Article on Game-Hacking Prevention by Developers

Dyndrilliac · 01-18-2008, 11:39 PM

This article was written by Matthew Pritchard, a developer for AOE and AOE2. It's an interesting read. One quote that I especially thought was amusing is the following:

Quote:

they [hackers] are probably more familiar with the Assembly output of an optimized C++ file than you [game developers] are.

He isn't wrong, either.

How to Hurt the Hackers: The Scoop on Internet Cheating and How You Can Combat It

YonderKnight · 01-19-2008, 12:37 AM

Nice read, thanks =).

Their company did a really good job at anti-hacking age of mythology. I remember a while back when i tried to search for hacks none came up.

Dyndrilliac · 01-19-2008, 01:14 AM

Agreed. Sheep did an even better job of publicizing how to beat AOM's encryption though, hehe.

Perma · 01-19-2008, 01:20 AM

Great article.

Drakken · 02-01-2008, 08:52 AM

Good read.

Perma · 02-01-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakken

Good read.

Hi Drakken.

Titan · 02-01-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakken

Good read.

Hello there.

It was an interesting read. Blizzard has implemented similar anti-hack techniques to make map hacking more difficult, but a little perseverance overcomes it.

Jakor · 02-03-2008, 07:51 AM

It's gotta tell you something when the only people who comment on this are people who have written something and contributed in some way to the hacks here.

btw "interesting read"

MiCrOz · 02-03-2008, 10:43 AM

Very interesting read, definately worth saving.

A recap of the 'rules'

Quote:

Rule #1: If you build it, they will come -- to hack and cheat.
Rule #2: hacking attempts increase with the success of your game.
Rule #3: Cheaters actively try to keep developers from learning their cheats.
Rule #4: Your game, along with everything on the cheater's computer, is not secure. The files are not secure. Memory is not secure. Services and drivers are not secure.
Rule #5: Obscurity is not security.
Rule #6: Any communication over an open line is vulnerable to interception, analysis, and modification.
Rule #7: There is no such thing as a harmless cheat or exploit. Cheaters are incredibly inventive at figuring out how to get the most out of any loophole or exploit.
Rule #8: Trust in the server is everything in a client-server game.
Rule #9: Honest players would love for a game to tip them off to possible cheating. Cheaters want the opposite.

#1 is my favorite

cala4 · 02-03-2008, 12:33 PM

Age of Empires was a great game. Nice read.

H4x4Me · 02-03-2008, 12:46 PM

This is great! Never knew that was possible to my knowledge. Great article.

ScAreCroW · 02-03-2008, 06:07 PM

One of the first articles posted on this site that was actually interesting.

Enter7ainer · 03-30-2008, 02:36 PM

Quite an old article, but a very interesting read.
Thanks

nova587 · 03-31-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enter7ainer

Quite an old article, but a very interesting read.
Thanks

It's all fine and dandy to read a old thread, just don't revive it please.

MiCrOz · 03-31-2008, 02:07 PM

That bump was fine, especially for this section.

Definitely a good article to keep bumped, or stickied.

01-19-2008, 12:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
YonderKnight Senior Member Gold Member Evangelist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA, California Posts: 1,392	Nice read, thanks =). Their company did a really good job at anti-hacking age of mythology. I remember a while back when i tried to search for hacks none came up. __________________ New AIM S/N - TooHyeToReply
$YonderKnight 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

01-19-2008, 01:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
Perma rol 3905h, 8 Senior Member Administrator Saint Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 5,415	Great article.
$Perma 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

02-01-2008, 08:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Drakken I'm 4919d Retired Staff Member Advocate Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 161	Good read.
$Drakken 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

02-03-2008, 07:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jakor Trance Addict Senior Member Retired Staff Member Evangelist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NorCal-Eureka Posts: 1,030	It's gotta tell you something when the only people who comment on this are people who have written something and contributed in some way to the hacks here. btw "interesting read" __________________ Yes, I still still listen to trance! Learn Assembly and Game Hacking Jakor's Game Hacking School: http://www.bwhacks.com/forums/progra...ng-school.html contact me: website: www.cybercitadel.net email: Jakor@CyberCitadel.net xfire: Jakorf msn: Jakorf@hotmail.com
$Jakor 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

02-03-2008, 12:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
cala4 bored Gold Member Evangelist Join Date: May 2007 Location: united states Posts: 1,054	Age of Empires was a great game. Nice read. __________________
$cala4 15 0FF11\|\\|3$

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02-03-2008, 12:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
H4x4Me Deviant Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ¯\(º.o)/¯ ...? Canada Posts: 151	This is great! Never knew that was possible to my knowledge. Great article.
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03-30-2008, 02:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
Enter7ainer Mortal Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Great Britain Posts: 7	Quite an old article, but a very interesting read. Thanks __________________
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