Cheat Code Central
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Cheat Code Central is a video game website primarily known for its extensive list of cheat codes. Cheat Code Central, also known as CCC, offers previews, reviews, news, and various articles on the gaming industry. The site is owned by David Allison and was started May 9th, 1997. It is currently the largest privately-owned videogame website, the most popular cheat code website, and the third most visited video game website in the world, boasting an average of over 250,000 visits per day and over 5-6 million per month (2.5-3 million unique visits).
[edit] Main Page
Cheat Code Central’s main page has links to the latest news, reviews, previews, and portals for the following platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Nintendo Wii, PC, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PSOne, Nintendo 64, Game Boy, Dreamcast, and DVDs. There are also tabs that link to the latest reviews, previews, news, and top cheats, along with a daily poll. A flash screen at the top of the page showcases some of the newest reviews and previews available.
[edit] History
Cheat Code Central started in 1997 as a side hobby of David Allison. It was initially a website on Geocities, but after traffic increased, Allison moved the website to Simplenet.com because of the need for increased bandwidth.
In October 1998, the website purchased its own domain name, moving to cheatcc.com, where it remains to the present. Because of the continued growth, Allison made the website his primary job and hired a team of dedicated staffers to continue to grow the website. Allison is still the independent owner of the website today.
Although initially the website focused on cheat codes, tips, and strategy guides, they began expanding their content. The first addition was a limited reviews section that launched in 1999, to finally including previews, screenshots, interviews, comics, daily news, and feature articles. As the popularity of the reviews and previews has grown, CheatCC has met the demand by continuing to expand its reach and review most titles that come to the US market.
Cheat Code Central also has a smaller sister site named Go Go Cheat Codes (www.gogocheatcodes.com). The website also licenses some of its cheat code content to other websites, including Yahoo and AOL.
[edit] Cheat Code Central Platinum
In June of 2001, the website began an exclusive paid membership area to the website entitled Cheat Code Central Platinum. Perks for membership to CCCP included access to the website without any ads, timed exclusive codes, and exclusive previews and reviews.
Cheat Code Central Platinum lasted until June of 2005, after which all of the site’s content became free again.
[edit] Site Revamp
Cheat Code Central underwent a minor site redesign in June 2005. New features added to the site included daily polls, daily news, previews, and a reduction in ads on the site. Another site redesign occurred in August 2006, with the major changes including an aesthetic overhaul and an easier interface for site navigation.
[edit] Reviews and Rating System
CheatCC previews and reviews the newest games entering the video game market.
Cheat Code Central reviews games on a 5 point scale.
| Score Range | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1.0 - 1.9 | Avoid |
| 2.0 - 2.4 | Poor |
| 2.5 - 2.9 | Average |
| 3.0 - 3.4 | Fair |
| 3.5 - 3.9 | Good |
| 4.0 - 4.4 | Great |
| 4.5 - 4.9 | Must Buy |
| 5.0 | The Best |
The overall score of the game is based on graphics, controls, music, sound fx, voice acting, and play value.
[edit] The News
Each weekday, Cheat Code Central updates readers with a selection of the latest news from the video game world. The news section of the website also displays a weekly feature called “Are You Dumb Enough to Believe This?’ which is a fake and funny news post.
[edit] The Comics
In May of 2007, CheatCC began releasing a weekly comic strip done by Matthew Walker. The title of the comics, Console Crash Comics, was to symbolize the three Cs of CheatCC and loosely mention the wars between the consoles – Xbox 360, PS3, and the Wii. Initially there were only a few characters that represented the current systems on the market, Xavier Boxley, Paul Stewart the 3rd, Nanami and Nitedo (common referred to as the twins,) while Chad and Cici represented the CCC website. As time progressed, other characters joined the cast as regulars, including Peter Clemons, Paulie Stewart, Paulette, and Donnie.
The comics also evolved into a story-based heavy strip. With the beginning of the more story-oriented strips, the art style was revamped to create a more obvious anime-influenced look. At the beginning of the second season of the comics (this was done to show a definite split between the two different styles) a mysterious villain plagued the shadows ready to strike against the heroes of the consoles. However, his identity was not revealed, although strip writer and creator Matt Walker stated that the villain “will become clear soon, as well as the cliffhanger ending to the most recent comics”. After 37 strips the comics have been placed on hiatus, with an unclear resume date.
[edit] The Podcast
June 2007 marked the beginning of CheatCC’s official podcast dubbed C4 Podcast. C4 means Cheat Code Central Crew. Over a few months of planning, the brainchild of site freelancer Adam Brown and CCC’s Project Coordinator Matthew Walker gave shape to the podcast and made it a reality. After a few trial and error runs, the full C4 crew was decided upon. D’Marcus Beatty would be the podcast moderator, joined by Walker, Brown, as well as Amanda Kondolojy. Each week the crew would talk about the major events happening in the videogame industry, including the news, game previews, and reviews. There is also a roundtable, which appears to be a forum where the group discusses a topic in an informal manner.
Towards the middle of July, another segment was added to the show to showcase some worthy news from the Japan shores. This segment, entitled Import Minute, is written and vocalized by Kondolojy. The podcast’s popularity has only continued to grow since its inception on the site. It is available for download on the main website as well as iTunes, Digg.com, and the RSS feed from the site.
September 2007 marks the beginning of the C4 Podcast reaching out to other audiences, with the inclusion of small segments devoted to movie-related news, as well as comic book world news and manga.
In October of 2007 the C4 crew downsized to just three members: Walker, Brown, and Kondolojy. As of right now, the podcast continues to be recorded and posted every two weeks.
The podcast includes the following sections.
- Roundtable- The participants discuss a selected topic in gaming and discuss. Some past topics have included the Grand Theft Auto IV delay, the state of the console wars, and E3 07.
- Information Download- The C4 team discusses news about the gaming industry. A single person announces the news and the team offers commentary.
- Gamespeak- This section is essentially the previews and reviews section. The C4 team previews upcoming titles and/or talks about recently released games.
- Import Minute- Amanda Kondolojy discusses overseas releases from Japan in this brief segment.
- Closing- The host reads any emails the podcast has received and closes the podcast.
[edit] The Magazine
In July 2006, Beckett Media began running a spotlight series based on Cheat Code Central’s extensive site content. The magazine, entitled Beckett Cheat Codes Powered by Cheat Code Central, featured some of the website’s more popular cheat codes along with some of their reviews, previews, and special features. The bimonthly publication ran for a year, becoming one of Beckett’s most popular spotlight magazines to date.
[edit] Cheat Code Central Game Trade
Early 2007, Cheat Code Central began a Game Trade service on their website. The service, powered by SaySwap.com, allows any registered member to trade their used games for purchase points towards new game titles. Currently, the service supports trades through PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, DS, and PSP games. It doesn’t support PC trades at this time.
[edit] Cheat Code Central E-Mail
Cheat Code Central offers a free e-mail service powered by everyone.net. Anyone can have an e-mail address with the extension “@cheatcc.com”
[edit] The Message Boards
Cheat Code Central has had its own Message Boards during several years. People have been visiting this section daily to socialize with other website readers and comment on games and other life matters. CheatCC stopped managing The Message Boards when former Site Director Vaughn Smith left. Dedicated members like Cdogg, the savage, Reverend Shadows, etc. were the administrators. Ace14, MidNite Runner, and Unreal_Arbitrer_ were the latest known forum moderators. On June 10, 2008 Cheat Code Central put the forums on hiatus due to spamming problems. Cheat Code Central plans to redesign the Message Boards and re-launch them in the near future, making them a more integral part of the site.
[edit] Freelance Contributions
Cheat Code Central posts exclusive content written by numerous freelance writers. Writers are paid on a per article basis, though they’re required to write a minimum amount of trial articles for free in order to prove their skills.
[edit] The Team
Cheat Code Central is still independently owned by David Allison. A small staff helps to run this large game website.
Maria Montoro is now the Site Director. She oversees the freelance staff, gives assignments, keeps in touch with PRs, creates special sections, and posts the newest reviews, previews, and special features. She also reviews games every now and then.
Jonathan Marx is the Editor. He edits the review and preview content as well as other special articles that appear on the website. He also reviews and previews games on a daily basis, writes all the game news, and updates the polls.
Matthew Walker, the site’s Project Coordinator, helps with daily updates, content posting, and keeping an eye on the release dates. He also prepares and edits the podcast, writes some reviews and previews and used to draw the site’s Console Crash Comics.
Nathan Meunier also helps with daily updates and content posting. He writes numerous reviews and previews and also has a weekly column about retro games, which is accompanied by his very own pixel art.
In addition, CCC has a small staff of freelance reviewers like Adam Brown, Cole Smith, Amanda Kondolojy, Joseph Catalanotto, Jason Lauritzen, etc.
[edit] Previous Staff Members
Lindsay A. was the Editor until May of 2008. She edited all the review and preview content daily.
D’Marcus Beatty shared the task of Co-Site Director with Maria Montoro until October of 2007. His main duty was to manage the freelance staff, prepare and produce new content, and update the daily polls and news.
Vaughn Smith was Site Director until December of 2006. He was in charge of updating the site daily, in addition to contributing with his own articles and comics. He also managed the CCC forums.
[edit] Controversies
Cheat Code Central has been around for over ten years, but not without problems and controversies. Some companies have retrieved cheat codes from the website and posted them in their own sites and publications. The website was also accused of posting strategy guides from individuals who didn't request it. Conflicts were set in court. However, public opinion continues to comment on the issues up until today.
[edit] References
- 2 Q1Media
