The 'You Cheated Not Only the Game, But Yourself' meme originated from a viral Twitter response directed at a journalist who used an 'easy mode' mod to defeat the final boss in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice in 2019. The text, which sternly lectures the player for 'hollowing' their experience and 'gaining nothing,' was quickly mocked for its incredibly melodramatic and gatekeeping tone. It has since evolved into a versatile reaction copypasta used to ironically criticize someone for taking the easy way out in video games, work, or simple daily tasks, highlighting the absurdity of taking minor leisure activities with such extreme seriousness.