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Geek Culture / Hacking advice......don't worry nothin' dodgy!

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FieldDoc
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Joined: 30th May 2003
Location: London, UK
Posted: 16th Jun 2003 00:11 Edited at: 16th Jun 2003 00:12
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Hi!
I have been working on a game for a couple of weeks now. As you have probably guessed from the title, it revolves around computer hacking. I am attempting to make a console-based hacking simulator (no 3D graphics...shock, horror ! )
I know this has been done a few times by other people, namely Introversion and their enjoyable game 'Uplink' as well as others. Now, I am by no means a computer expert (i'm a medical student by profession) nor have I ever really done much hacking myself.

Why the hell am I doing this then?!!!!

I like a challenge. Also, I really like the idea of hacking....especially as a game where no harm can be done. The problem is, I want to make this as realistic as I can. Obviously, Uplink is nothing like real hacking....sure the principles are there....getting usernames, passwords, disabling proxies, monitors, etc but it doesn't seem realistic enough. Couple this and the MANY ideas I have got tucked under my sleeve and I think it will be a great game.

This is where I need you guys....I am sure that there is a huge amount of collective knowledge regarding computers on these very forums. I want to get this right. I especially need commands to be included, principles explained, best ways to code things like servers into the game, etc. Currently, I have a skeleton program with the console working, text scrolling, a few basic commands (cd, cls, delete, make, exit, help) so I still have a long way to go.

The 'operating system' the console uses is loosely based on DOS but with a few changes to keep the microsoft wolves from the doors

Where should I go from here? For instance, I need a list of commands that I MUST include. Then I need help as to how to begin writing servers, etc because i'm a little lost.

Many thanks in advance guys,

Life is like a penis:
When it's soft you can't beat it, when it's hard you get screwed.
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Solidz Snake
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Posted: 16th Jun 2003 02:55
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Just my honest opinions (open for discussion):

1. If u get all the infos and put them all together into one great game, wouldn't it will only attract a handful of interested players? Because most gamers out there are not really as technical as the actual experts and hackers. Though the idea is great, u might want to review some of the terms used so that the player actually feel that "they are really hacking".

2. If u get all the infos, u really wanna make this game or u wanna jump to be a real hacker? lol! (just kidding dude!)

Snake? What happened? Snake? Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!!! - Colonel Roy Campbell

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QuothTheRaven
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Location: United States
Posted: 16th Jun 2003 05:37
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*pings the whitehouse*
*tracert's the whitehouse*
*hits firewall*
*pings firewall*
*tracert's firewall*
*grins*

Darken the skies, we are god
http://www.DelvarWorld.com
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Shadow Robert
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Posted: 16th Jun 2003 06:32
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Webdext did something like that for a class project (i got to test out an early version, and make a new UI look) ... was interesting to say the least.

Within the Epic battle of the fates the Shadow and the Angel will meet. With it will harbinger the very fight of good vs evil!
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FieldDoc
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Posted: 16th Jun 2003 10:55
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@Solid Snake:
All good points. There is a risk o f making it too complicated I agree. I need to get the balance right there's no doubt about that. I think hacking is a great genre coz it is great for generating suspense.....one of the key aspects of a decent game. And if I get good enough at hacking, well, there's a few people I would like to 'erase'......lol

@Raven:
Interesting....that good or bad? lol

@Everyone:
So, come on guys. Give me some commands to get working on.

Life is like a penis:
When it's soft you can't beat it, when it's hard you get screwed.
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Ian T
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Posted: 16th Jun 2003 18:50
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I personally would create a fake system. 'Real' hacking isn't nearly as fun-- as proved in System Shock 2 with the node system. I'd do something with a timer, a changing danger % (call it something like latency, just assume the player dosen't really know any of these terms), and a series of sometimes-shifting nodes to hack through to the center. *shrugs*

--Mouse

Famous Fighting Furball
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Van B
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Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 16th Jun 2003 19:31
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How about making it a modular system, where you'd use application tools to hack virtual websites. I mean, you need to fatten out the idea to make it interesting, I would'nt like to sit typing CD and CHKDIR and stuff - swapping apps with virtual hackers and solving hacker style puzzles would be pretty cool. How about making some fancy matrix style text routines and some dummy apps - like one for decrypting, but make it look cool with green text etc, like in the movies.

An interesting twist might be to hack into video systems and watch people enter their passwords, stuff like that.


Van-B

My cats breath smells of cat food.
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FieldDoc
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Posted: 16th Jun 2003 20:25
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I like the idea of simplifying it a bit Van B....I have actually got some plans to spy on CCTV (e.g. you are the hacker taking down bank security and other players can actually rob it, etc). I'm not gonna simulate real hacking exactly...like I said, I don't know enough and you guys are right....it would make it a bit dull for non-nerds. However, I do need the basic principles...like what are you likely to see if you connect to a server and what would need to be done to access it, etc.

Life is like a penis:
When it's soft you can't beat it, when it's hard you get screwed.
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Mattman
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Posted: 16th Jun 2003 21:20
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In "Enter the Matrix" they did something where you had to type in a binary code to acsess the database i think! Try that.

---Mattman
"Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done." Andy Rooney
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Van B
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Posted: 16th Jun 2003 21:23
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Well, any login screen would be pretty basic, perhaps even a dos screen inside a fake browser. Look at FTP listings etc, that's more like what the hackers would deal with. You can have fake files, with information you have to get at - using tools etc to decrypt the text, maybe looking for decrypt passwords or gathering info on the employees to try and guess passwords. Don't make anything windowsy, have a look for unix screens etc, make the server front ends look advanced, but nerdy - if you know what I mean.

Ohh, made a little text decrypt demo - real simple, check the source.


Van-B

My cats breath smells of cat food.
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FieldDoc
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Posted: 17th Jun 2003 02:59
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Great snippet Van B...might be able to include it somewhere. If I do, I will be sure to include you in the credits!

Life is like a penis:
When it's soft you can't beat it, when it's hard you get screwed.
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Ian T
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Posted: 18th Jun 2003 01:28 Edited at: 18th Jun 2003 01:30
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By the way, does the hacker in the game have 13-foot long tentacle-arms, no feet, and a rigermortis implant?

Edit-- Oh, I forgot. Does he also live off of hard drugs?

--Mouse

Famous Fighting Furball
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Solidz Snake
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Posted: 18th Jun 2003 02:52
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i'm no great hacker, just throwing in my concept ideas to u:

lets say if its hard for u to find codes and help from hackers to make ur game, why not develop the concept story to be that the player access/hack using an AI hacking system system? For example:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Player: solidz *****

ACCESSING AI.. complete.

AI: Ah there u are Solidz, i was wondering when u were coming back to me.
Player: Sorry AI, i had a date just now with Belinda. Dun be jealous on me okay!
AI: Jealous? moi? Get real Solidz, u can't get me jealous over those fleshy females companions of urs! ehehe!
Player: ehehe!
AI: So wat brings u back to me, loverboy?
Player: i think i wanna take some cash from the swiss bank.. find me few rich casino owners accounts, lemme have a go at their personal government record files too, just to be sure.
AI: U going to the Malibu again?
Player: I'll bring u too AI. U know i always do
AI: ehehehe!

Downloading *&*&*&*& accounts..
Downloading *&*&*&*& records..

etc etc..

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Just my suggestions

Snake? What happened? Snake? Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!!! - Colonel Roy Campbell

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Ian T
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Posted: 18th Jun 2003 03:54
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If you really know AI, it'd be more like:

Mouse: 'Hello AI! I'm the interloper!'
AI: 'Welcome to my DEATH MACHINE, Interloper!'
*exploding sounds*
Mouse: 'Ooops, did those trip mines damage your plans?'
AI: 'DAMN YOU HACKER! YOU PATHETIC MIX OF FLESH AND BONE! I'LL SIC DIEGO ON YOU!'
*BOOM*
Mouse: 'Darn, so THAT'S where I left the 22 EMP bombs!'
AI: 'AAAAAAAAAAAARRG!'




Oh come on, someone must get it

--Mouse

Famous Fighting Furball
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FieldDoc
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Posted: 18th Jun 2003 11:38
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@Solid Snake:
Thats a new idea for sure.....has given me a few ideas actually, how about one mission/set of missions where you can break into a some government R&D system where there are running a highly advanced AI program.....maybe you could brefriend it or something.

Life is like a penis:
When it's soft you can't beat it, when it's hard you get screwed.
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Van B
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Posted: 18th Jun 2003 12:52
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A bit like the computers in Halo, I thought the crazy floating orb thingy was great - it has a lot of personality . Maybe the idea could be to crack the AI by non-conventional hacker methods - like the developers of the AI put some human traits that you can capitalise on. I reckon it'd be quite funny, especially if you gave it a humanesque voice - look into phonetics and see if you can get a conversation going. Maybe you could even have mini-games you can play with the AI, let it win to soften it up or beat it to show it who's boss.

"Would you like to play a game?"


Van-B

My cats breath smells of cat food.
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Solidz Snake
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Posted: 18th Jun 2003 13:47
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Van B : Yup, when i wrote that, I was thinking about Quartana Good guess.

Snake? What happened? Snake? Snaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake!!! - Colonel Roy Campbell

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Ian T
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Posted: 18th Jun 2003 20:42
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Nobody gets it

--Mouse

Famous Fighting Furball
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