While a cheater uses external code to break a game, a Sidgamer uses the game’s own logic against itself. This includes:
| Play Style | Primary Goal | Relationship with Rules | Example | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Win / Optimize | Exploits loopholes for advantage | Only using the meta weapon in Call of Duty . | | Roleplaying | Immersion / Character | Follows the spirit of the rules | Walking, never running, in a city because your character is dignified. | | Speedrunning | Finish fastest | Exploits glitches for time | Clipping through a wall to skip a level. | | Sidgaming | Create chaos / test limits | Respects the rules but ignores the goals | Spending 100 hours organizing a library in Fallout 4 by hand. | sidgaming
As games become increasingly streamlined, hand-held, and goal-oriented (thanks to AI-driven tutorials and "optimal path" algorithms), Sidgaming serves as a vital act of rebellion. It reminds us that the original purpose of play was not to win, but to play . While a cheater uses external code to break