Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

Cheat Code Central

Cheat Code Central is a popular video game website primarily known for its extensive list of cheat codes. Cheat Code Central, also known as CCC and CheatCC, offers previews, reviews, news, and various articles on the gaming industry. The site is owned by David Allison and was started May 9, 1997. Cheat Code Central's has news, reviews, previews, and portals for the most popular platforms

Cheat Code Central Platinum

In June 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 2005, after which all of the site's content became free again.

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.

Comics

In May 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. After 37 strips the comics have been placed on hiatus, with an unclear resume date.

Podcast

June 2007 marked the beginning of CheatCC's official podcast dubbed C4 Podcast. C4 means Cheat Code Central Crew.

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 only a year.

Cheat Code Central Game Trade

Early 2007, Cheat Code Central began a Game Trade service on their website. The service allows any registered member to trade their used games for purchase points towards new game titles.

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".

Freelance contributions

Cheat Code Central posts exclusive content written by numerous freelance writers. Writers are paid on a per article basis, though they are required to write a minimum amount of trial articles for free in order to prove their skills.

Staff

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.

Previous staff members

Lindsay A. was the Editor until May 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 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 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.

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 did not request it. Conflicts were set in court; however, public opinion continues to comment on the issues up until today.