden.

Official Online Game Setting

Cheating or exploiting in this environment is strictly prohibited. Additionally, the use of glitches is discouraged, except when they are entirely benign and do not confer any unfair advantages to players. Maintaining a fair and balanced gaming experience is paramount in our community, and any actions that compromise this principle will not be tolerated.

Unofficial Online Game Setting

Cheating, exploiting, or glitching in this type of setting are allowed.

Pre-Game and Post-Game Periods

Cheating, exploiting, or utilizing glitches in this setting is strictly prohibited.

Although these game periods do not typically record statistics to official servers, the introduction of cheats undermines the integrity of the game session. Once a cheat is injected or activated, the player has made a deliberate choice to exploit the game, rendering the session unfair for others. Additionally, it becomes impossible to verify if the cheat has been genuinely disabled. Certain cheats, such as ESP/wallhacks, aimbots, or invincibility features, may automatically activate specific functions that cannot be turned off once initiated. This further exacerbates the issue by ensuring that the unfair advantage persists throughout the session.

Mods or Spinoffs

Cheating, exploiting, or glitching in this type of setting is absolutely forbidden, unless a particular game server or service explicitly allows it.

Offline or Single-Player Game Setting

Cheating, exploiting, or glitching in this type of setting are allowed.

Permitted and Prohibited Glitches and Exploits by Game or Service

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether a glitch or exploit is able to be classified as a serious cheat or harmless action. So, in order to maintain a fair and enjoyable gaming environment, we have found it essential to outline specific guidelines regarding the use of specific glitches and exploits. This section provides a comprehensive list of games, detailing the known glitches and exploits that are explicitly permitted or prohibited. By clearly defining these boundaries, we aim to ensure that all players have a clear understanding of acceptable practices within our community. Adherence to these guidelines is crucial for fostering an equitable and competitive atmosphere for all participants.

Battlefield 3

Wall Glitches

There are specific areas around some maps such as Operation Metro where players can exploit a wall glitch to get out of the usual boundaries of the map and shoot from within walls. These glitches unfairly benefits players inside the walls, as they can sometimes fire out without being vulnerable to shots from the outside. Due to this imbalance and the likelihood that most players are unaware of these bugs, these areas are prohibited in any official online game setting, mod, or spin-off unless explicitly allowed therein.

Enemy Bases and Base Rape

While the enemy bases in this game are marked as out-of-bounds for opposing players, it is technically possible to enter these areas briefly before being penalized. Following a community vote in 2011, it was established that players should avoid these zones and refrain from engaging enemy players within them, as this behavior, known as "base rape," is considered unfair and detrimental to the gaming experience. To maintain a positive and enjoyable environment, players are requested to avoid entering enemy bases and to ensure any incursions are accidental.

3rd Floor Areas in Operation Metro and Seine Crossing

The third-floor areas in maps such as Operation Metro and Seine Crossing have been a point of interest for players since the launch of Battlefield 3. Following a community vote in 2012, these areas have been classified as a harmless glitch. Consequently, players are permitted to access these zones as they do not confer any unfair advantages; players within these areas remain vulnerable and can be eliminated using standard in-game weapons and munitions.

Grand Theft Auto Online (GTA IV)

Cheats (Exploits, Trainers, "Mod Menus", etc) in Non-Modded Lobbies

We are aware that some players inject unofficial cheats, such as exploits, trainers, and "mod menus," in public sessions of Grand Theft Auto IV multiplayer without being separated into official modded lobbies. Some players justify their use of these cheats by claiming they are protecting against malicious cheaters who cause grief or crash games. While we understand the frustration caused by malicious players, the use of such cheats remains problematic. It is impossible to verify whether these cheats are being used solely for protection or to gain unfair advantages, such as invincibility, XP boosts, or undeserved cash. Therefore, the use of any cheats or exploits is strictly prohibited.

Remember, if you have a problem with a specific player who is cheating, we encourage you to please visit our Report Center and file a report against them.

Wall Glitches

There are specific areas around Liberty City, such as at the airport terminal, where players can exploit a wall glitch to get out of the usual boundaries of the map and shoot from within walls. These glitches unfairly benefits players inside the walls, as they can fire out without being vulnerable to shots from the outside. Due to this imbalance and the likelihood that most players are unaware of these bugs, these areas are prohibited in any official online game setting, mod, or spin-off unless explicitly allowed therein.

Grand Theft Auto Online (GTA V)

Cheats (Exploits, Trainers, "Mod Menus", etc) in GTA Online

We are aware that some players inject unofficial cheats, such as exploits, trainers, and "mod menus," in public sessions of Grand Theft Auto Online without being separated into the official cheater pool lobbies. Some players justify their use of these cheats by claiming they are protecting against malicious cheaters who cause grief or crash games. While we understand the frustration caused by malicious players, the use of such cheats remains problematic. It is impossible to verify whether these cheats are being used solely for protection or to gain unfair advantages, such as invincibility, XP boosts, or undeserved cash. Additionally, Rockstar Games explicitly prohibits such activities in their GTA Online terms. Therefore, the use of any cheats or exploits is strictly forbidden.

Remember, if you have a problem with a specific player who is cheating, we encourage you to please visit our Report Center and file a report against them.

General Stance and Code of Conduct Reminder

As a reminder, while the New Team of Weapons and Tactics maintains a more open policy regarding the use of cheats, exploits, and glitches compared to a typical gaming community, it is imperative to uphold our core values of trust, balance, and fairness. Our policy is designed to offer players the freedom to enjoy their games while ensuring that this freedom does not compromise the integrity of our gaming environment.

As members of the New Team of Weapons and Tactics, your actions and behavior within our servers and in public sessions significantly impact the perception of our community. It is important to remember that you represent our team's values and standards in every interaction. Therefore, we ask all players to exercise good judgment, professionalism, and courtesy. While we allow certain freedoms, we encourage players to refrain from engaging in practices that undermine fair play whenever possible.

By adhering to these principles, we can create a positive and respectful gaming environment that reflects the high standards of the New Team of Weapons and Tactics.