"Dragon Age Origins": Hints, Tips, and Cheats
How to Cheat in Dragon Age
While some will argue that Dragon Age isn't that difficult, there are some people (myself included) who find cheats really useful. Perhaps there's one battle you can't quite do, or you simply don't have the patience—whatever it is, using cheats can often ensure that you get the most out of a game, and simply don't give up.
There are plenty of walkthroughs available on the web, and also some very good official guides, however, most of us just want the ability to perhaps level up quickly, get a little extra gold or simply become immortal for a few minutes. The Dragon Age codes below will help most players to complete the game.
I would suggest that you use the codes below sparingly; you'll definitely enjoy the game more if you actually have to work a little to achieve the next level—only use the codes when you are stuck and unable to progress further in the game.
Gold Farming Cheat
Find .Exe File, Right-Click and Create Desktop Icon
Right Click on Desktop Icon
Dragon Age Cheat Console
The cheats listed here are for the PC version of the game. Additionally, they are not for the "streamable" version—they do work on the digitally downloadable version. Please note that if you update or patch the game, these cheats may not work, or the files may become corrupted. I take no responsibility for any broken save files!
*NEWS FLASH: some of the cheats below also work with the new expansion Dragon Age: Awakenings. The best thing to do is to try them out and see if they work.*
1. Amend daorigins.exe shortcut
(this will not work on the fileDAOriginsLauncher.exe)
- Make a shortcut to the file daorigins.exe – this should be saved in the folder “C:\Program Files\Dragon Age\bin_ship” but depending on the OS, or your initial setup could be in a different folder (try looking in the Program File (x86) folder). You can use Windows search to find daorigins.exe
- Right click on the shortcut and add -enabledeveloperconsole to the end of the target. (IMPORTANT - the minus sign must be included otherwise this will not work!)
It should look something like:
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daorigins.exe” -enabledeveloperconsole
Or
“C:\Program Files\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daorigins.exe” -enabledeveloperconsole
Note:
If you have the quotes around the ‘daorigins.exe’ the –enable… must be placed after the quotes.
2. Edit keybinding.ini
(This file controls much of what happens in the game, so be very careful when editing.)
- Find the file keybindings.ini (usually in the folder “My Documents\BioWare\Dragon Age\Settings\” – if not do a search for the file), right click and select edit.
- Find the line:
OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_Grave" or something similar.
and change it to
OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_Z" (Z is the key I used as it's not used by the game).
Note:
DO NOT DO THIS ON WINDOWS 7 - when activating the cheat use the key with the ~ on it. Do not use [shift].
3. Cheat
Load your saved game and press "Z" or the key you chose. A console will now be available, although you cannot see it and cannot see what you type.
Use the following codes:
- runscript addxp X - Adds XP in the amount of X
- runscript zz_money X - Adds copper in the amount of X – note to gain a gold piece you have to add 1000 copper pieces.
- runscript pc_immortal - Infinite health – you still lose health but won’t drop below 0 – you must do this on each character in the party if you want them all to be ‘immortal’.
- runscript zz_addparty NPCname - Add party member by name
- runscript ai off - Turns off AI – if you don’t use the immortality cheat then this is probably the most useful.
- runscript selectparty - loads the party selection screen.
- runscript chargen - Origin screen
- runscript killallhostiles - Kill all enemies
- runscript zz_addapproval X Y - Add approval to a character - I may be wrong but it seems that you have to have the relevant character in your party for this to work.
- runscript zz_addparty - Add player beyond party limit
- runscript healplayer - Heal party
- runscript bowlingforferelden - Knocks back enemies and adds a shield
- runscript zz_dropparty - Removes entire party
- runscript zz_talk_nearest - Talk to nearest NPC
- runscript zz_pre_strategy - Teleport party to Duncan's fire in Ostagar
- runscript zz_pre_demo2 - Teleport party to Ostagar
- runscript wizard - Become a Level 2 Mage
- runscript rogue - Become a level 2 Rogue
- runscript warrior - Become a Level 2 Warrior
- runscript addtalent X - Add talent or spell, where X represents a specific talent or spell (1-?).
- runscript removetalent X - Removes a talent
Character Codes for use in above cheats where applicable:
- 1 - Alistair
- 3 - Morrigan
- 5 - Shale
- 6 - Sten
- 7 - Zevran
- 9 - Eiliana
Talent Codes for use in above cheats where applicable:
- 1 - Shield Pummell
- 3 - Critical Strike
- 4 - Sunder Armor
- 7 - Punisher
- 9 - Riposte
- 10 - Cripple
- 11 - Dual Striking
- 12 - Shield Wall
- 13 - Shield Cover
- 19 - Precise Striking
- 20 - Perfect Striking
- 25 - Holy Smite
- 28 - Imdomitable
- 33 - Defensive Fire
- 38 - Assault
Note:
Be careful using some of these codes. For example, with the command "killallhostile," if you use this, you may cut out some of the plot points. In some cases, it is possible to negotiate with a "hostile" and gain further information, and killing the "hostile" stops this plotline.
Other Cheats
Aside from the above cheats, there are a few glitches that can be exploited to help you out on your quest. Searching the web, these are the ones I have found so far. Please note I have not verified if these work! There are others available in the websites I list at the bottom, but the two below appealed to me the most!
Level Up
In Ostaragar you are given a quest to collect three vials of Darkspawn Blood and the Grey Warden Treaties. However, if you simply collect the blood and don’t collect the treaties, you can talk to Duncan and chose the option “We have the blood, but not the scrolls”—you’ll get experience and then be able to repeat the conversation—keep on doing this until you reach the level cap of 25! Note: This allows you to level up your main character and Alistair only.
Unlock Specializations
There are many books available for purchase that allow you to unlock Specializations. A simple way to unlock them is to save the game prior to buying the book; buy the book and unlock the specialization; reload your game, and the specialization should still be unlocked.
Have Fun, but Be Mindful
To get the best of this game I suggest that you use strategy and play all the miniquests so that you get the highest level characters that you can. However, I do realize that the game is very difficult and less patient players will resort to cheat codes to enable them to finish, hence this section! Do remember that using these codes can reduce the pleasure of finishing the game!
It is fairly easy to cheat in Dragon Age, however, you do have to alter a file so I advise that you make a backup copy of your save files. It’s possible that you could corrupt your game and have to restart or re-install.
Related
Comments
Hi, can you explain to me how the add party cheat works, cause i don't get it, i use it and nothing happens... (im trying to have a fith member in my party, but i cant, cause it doesn't work, the cheat)
- AUTHOR
EHL: I'll have to research this - but I suspect that there are some administrative settings that need to be turned off (logging in as an administrator would help if you have multiple users on the machine)
I have Windows 7, and for some reason it won't allow me to edit 'Targets' on the shortcut properties. The Target box is greyed out and won't let me edit it. Any advice with this?
Hello! Thx for the cheats! At first I had difficulties but after deleting the 0 after _ everything worked well :)) Once more, thx !
It didn´t work .I´m not sure if this makes's a diference but i´m portuguese so i have a diferente type of keyboard and on my keyboard ~ is diferent to where it is on the UK or US keyboard
- AUTHOR
Jimi88 - try leaving that line unchanged - the ~ sometimes works as default if this line is unchanged.
Hi, i´ve done everything right but when i open my key bindings and search for the open console all i find is OpenConsole_0=(UNASSIGNED)and when i change nothing happens in the game. Can you help?
Anyone got ideas on companion codes for eg Velanna? This is supposed to be Awakenings codes but this seems to be missing all Awakenings characters and only be listing Origins characters.
whups :) change target location D:\ to whatever drive you installed DA Origins onto
"D:\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daorigins.exe" -enabledeveloperconsole
sorry and have fun :D
stevie, follow this exactly
goto -> My Documents\Bioware\Dragon Age\Settings and open the file called "KeyBindings"
make the following line look like this -> OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_`
[to get the tilde key press tilde once and then press the spacebar once to make it actually add the key]
close/save the file
find the folder where you installed DA Origins
goto -> Dragon Age\bin_ship and find the file "daorigins" it's a gold colored looking shield [to me]
rightclick it, make a shortcut to desktop and edit the shortcut
make the target location look like this exactly -> "D:\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daorigins.exe" -enabledeveloperconsole
[you can copy/paste it from this comment]
close/save and it should work
doubleclick the shortcut open a saved game and press tilde ONCE !
you won't actually see anything on the screen but console is there !
type -> runscript zz_money 1000000 press enter and you'll receive 100 gold
[1 mill = 100 gold, 10 mill = 1000 gold etc.
some people advice to press backspace few times to make sure the line is empty but i never needed that
if you mistype just press enter and tilde again to refresh the line
[with backspace you don't see what you're doing so...]
have fun ! :D
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- AUTHOR
Stevie: I did find one 'farming' cheat - see video that I added.
IS there a way to make a lot of gold without a cheat??
the screen responds as normal, it doesn't freeze , and no i don't have awakening installed?? and i can't use the level up cheat because i am long passed ostaragar , so what do i do now?? do i start over??
- AUTHOR
Stevie: what happens when you press the ~ key - does everything freeze up or when you try and type in the cheat, does the screen respond as if you were still playing the game?
Do you also have Awakening installed?
Worse case scenario is to just use the level up cheat that doesn't require any cheat codes:
Level Up
In Ostaragar you are given a quest to collect three vials of Darkspawn Blood and the Grey Warden Treaties. However, if you simply collect the blood and don’t collect the treaties, you can talk to Duncan and chose the option “We have the blood, but not the scrolls” – you’ll get experience and then be able to repeat the conversation – keep on doing this until you reach the level cap of 25! Note: This allows you to level up your main character and Alistair only.
It doesn't work! must i edit the real file aswell?? i don't understand i did everything and it doesn't work?? i made a shortcut to my desktop and edit it, and changed my keybindings to ~ and it doesn't work plz help??
- AUTHOR
Stevie - right click on the daorigins.exe 'icon' and select 'send to the desktop' - then amend right click the icon on the desktop to add the '-enabledeveloperconsole'
You probably don't have to edit the .ini file and then would use the ~ key (without shift)
I don't have Windows 7 , but i have to add my daorigins.exe is in my windows folder?? and there is 3 of them?? so what do i have to do to fix this plz ?? help me
- AUTHOR
Stevie - the version shouldn't make a difference. I just added a couple of screen shots. If you have Windows 7 - don't edit the .ini file - leave it as is. Then use the key that has the ~ on it - do not press SHIFT when doing this! I note that this works on an American Keyboard - may be different for other countries...
i did everything possible and can the problem be at the version of the game?? my version is 1.1.0.14 ?? plz help me i did everything what can i do??
Game shortcut must be in desktop! This is the most comman problem i think, otherwise it does not work! Be sure shortcut is in your desktop, not in any folder or other disks!
I figured out a little trick to help with the negative money deal... All I did was type in 9999999999999 for the amount and it gave me a positive amount. Hope this helps all others with this problem.
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same problem as an anon above, I use the money code and get negative amounts. It says the money was added, but it gives a seemingly random negative amount of money. Any ideas on this?
- AUTHOR
Brian & Milosh: also see Folchibas's comment re: Windows 7 - leaving the 'Grave' and then using ~ seems to work...
i did everything with shortcut and change the key... I set Z, z, Y, y... and some letters more... is it important for letters to be big or what? when i try to type the cheat my character isn't frozen... i have windows deluxe... is that a problem??
- AUTHOR
Brian: depending on the version of Windows 7 you have, you can use the option to use Windows XP mode....
I'm not sure why the 'console' option doesn't work - it should....I'll try installing on a PC with Windows 7 on it soon - probably in the next two weeks.
Using Windows 7 64 bit and when creating the shortcut it won't even allow me to apply the -enabledeveloperconsole comes up with an error message.
any ideas?
For everyone having problems with windows 7 64-bit, like I was, keep the key as GRAVE which will use the ` key and run the shortcut as administrator
thanks man, I'll try that one next. Thanks for your support again.
- AUTHOR
D: some of the cheats work on awakening - for example ...pc_immortal works! I haven't had the chance to use them all though - I'l replay sometime and try and list them!
hey I got the DA Ultimate edition...I used the cheats on the ORIGINS and it works fine but I couldn't run it on the Awakening. The console is up though..but the code just won't work. Help, I really love the healplayer thing.
I did everything it just brings up all my map and spells and what not
- AUTHOR
Rebekah - use the internet exporer to find the folder:
C:\Program Files\Dragon Age\bin_ship
or
C:\Program File (x86)\Dragon Age\bin_ship
You should find the file in this location - make a shortcut (right click on the exe file to do this) to your desktop and then amend the desktop shortcut as per the above instructions.
I can't find daorigins.exe; I can only find the launcher. When I enter daorigins.exe in the search bar it says no results. Help!
Cool mate, thanks for the cheats :-)
when i enter the money cheat, ill open my bag up and it will say -95 or some other negative number, know what the problem is??
Ok i have done everything. When i try to change the shortcut target to have the -enabledeveloperconsole at the end of the quotes, it says, "location specified in the target box is not valid". the shortcut works with out this. and the folder location is correct. i have windows 7 ultimate 32 bit and xp mode does not work for this windows idk why. please help without things having to be so complicated thx.
- AUTHOR
Lord - when you leave the OpenConsole as the original 'Button_Grave" does the tilda key work? (it's the ~ or [shift] & ` on the us keyboard
I tried everything and still doesn't work.
This is my keybindings line
OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_Grave (yes I tried chanigi it to Z and other keys)
This is how the direct acces path looks like.
"C:\Archivos de programa\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daorigins.exe" -enabledeveloperconsole
My problem is that I can't activate the console I always can move after pressing the button I assgined to the openconsole command
- AUTHOR
Ineedhelp: This is what mine looks like after amending to key 'z':
OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_Z
OpenConsole_1=(UNASSIGNED)
Hey I messed up and typed in something on both the "Openconsole0" and the "Openconsole1" what should the "Openconsole1" look like? Here's what it looks like.
OpenConsole_0=Button_`
OpenConsole_1=Button_\
- AUTHOR
Pieter - this only works on the .exe file. If you have a daorigins file in the folder : C:\Program Files\Dragon Age\bin_ship then it's probably the right one, with the exe part hidden. When you try using the cheats - does the screen freeze (Movement keys don't work etc.) if so then the cehat is working you just have to be very careful and type in the codes correctly!
Okkin: I seem to remember that the money cheat didn't work - not a huge problem as you don't really need that much money in Awakenings!
I have Dragon Age Origins: Awakening installed and my game is updated to Patch 1.03. My problem is, the cheat -- "runscript zz_money X" won't work on the expansion pack, ONLY on the regular version of the game. Please helpp
:''(
i don't have a daorigins.exe only a daorigins , i tried it all but can't get it to work , i tried for like 2 hours ...
hey , i try every thing above and it just juggle the
player around and opening pages so what im doing wrong .please help
I should mention that when I try using it the upper part of the screen fills with random letters and numbers.
I am having a bit of trouble with one of the codes. I can get others to work using ~ except when I try using the runscript zz_money cheat it does not work. I used it in the regular Dragon Age Origins, is it simply not going to work with Awakening?
Thank you very much. The cheats for me it only work when i use Z in keybinding. Anything else wouldn't work.
ok. I'll try.
- AUTHOR
On a US keboard it's the thing above a ' - it looks like ~
You should press the key before entering the cheat code.
OpenConsole_0=Keyboard::Button_Grave
"you hit the tilda key" I don't realy know is butoon "`" my runscript. If it is when i pres it befor entering cheat.
And coul'd you tell me what is "tilda key"?
- AUTHOR
eftinas - did you put runscript before the zz)money? It's always worth hitting delete a few times to clear any letters that may be in the console
I also seem to remember that you have to use large numbers - something like 1000000
"C:\Program Files\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daorigins.exe" -enabledeveloperconsole (its my shortcut)
"you do not need to alter the keybindings.ini file. leaving it at (grave) will work when you hit the tilda key." i didin't
and when i pres "`" i could not move and etc.
I tried to write ` zz_money 10000(enter)`(enter)
but this doesn,t work for me. Game version 1.03
waHoo! haha that worked. I just changed the key binding line back to what it was (grave) and now it works with the "`" key. Thanks a lot!
- AUTHOR
Gary - the only other thing I can think is to run the .exe file as an administrator.
Here's a note I found on another forum:
I had all the same problems that everyone else here seems to be having, but I did solve them all. The instructions here are correct, but a little hazy. First of all, you don’t need two spaces after daorigins.exe, only one space. In fact if you put in two spaces it will simply default back to a single space as soon as you save the change. Furthermore, you do not need to alter the keybindings.ini file. leaving it at (grave) will work when you hit the tilda key. I think the problem people are having comes from inputting the actual cheat code incorrectly. That at lest is where I was screwing up. The cheat code for money is runscript zz_money xxxxxxx. Note that there must be a space between runscript and zz_money as well as between zz_money and the amount you want (xxxxxx). I kept leaving out the space after runscript. Once I realized that, everything worked perfectly. Also, as someone else pointed out; once you have typed in the cheat code you hit enter, then hit the tilda key to close the console, then hit enter again in order to unfreeze the game. It really does work
I wish that were my problem. None of the changes I make to the key binding file do anything in the game. I tried to use it to change my movement keys and they stayed the same. Perhaps that could be the issue?
- AUTHOR
Gary - the short cut is definitely to the daorigins.exe file?
When I first did this I couldn't get it to work because I created a short cut to the DAOriginsLauncher.exe file instead!
Well I've still had 0 luck with the consule thing.
I created a short cut
added the line in the target
changed the line in the key bindings that was "grave" when i started to "z"
and then I start the game and try z and nothing ever happens.
Is there somethin else to it that I may not be doing? or is it supposed to be that simple
- AUTHOR
Gary - try it with the Z key - that worked fine for me! Thanks for the tip about the site - I always buy from direct2drive - never had a problem with them
- AUTHOR
Gary - try it with the Z key - that worked fine for me! Thanks for the tip about the site - I always buy from direct2drive - never had a problem with them
After the reinstall I tried again with no luck. I even tried copying the Keyboard::Button_1 from a line that I KNOW worked into the thing to open the consule with no luck. I'm starting to think maybe my keybinding file or whatever it is just isn't connected to my game. I changed it to open the consule to the 1 key and removed it from where it was, but it still did the original thing and used my first spell.
Hrm well I'm working on reinstalling it now to try it without the update. Had no luck at all with it.
Have not tried it with awakening though. I attempted to buy it from www.eastore.com because I figured that would be better and more secure than EBgames or some other site. Word to the wise, IT"S NOT! worst online shopping I have EVER had by far and the add on didn't work at all.
- AUTHOR
Gary - yes - I have 1.03 (I will check when I get home!) - but I have used this cheat....although not sure if it works after downloading awakening - will check though...
Yes I saw that one also. Do you know if this cheat will work with the 1.03 update? I downloaded it while trying to get Awakening to work, which I never managed.
but no so far I have had no luck at all getting the consule to appear. I tried with the 0 and without and Ive tried with multiple keys.
Also I use vista home addition.
- AUTHOR
Gary - you could also use the Level Up cheat- it's below the main console cheats - it's very easy and takes about half an hour to get your characters to a high level
- AUTHOR
Gary - it should be developer - that's a typo on my part.
Which version of Windows do you have? There seems to be a problem with the Windows 7 installation - I don't have this so can't troubleshoot - but I would suggest changing the compatibility to Windows XP on the same EXE file that you added the command line to....
Let me know more details about your system and I'll see if I can help.
BTW when you press the 'key' - are you able to move your character as normal? If not then the 'key' is working - the console is invisible and it's worth hitting delete a few times just to clear out any entries before entering the cheat code...
I have edited the origins shortcut and have tried every key binding i can think of but still not having any luck. I also had issues with the Awakening expansion. Downloaded it from eastore.com and nothing I tried could get it to work. In the process I lost all my characters and saved game. which is mostly why i would like this to work so i can set them back to where they were for when i get the expansion to work. anyways any ideas?
Also several times you switch between develop and developer when referring to your code. which one is the proper way to put it?
none of these worked for me. I'm also running windows 7 64bit.
- AUTHOR
Psychotic.Egg: try using:
OpenConsole_=Keyboard::Button_Q (or whatever key you want- I've read that removing the 0 after OpenConsole sometimes works).
Ensure there is no space between the - and the 'enabledeveloperconsole'
A couple of other ideas or solutions?:
-press the tilde and then the key you have bound.
-press delete after hitting your key to ensure there are no characters in front of the script
-try running in XP mode - I beleive Windows 7 allows you to do this?
-when amending the 'target line' try also ""Run this program in compatiblity mode" and then select "windows xp service pack 2"
Let me know if these ideas don't work and I'll do some more research - I have a PC with Windows 7 to try it on!
So I decided to play around. and while being fed up made a copy of the keybindings and deleted the one in the folder. Then started the game. I had full control of the QWEASD as far as I can tell it's not looking for keyfindings to do anything. I know it should be. but it didn't. anywhere else there is a list of commands for the game?
Hey, So I made my target "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dragon Age\bin_ship\daorigins.exe" -enabledevelopeconsole
I tryied using Z, z, U, u, X, x, K, k, And nothing opens the developers console. I'm using windows 7 64 bit, and store bought Dragon age game. I'm stuck at brenka with 1 potent healing, two health and two lessers. So I need this thanks.
Great Hub!!!!!
The codes were really enjoyable to go through. Overall the hub is hugely enjoyable culminated with tremendous information and fun. Thanks a lot for providing so much enjoyment and fun.
Keep on Hubbing
- AUTHOR
Okami: the console isn't opening. Try using a different letter. Also make sure the command line in 'daorigins.exe' is correct; it must be outside the quotes and must have the minus in front of it.
thanks i got it to work =)
i did ti to "Z" and all i get is maps opening up and stuff...i got vista and i got the latest patch.
- AUTHOR
Anon: when you activate the console, does everything effectively freeze as you type? If it doesn't and your character moves or some of the inventory screens appear then you haven't activated the console properly.
One other thing - the pc_immortal only works on the active character at the time - so all your other characters may die leaving only one alive....
none of my codes or cheats work. ive done everything u sed to do but still not working. like i do the invincibilty one runscript pc_immortal but still i die. wat do i do??
- AUTHOR
Neonpcat - sounds like your still in the console. Try hitting enter or the escape key.
After entering a code nothing works, my characters are frozen and none of the menus respond any ideas
remember to put - before
it should look like this
-enabledeveloperconsole
- AUTHOR
Matt:
-The important thing is the placement of the " - the -enabledevelopeconsole must be outside the quotes.
=Try getting the shortcut to work without the -enabledevelopeconsole first. It may be that the daorigins.exe file was installed in a different folder - so you'll have to search your local drive for the local folder..this would make the 'target'...
“C:\Installed Folder\daorigins.exe” -enabledeveloperconsole
where 'installed folder' is the location of the daorigins.exe file.
Have done as suggested - after changing target in shortcur properties, I just get a "loctaion specified in the target box is not valid". Any suggestions?
- AUTHOR
Zinger: I'll mess around with the 'console' and see if there is a code in there somewhere! Origins probably excluded this in the console as they want you to download unique items etc....I have seen 'scripts' on the web, but these seem very technical and potentially break the 'license' agreement with Origins - therefore I'm not going to post these...hopefully by the weekend I'll have more info for you...
- AUTHOR
Zinger: I'll do some research and add tables as appropriate - thanks for the feedback!
I note that I'm not sure if there is an additem cheat code - but if there is I'll add details!
A bit short on details? don't suppose you know the numbers for items?
it works fine. i messed up on the command, i switched to z which works fine for me now. thanks a million
- AUTHOR
Teeps: the console is always invisible on my machine - once entering the code - pressing Enter should activate the cheat - if that doesn't work pressing Escape should get you out of the console....let me know if that doesn't work and I'll try and replicate the problem and see if there is a work-around!
i tried this and i got it to work. i set mine to U and i can enable some codes, however some people say they see randon numbers and letters when enabling the console and i don't. also i cannot escape the console. help?!?!?!?!?!!? :)
- AUTHOR
J: trying using Z - that worked for me. What version of windows do you have? Are you using the streaming version, the digital download version or the shop bought version?
Did you load the 'latest patch'?
I'll do some research for variations - I know that the cheats do not work on the streaming version...I'll post an update in a couple of days.
hello i have done everything you have said to a T but when i use my key binding to use the codes it just jumps around using the different key bindings for the letters i push to type out the cheats and they don't work :X any ideas ?
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