Do You Cheat Playing Video Games? You’re In Good Company

Do you love to relax by playing mobile and video games? Generally, there are so many different categories that gamers are into nowadays. However, many people are cheating video games to gain a competitive advantage. Are you one of them? If so, you’re in good company.

The folks at ReplayPoker.com recently looked at Google stats to check up on Americans who are cheating video games. Basically, they counted searches for terms like “hacks,” “cheats” and “mods.” In fact, they analyzed data for 200 search terms to determine if Americans were cheating mobile and video games. Additionally, they wanted to find out which state’s residents cheat the most.

Considering all the data, if you like to cheat, you’re in good company. Nevada ranks fourth in this study. Specifically, the stats show about “265 monthly cheat-related searches per 100k people” in The Silver State. Obviously, we believe “if we ain’t cheatin’, we ain’t tryin!’”

Furthermore, the ReplayPoker.com study goes on to specify the games on which we Nevadans are more likely to cheat. The most searches were for “Sims 4 Mods” and “Wordle cheats.” I try to play “Wordle” every day. However, I don’t compete against other players, so I have no reason to cheat. Apparently, those who do play competitively in Nevada have no problem cheating to get the upper hand.

So, which other states join Nevada in the top 5? Accordingly, the state of Washington has the most people cheating video games. They average 281 searches each month. Obviously, there’s something in the water up there in the Pacific northwest, because Oregon places second, and Alaska places third. What’s going on up there? North Dakota rounds out the top five in fifth place.

The most honest state according to ReplayPoker.com is Mississippi. Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Alabama are all honest when it comes to video game hacks too.

Furthermore, as a nation, these are the mobile and video games Americans cheat the most. In general, it’s “Sims 4” followed by “Wordle.” Per the press release by Chloe Rayson: “Other titles that see a higher proportion of crafty players include 2023’s “Starfield” and “Hogwart’s Legacy,” as well as “Little Alchemy,” and “Fallout 4.”

Do you have any favorite 2D video games? Is Sonic the Hedgehog one of them? If so, then join the legions of Nevadans and Americans who share your passion for that little blue speedster.

Of course, everyone has a favorite video game they love playing on their phone, laptop, or desktop computer. So, the question becomes: How to determine America’s favorites? Well, the good people at Indivisible Gaming began checking out the number of Google searches for video games. They compiled the numbers and what they found may surprise gaming aficionados.

Overall, it seems that Americans tend to prefer the “classic” video games which originate in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Basically, these are video games that were developed on 2D software. So, even though gaming technology has improved and expanded exponentially over the past three or four decades, 2D games still rule.

I must admit, at the present time, I don’t do too much gaming. However, that may change when retirement age rolls around. I tend to prefer puzzle games at this point. Of course, that may also change when I have more free time.

As a matter of fact, there are plenty of video game genres to choose from nowadays. First, there are “sandbox” games where you must complete tasks. Second, there are military, shooter, and battle arena games which are very popular. Third, more and more people are into role-playing games and simulation games where you insert yourself into the action. Furthermore, some folks are into action-adventure games, or the survival and horror genres. Check out this comprehensive article by Dwight Pavlovic on HP.com which gets into more details about video game genres.

So, what about Sonic the Hedgehog? That game falls into the “platformer” genre of 2D video games along with classics like Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. Now, let’s check out America’s top five video games receiving the most Google searches over the past year.

This iconic platform game by Nintendo originated in the mid-1980's and has sold more than 58 million copies thus far. It's one of the best-selling video games in history. Over the past year, Super Mario Bros. averaged more than 134,000 Google searches per month.

https://mario.nintendo.com/

Here's a more recent music platforming game which was created back in 2013 in Sweden. This is the fourth most popular 2D video game in the Indivisible Gaming survey, averaging over 139,000 monthly searches. Even though it wasn't the most popular game search in any particular state, it still made the top five.

https://geometrydash.io/

Here's one of the most addicting puzzle video games ever created. A Soviet software engineer in Russia developed Tetris in 1985, and although it wasn't released in the U.S. until 1988, it quickly became one of the best-selling video games in history. With an average of over 364,000 monthly searches, it ranks in the top three in this Indivisible Gaming study. It was the most searched 2D video game in 19 states including California and New York.

https://tetris.com/

This is the oldest 2D video game in the top five of this Indivisible Gaming report. Created in 1980, Pac-Man is one of the best-selling games of all time, and also one of the highest grossing products. As of 2016, it's made parent company Bandi Namco Entertainment over $14 billion bucks in gross revenues! Not only that, there was an early 1980's hit song by Buckner & Garcia titled "Pac-Man Fever." This iconic maze action game garnered over 710,000 monthly searches to rank second. Pac-Man was the most searched video game in six states including Florida and Arizona.

https://www.pacman.com/en/

Here's the top performing 2D video game in this Indivisible Gaming research study, pulling in an average of over 767,000 Google searches each month. Amazing! It was the most-searched video game in 24 states around the country including Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and of course, right here in Nevada. This iconic platform 2D video game was created in 1991 in Japan and has since spawned a popular media franchise as well. Sonic the Hedgehog is considered a great example of 1990's video gaming culture and it is the flagship franchise for Sega Genesis.

https://www.sonicthehedgehog.com/

Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

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