Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has found himself at the center of a new controversy involving popular video games Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2. Over recent weeks, Musk has openly admitted to cheating in these games, a revelation that has sparked intense discussion within the gaming community.
His confessions include buying account boosts and purchasing in-game gear to help him achieve high ranks in these competitive online environments. While some fans have voiced support for him, many others are criticizing his approach to gaming and the ethics of using such shortcuts.
In a recent interview with YouTuber NikoWrex, Musk revealed that he had taken part in account boosting, particularly in Path of Exile 2, where he confessed it was “impossible to beat players in Asia without account boosting.”
This statement refers to the extremely competitive nature of these games, especially in regions where players dedicate countless hours to mastering the game. Musk’s admission that his success was aided by these practices surprised many, as he has often been viewed as a champion of fairness and hard work, especially when it comes to his professional ventures.
His admission comes on the heels of a temporary ban from Path of Exile 2 in December 2024, where he was penalized by the game’s anti-cheat system. Musk claimed that the game had misinterpreted his actions, interpreting his high actions-per-minute (APM) as the use of cheats or macros.
In response to the ban, Musk voiced his frustration, asserting that his gameplay was legitimate, even though his actions were deemed suspicious by the system. His ban was later lifted, but the incident raised doubts among players regarding his gaming habits and the authenticity of his achievements.
In addition to his Path of Exile 2 issues, Musk’s performance in Diablo 4 also came under scrutiny. His ex-girlfriend, Grimes, came to his defense, claiming that he was the first American druid to clear Abattoir of Zir, one of the toughest challenges in the game.
Grimes praised Musk’s skills in Diablo 4, but she was more hesitant when it came to Path of Exile 2. She raised concerns that Musk’s achievements in that game might have been aided by external help, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his claims.
The gaming community has reacted with a mixture of amusement, skepticism, and outrage. Some players argue that boosting services have become an accepted part of online gaming, especially in competitive titles. For them, achieving high ranks is less about raw talent and more about having the resources to purchase boosts or equipment.
Others believe that these practices undermine the spirit of gaming and promote a toxic environment where money trumps skill.
Musk’s revelation has ignited larger conversations about the ethics of gaming and the transparency of gaming achievements. With online gaming becoming an increasingly competitive arena, the line between legitimate skill and cheating has become increasingly blurry.
Some argue that the developers of these games should take a harder stance on account boosting and similar practices, while others argue that the freedom to play the game however you choose is part of the fun.
In the wake of these revelations, the debate over account boosting and ethical gaming continues.
While Musk’s admission has certainly stirred the pot, it remains to be seen whether this controversy will spark changes in the way developers handle cheating and gaming achievements or if it will fade into another blip on the radar of celebrity gaming culture. For now, Musk remains a polarizing figure in both the world of business and gaming.