God mode
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In some video games, god mode is a state wherein the player character is invulnerable to damage. It is typically activated by entering a cheat code. The term may also be used when the CPU opponent, mostly in sports games, goes into a "god-like" state, deliberately altering the probabilities and mechanics of gameplay in its favour.
The term originated in Moria and was popularized by the games of id Software in the 1990s. The name is derived from the command traditionally used to activate it: typing "GOD" in the game's command console. In earlier games, such as Doom, one must simply enter a code during game play - in the case of Doom, this code became famous - IDDQD. Other effects may be activated by using the cheat, for example unlimited ammunition or the ability to fly. The cheat is commonplace, particularly in action-oriented first-person shooters such as Quake or Half-Life.
The early shooter Rise of the Triad used a literal God Mode as a power-up: the player begins making "Godly" noises, becomes ten feet tall, and can disintegrate enemies with homing "Godfire" shot from his or her hand. They also developed the first well-known mock of God Mode, named Dog Mode, where the player becomes two feet tall, furry, and utilize tackles and barks to take down opponents, all the while remaining just as invincible as the player would be while in God Mode.
Another variation of god mode prevents the player from reaching a health point below 1, and has been dubbed "Buddha mode" in Source engine-based titles such as Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines and Half-Life 2.
God modes (and other similar modes) often originate as a means by which developers test games. If a new feature is implemented in a game but requires play to determine whether it works, it saves time if a developer can quickly reach the relevant portion of the game by avoiding death or by "flying" over time-consuming regions of the game environment. This source of God modes often manifests itself in the route by which players activate these modes - for example, running a game with a development mode flag.
Use of god mode or other cheats is frowned upon in multiplayer gaming. Most cheats are disabled in most multiplayer games by default. However, in some games, cheats are integrated into the gameplay. Dedicated game servers running certain tools (such as "AMX" or "Admin" mod for Half-Life) allow the administrators of the server to grant and revoke god mode or other abilities. Another command, called "roll the dice", is used to randomly give an effect (good or bad) to the player using it (he is rolling his dice, so to speak). God mode is usually in the list of possibilities.
Frequently, god modes do not provide full invulnerability; for instance, being immune to enemy attack frequently does not protect a player if they were to fall into a pit, and in Duke Nukem 3D, God mode does not prevent Duke from dying instantly if noclip mode is activated and he walks outside the programmed area. Also, God mode may automatically deactivate after one level, or after a set extended gameplay period.