[vorpalhex]

I genuinely don't understand the pull of cheating in a competitive game. The whole goal is that it's a contest of skill and wits, and the "prize" is simply the emotional gratification and internet points (and when you win by cheating you remove those prizes.)

Cheating makes sense in gambling where money is at play, but your fortnight level/win-loss/etc doesn't equate to anything of value.

[p3llin0r3]

What other people think of you is also an enticing reward. Getting to platinum rank by cheating has advantages.

Additionally, you earn cosmetic items, and you can earn them at a faster rate with less effort by winning consistently.

Finally, some people simply enjoy winning, and only turn their cheats on for a "comeback."

An additional issue is people running bots that passively and extremely poorly play the game, but just active enough to not sound any alarms. They grind out a bunch of ranks by losing constantly, get some good equipment built up, and then sell them.

[plopz]

> and when you win by cheating you remove those prizes

I don't think you do. When you win while cheating it doesn't just suddenly feel meaningless, it still feels like winning.

[adrianN]

Unless you are (or aspire to become) a popular streamer.