Hacking a computer...MiniGame suggestions/help?

[juncmodule]

I am going to have a recurring minigame where the main character must hack a computer to acquire information or in some cases control devices. I'm not sure how to go about doing this. I would like to avoid things like firewalls, viruses, packets, etc. (things that would give away a specific time period). I would like for it to be visually based and not text based. It does not have to be completely realistic, but, perhaps somewhat realistic. Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
-junc

[shbaz]

There are plenty of programs available that you simply type in an IP and with no knowledge of hacking, they will accomplish some task. I remember messing with a friend back in win95 days with a program that would crash any windows 95 system with some insecure port.

You don't have to implement the complexities of the thing, just think up some fake program that does all the work for the gamer.

[Las Naranjas]

That looks like tetris.

[juncmodule]

Well...I'm talking about hacking a bank. Not Joe Schmoe's computer.

Besides, what fun would there be in a miniGame if all you had to do is type in one number .

I'm thinking of a visual way to get past security points, enter a access code, navigate a maze of sorts, hide from the security scanner...you know...all TRON like.

PS: IP is a BAD word. Designates timeframe . Think 100 years in the future.

eh,
-junc

[Alynn]

Could always go with a shadowrun type of deal where you actually do a mental link with the computer, and fight security measures with whatever interface tools you happen to have bought, some just kick you out, others can actually harm the character (black ICE) set off alarms... and so on..

just tossing out ideas

[MrColossal]

take a look at the game Uplink for some ideas

it's mostly visual and icon based with a little bit of typing

eric

[Matt Brown]

or check out the game decker

decker can be downloaded at www.gamehippo.com

its a pretty simple, but highly attictive VB game where you are a 1337h4><0r

[juncmodule]

Alynn: duh! Shadowrun...why didn't I think of that....I will have to check out how they did the Sega Genesis version...now where'd I put that emulator...?

Eric: Downloading the demo now, looks interesting.

Panda: Checking it out now.

Thanks folks!

-junc

[Ptraci]

Remember Beneath a Steel Sky? Part of the puzzles were on a virtual system called "Linc". Using differrent ID Cards you had different tools and docs. If you were caught or did something wrong, the system disconnected you.

[juncmodule]

I think I finished it:



I will have to include a manual with the game on how to use it I think. Basically, you log on using a access code(IP Address). Then you must use the decryptor to break the password to the system you are hacking. Once inside you must have your Trace Blocker on. The system you are hacking will begin to Trace you. Visually you must move your yellow Node (on the green grid) to an open port (a blue one) to access data. Red ports are ports that are being monitored by the System Security Node. These change as you are acquiring data. You must move about the grid avoiding the Security node in order to slow down the trace time. If the trace time reaches zero you are kicked off the system and lose any data you have acquired during that session.

Let me know what you think!

Ptraci: Although I have BASS I have never completed it. I REALLY need to, I have heard nothing but good things about it and the little I have played is really nice.

Las: Looks like instead of Tetris, I went with Q-bert .

EDIT: Oh yeah, Mr. C, thanks for the Uplink suggestion, very inspiring stuff. And Panda, although I didn't like Decker I did use the grid idea. Thanks guys!

later,
-junc

[Alynn]

Just a suggestion... but with those arrow keys, on intense sessions i tend to forget exactly which direction goes where on isometric views... maybe you could have the arrows pointing the direction according to the iso view....

[juncmodule]

IsoArrows!



I agree that can be a pain in the butt. Any other suggestions?

-junc

[InCreator]

Have you ever played Uplink? There's some ideas you could rip off.

[juncmodule]

Nice try!

You should try reading the thread before you reply  :

Uplink provided about 90% of my inspiration for the end result.

Any other recommendations?

later,
-junc

[Al_Ninio]

Hee, looks nice.
the only crit I have is that I noticed that the arrows don't really follow the perspective of the plane view (top left window), might be nice if you made them follow it.