10 Things Developers Didn’t Think Gamers Would Try

Gamers are known for pushing boundaries, exploring every nook and cranny of a game world, and trying things developers never imagined. The creative ways players exploit mechanics can lead to surprising discoveries, often revealing unintended gameplay possibilities. Let’s dive into ten moments when developers didn’t anticipate what gamers would do, showcasing the imaginative (and sometimes absurd) side of gaming.

10. Skyrim’s Bucket Flying

In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the humble bucket transcends its mundane purpose. While it’s known for comedic uses—like being placed on NPCs’ heads to rob them blind—players discovered it could also be a makeshift flying device. By carefully positioning and standing on a bucket with a handle, and holding the interact button, players can soar into the skies. It’s clunky but works across most game versions, including the Anniversary Edition. Sure, console commands can achieve the same, but nothing beats the satisfaction of DIY flight.

9. Dead Space Remake: Line Gun Laser Trick

In the Dead Space remake, the line gun’s secondary fire creates a stationary laser trap. However, if combined with Kinesis to hold a throwable object, players can create a devastating mobile three-beam laser. This trick trivializes even the hardest difficulty levels, allowing players to clear rooms effortlessly. Just be cautious—the laser is as dangerous to you as it is to enemies. This exploit exemplifies how experimenting with game mechanics can lead to wildly overpowered results.

8. Salvador’s Infinite Damage Exploit (Borderlands 2)

In Borderlands 2, Salvador’s dual-wielding ability is already strong, but players discovered a glitch that turns him into an unstoppable force. By equipping a high-damage rocket launcher in one hand and a weapon with projectiles in the other, the game calculates damage using the rocket launcher’s values. The result? A bullet-spewing weapon with rocket launcher damage, capable of obliterating bosses in seconds. It’s game-breaking but requires specific weapons and a lot of grinding to pull off.

7. Sphere Jumping in Palworld

Palworld, often likened to Pokémon, allows players to capture creatures with spheres. But if you climb on a sphere mid-capture, it catapults you hundreds of feet into the air. While probably unintentional, this trick is a surprisingly effective way to explore the game world. Imagine Ash Ketchum riding a Poké Ball into the stratosphere—it’s as chaotic as it sounds.

6. Metal Gear Solid 3: The Overpowered Box

The iconic cardboard box in Metal Gear Solid 3 might seem like a gimmick, but it’s actually a speedrunner’s dream. When equipped, Snake can sprint up slopes without losing speed and even evade enemy detection with absurd ease. Guards who spot the box won’t sound the alarm but will investigate, allowing Snake to dash away unnoticed. The secret? Be bold and keep moving—the faster and closer you are, the better this “stealth” tool works.

5. Punching Merchants in Skyrim

Tired of waiting for Skyrim merchants to restock their gold or inventory? Players discovered that punching them (followed by reloading a quick save) resets their inventory. This peculiar mechanic occurs because loading a save refreshes NPC states, allowing players to bypass in-game timers. It’s oddly therapeutic and surprisingly efficient—just remember to save before throwing the punch!

4. Instant Car Repair in GTA V

In Grand Theft Auto V, a smashed car can be instantly repaired without visiting a garage. Simply switch to another character, then switch back, and voilà—your car is good as new (except for minor imperfections like broken windows). This exploit saves time and highlights the game’s memory management quirks. While not usable during missions, it’s a handy trick for the open world.

3. Bloodborne’s Chalice Dungeon Exploits

The Bloodborne Chalice Dungeons, designed for randomized exploration, hide secrets that players have exploited for massive rewards. By entering a specific dungeon glyph (cmmmfpk), players gain access to an area where a high-level NPC repeatedly dies under a pendulum trap, granting massive amounts of blood echoes (the game’s currency and XP). Just stand still, collect echoes, and repeat. This glitch lets players level up or stockpile resources without lifting a finger.

2. Stardew Valley’s Item Code Name Hack

In Stardew Valley, naming your character, animals, or even tools after specific item codes spawns those items whenever the name is mentioned. For example, naming your character [74] (the code for a Prismatic Shard) ensures you’ll receive one every time an NPC says your name. It’s a cheeky exploit that the developer noticed but left intact, likely appreciating the creativity of players who resort to such tactics.

1. The Simpsons Hit & Run: Carl Skip

In The Simpsons: Hit & Run, speedrunners discovered the “Carl Skip,” a shortcut during Mission 7 of Chapter 1. By pushing Carl (the NPC) into the nuclear plant and starting the mission there, players bypass locked doors and cut significant travel time. For an even greater challenge, the “Carl Skip Skip” allows players to bypass the skip itself. These exploits, while niche, showcase the ingenuity of the speedrunning community.

Conclusion

From Skyrim’s flying buckets to GTA V’s magical car repairs, these exploits reflect the boundless creativity of gamers. Developers often unintentionally leave doors open for players to experiment, creating moments of joy, hilarity, and sometimes outright chaos. Have you tried any of these tricks, or do you know of others? Share your stories—after all, the fun of gaming lies in pushing boundaries!