Infamous is a WIP, 4 chapters have been released and it is supposed to consist of 20. Anything said about the game could be false by the end ( I mean, who could’ve guessed the later plot points and twists in fallen hero?). Anything in bold is opinion/conjecture. I mean, I really did this to myself posting opinions on a WIP without a ‘these are all my opinions’ note somewhere. I mistakenly assumed that everyone also assumed this because we’re only on chapter 4. I’ll be sure to mark when I’m speaking in facts and opinions. (/g for all of these paragraphs)
Honestly, outside of subtext, it really is hard to prove much regarding the cheating incident. G has shown several times in their POVs that they chose MC. I never denied that. I personally do not believe that they cheated to get MC’s band on the show, they clearly do not hold enough power to do that through what we’ve seen in the chapters so far. The author’s posts have been purposefully left vague though there was one implying that fans would not be disappointed when she was being bombarded with anon hate (regarding MC being a loser). I’m not about to search through hundreds of her posts again and tumblr’s search function has never been good.
G has been shown several times in POVs of theirs thinking about the guilt they have for choosing MC. I never denied that. This is left vague, just as most other POVs, to not spoil the plot before it happens. If the characters do not know whether or not cheating was involved, then the readers won’t know either. I personally do not believe that they cheated to get MC’s band on the show, they clearly do not hold enough power to do that through what we’ve seen in the chapters so far. Victor holds too much over G for G to have a say in anything, except maybe even getting them in the contest in the first place. Bands had to apply to even attempt getting on the show. The concert at the beginning where G says they’re a fan? I think G got them on there, through one of their demos they submitted (though, this does not really disprove the sentiment that MC is a loser if they only got in through a recommendation…). There’s also a lot more hints throughout Infamous itself and G’s POVs that do not add up to G helping them cheat. I think G latched onto MC to finally feel something again. They lost any real drive they had towards music. Now, this is where we truly get into complete non-canon things, in one of Blake’s future POVs they have a discussion about how Blake learned over time that they didn’t cheat, though this could also mean that Blake knows MC's band themselves did not cheat (and at one point in another POV Blake isn’t actually entirely sure if cheating actually occurred, but it did help them get onto BOTB). I say all this as someone who does not trust G and knows that they’re probably one of the worst members of the cast. G has guilt for choosing MC, and while it could be that they did help MC by cheating them onto the show, I think it’s more to do why they helped MC. The author clearly leaves a lot out so we can get the reveal when it is supposed to occur in the game. Everything at this point in the story points to the show being rigged, not the band and G's language regarding MC and the cheating does not read to me as them cheating, but feeling like an terrible person for even getting them on the show. But I can be wrong.
As for the MC replacement theory, I misspoke. And assumed based off of a single comment G had in their head. I admit to that. The POVs and game would once again not say anything that important this early on. The band “cheating” and why G chose them is obviously going to be a huge plot point through out almost the entire game. I got this interpretation through various tumblr post that I am not searching for and doubt with how the author speaks online the posts are going to be anything tangible. When the author was being attacked for MC being a “loser”, she made a few vague posts about how fans would not be disappointed and let’s hope she’s right. Now, for the actual full reason as to why I thought G wanted MC to replace them, if only for a bit? G actually mentions this idea in a POV, not saying that this was their initial intention for MC but they did bring it up at one point. G’s POVs are supposed to be vague due to spoilers but also because G does not actually know they are or what they want. They lack an identity of their own and abuse alcohol and drugs to forget and ignore their issues. This also would add up considering how tired and jaded G has become. They need a break and having someone be almost as popular as them would allow G to take somewhat of a break. There are also many hints in scenes that did not get POVs for G but you know...its all subtext/left up to the player and I am not going back and replaying the game until chapter 5.
Again, I’m very sorry I presented all my feelings and theories as fact. That’s what others did here too so I thought we were all just speculating. The MC could very well be a huge loser and I wonder how many people will drop the game when that gets revealed (honestly, my MC would quit if it got revealed they didn't win to get on BOTB without help) And I just know that if not for Triple getting drunk and failing a performance and The Young and Reckless(idr their name..) being under aged, MC's band would've been in the bottom SOMEHOW lmao. I THOUGHT WE ALL KNEW WE WERE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS.