Yes. I hate this. But even the AAA titles cheat. I have been playing a Attila: Total war campaign for an achievement (“This is total war”) and I have noticed the cheating bastard ai countries don’t need food. Aggravating.
However for a challenge to a human I guess it is necessary. When it is transparent, though, it doesn’t work. This is why (unlike some here) I like a little mystery to my mechanics in a strategy game.