Not the Way It Is Meant to Be Played

Some people will take a Video Game and do everything you can possibly imagine with it... Except playing it as they were supposed to.

This is an index of the numerous ways the player community cleverly turns games on their heads, oftentimes much for the creators' dismay. Over time, many of these subversions get acknowledged, expected, encouraged and finally assimilated into new games, becoming part of standard gameplay.

Compare Metagame, which is less about the technical aspects of the game and more about the psychological, cultural and/or competitive (if any) aspects of it.

Related to Unexpected Reactions to This Index. See also Error Index for unintended things that happens against the players' will.

The entry name is based on a popular GPU manufacturer's slogan.

This is just a page listing the tropes. Please put examples into their proper pages.


 * Game Mod: Making changes to the original game, or employing its engine to derive new works.
 * Gameplay Derailment: Using the gameplay mechanics a certain way so far that the game is now constantly played like that instead of how the developer envisioned.
 * Good Bad Bugs: A bug or glitch that actually improves a game to the point it becomes quite something else.
 * Not the Intended Use: When the player managed to find an alternate use for certain skills or mechanics the developers didn't expect.
 * Self-Imposed Challenge: If you are already extremely good and utterly bored with the game, it might give you that taste of fresh air.
 * Sequence Breaking: Finding a way to do things in a different order than the game wanted you to do, or skip them entirely.
 * Video Game Cheats: The most Egregious manifestation. Putting in place a different set of rules that change the game, usually to your advantage.
 * Video Game Caring Potential: When the game is filled with lovable characters or polished AI programming, it's easy to put out the best in you, even when it's not necessary for winning or "built into gameplay".
 * Video Game Cruelty Potential: When the game's filled with unlikable characters or stupid computer-controlled allies, it's easy to unleash your worst instincts, even when it's not necessary for winning or "built into gameplay".