Behaviors That Gamers Consider "Cardinal Sins"

Over the years, as we've all experienced video games in different ways, we’ve encountered—or perhaps even committed—certain behaviors that evoke feelings of weakness, cheating, or unfairness. These actions aren't limited to multiplayer games; even in single-player experiences, there are habits or approaches that may draw harsh judgment from fellow gamers. At one point or another, we've probably found ourselves on one side of this equation. Let’s explore a few of these "sins."



Camping and Hiding

Anyone who has played online shooters—especially first-person shooters—has likely developed a dislike for “campers.” And yet, it's likely we’ve all camped at least once. Generally, "camping" refers to staying hidden in one spot, waiting to ambush passing players for easy kills. While it’s common in games like Call of Duty, that doesn’t mean it's acceptable in all titles.

In more tactical games like Tarkov, Hunt Showdown, or Rainbow Six Siege, "positioning" is a vital skill. Camping in these games can be a strategic choice based on map knowledge and situational awareness. Players are expected to understand the environment and interact using audio cues and tools to overcome each other tactically.

But in more arcade-like FPS games with fast-paced movement and respawn mechanics, there’s often no valid reason to sit still. Doing so is usually seen as an unfair method of farming kills, lacking skill or effort. That’s why “camping” has become one of the most hated and frustrating behaviors in the online gaming community.



Min-Maxing in RPGs

If you're into RPGs or JRPGs, you know that character customization and power progression are essential to the experience. These elements are closely tied to the narrative, level systems, game difficulty, and overall immersion. Some players, however, obsess over optimizing their characters from the start, often using community-discovered META builds.

Rather than experimenting and growing naturally, these players immediately seek out the most powerful builds—sometimes making their characters overpowered and disrupting the game’s intended difficulty. For instance, in Elden Ring, a quick online search yields several META builds that trivialize the game, removing strategic depth and personal creativity from the equation.

While this approach might make sense in subsequent playthroughs, many RPG fans frown upon using it the first time. It strips away the essence of the adventure and the thrill of personal discovery. The consensus in the RPG community: don't rob yourself of a genuine experience—play naturally the first time.



Skipping Dialogues and Cutscenes

This behavior started around the sixth console generation when storytelling in games became more prominent. While many gamers used to play just for the gameplay, longer cutscenes and dialogues began emerging in narrative-driven titles.

Initially, many players would skip these sequences, but over time it became clear that doing so meant missing crucial parts of the story and the game world. These scenes are not just cinematic fluff—they often hold vital narrative weight and are the result of years of developer effort.

In today’s gaming landscape, skipping major cutscenes—especially in deeply story-driven games like Red Dead Redemption 2—is often viewed as disrespectful to the game and its creators. Some fans even argue that if you’re not interested in the story, maybe that kind of game isn’t for you.



Spoiling Game Stories

Related to the previous point, spoiling a game’s plot—especially on purpose—is widely condemned. Some gamers take twisted pleasure in ruining the experience for others. While some games may not heavily rely on plot, others do. In those cases, a single sentence can spoil hours of buildup and drastically reduce a game's impact.

A notorious example was The Last of Us Part II, where a major spoiler was leaked before release, upsetting many fans and even discouraging some from playing the game entirely. In story-heavy games, especially those with choices and plot twists (like Telltale or Quantic Dream titles), spoilers are more damaging than ever. That’s why those who spread them are often harshly criticized in the gaming community.



Spamming Moves in Fighting Games

Fighting games are skill-based experiences, much like martial arts. They require training, mastery of systems, and character knowledge. Developers have tried to make them more accessible for casual players, but this has opened the door to some abuse.

Some players rely solely on one or two moves or combos, repeatedly using them without variation. This is known as “spamming.” It ruins the depth of gameplay and forces skilled players to abandon strategy and focus solely on countering repetitive attacks.

For instance, in Tekken 7, the character Lucky Chloe was notorious because many players spammed a single easy combo. Tekken 8 introduced single-button combos for beginners, which also led to spamming. While seasoned players can usually overcome it, they’re often forced to abandon their skills for simpler tactics. For those who dedicate time to mastering fighting games, spamming is an insult to both the game and the opponent—like dancing with someone who constantly steps on your feet.



The Smurfing Phenomenon in Online Games

Smurfing is when high-level players create new accounts to compete against lower-ranked players. It’s one of the most frustrating issues in competitive online games. Not only does it reflect poorly on the smurfer’s character, but it also ruins fair play for newcomers trying to learn and improve.

Smurfing disrupts matchmaking balance and can singlehandedly ruin a match. Even the smurfer’s own team suffers, as these players often act selfishly and ignore team strategy. In tactical games like Rainbow Six Siege, where teamwork is crucial, smurfing can destroy team harmony.

Worse still, smurfers often insult or blame their less-skilled teammates, further demoralizing them and pushing them to quit the game altogether. It’s a toxic practice that benefits no one and is strongly condemned by the gaming community.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored several behaviors that are considered “sins” in the gaming world. Each one, in its own way, can ruin the experience for others—whether by undermining game design, spoiling story immersion, or creating unfair advantages. While some may affect individual experiences, others damage the broader multiplayer environment. That’s why these behaviors are widely disliked and, in many circles, simply unacceptable.