# Cheat Engine

> Memory scanner, debugger, disassembler and assembler for inspecting and changing running games and other applications; its README calls it a development environment focused on modding games and applications for personal use. The project site lists a memory scanner for finding the variables a game uses, a debugger, disassembler, assembler, speedhack, trainer maker, Direct3D manipulation and system inspection tools, and the README's build notes add Mono, .NET and Java runtime inspection, a VEH debugger interface, Lua and C code in scripts and an optional kernel-mode driver.

- Type: Tool
- Targets: Binary · Game
- Category: Debugging and dynamic analysis
- Relationship: Foundation tool
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-05
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-06
- Original resource: <https://github.com/cheat-engine/cheat-engine>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/cheat-engine/cheat-engine/blob/ec45d5f47f92a239ba0bf51ec5d04a7509c3fd37/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/cheat-engine/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/cheat-engine/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/cheat-engine/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** The site's news of 2026-05-29 says Cheat Engine 7.7 was released for Windows, Mac and Linux to Patreon supporters first, followed by a public Windows installer. The newest GitHub release is 7.5 (2023-02-23), which attaches no binaries, and the reviewed master commit dates from 2025-04-19.
- **Prerequisites:** Building needs Lazarus 2.2.2 for 64-bit Windows with its i386 cross-compiler for the main project and Visual Studio (usually 2017) for the .sln helper projects, such as the Mono, .NET and Java data collectors. Kernel-mode functions need the DBK driver built without a signature, then booting with unsigned-driver support or signing the driver yourself.
- **Scope:** The site describes it as made for modifying single-player games without an internet connection, says it will most likely not work on online games, requires users to be 18 or older, calls it for private and educational purposes and asks users not to violate a game's or application's EULA or terms of service.
- **License:** The repository has no top-level license file and GitHub detects no license; the site says the source code is visible so that anyone can compile their own version. Bundled components such as tcclib carry their own license files.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/cheat-engine/cheat-engine/blob/ec45d5f47f92a239ba0bf51ec5d04a7509c3fd37/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/cheat-engine/cheat-engine/blob/ec45d5f47f92a239ba0bf51ec5d04a7509c3fd37/Cheat%20Engine/release/readme.txt>
3. <https://github.com/cheat-engine/cheat-engine/releases/tag/7.5>
4. <https://www.cheatengine.org/aboutce.php>
5. <https://www.cheatengine.org/>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.