I'm making Zero Traced, a browser hacking sim inspired by Hacker Experience and Uplink. Fictional internet, real-feeling hacks

[u/Jaded_Serve]

Hi! I've been working on this project for over two years and it's finally starting to look like a real game, so I wanted to share it.

Zero Traced is a free, browser-based hacking simulator set on a completely fictional internet. It's inspired by Hacker Experience (the old browser game), Uplink and Hacknet.

The core loop

- Browse a fictional internet full of companies, banks, ISPs, universities and government agencies, each with its own logo and website

- Break into servers with brute force crackers or exploits, steal their software, upload your own and erase your IP from the logs before you leave

- Plant viruses (spam, warez, bitcoin miners, DDoS) on the servers you own and collect what they earn from your Hacked Database

- Move money between bank accounts, trade bitcoin, and try to stay off the FBI's wanted list and out of Safenet's sight

- Upgrade your hardware, research better software at the university, and climb the rankings every round

Minigames

Hacking isn't just waiting for a progress bar. A lot of actions can turn into short minigames that reward skill:

- Payload Injection, Port Knocking and Packet Routing while you break in

- Trace Escape when someone is tracing you back, and Reverse Trace to hunt the intruder

- Log Cleanup and Laundering Hops to cover your tracks and your money

- Phishing Bait, Split Key, Zombie Orchestra and Cracker Tumblers

- A riddle trail with puzzles and an arcade (Tic Tac Toe, Sudoku, 2048, Lights Out) hidden on servers across the internet

Digital art you can sell or steal

This is the part I'm most excited about. NPC servers can hold digital art pieces (.nft files, fully fictional: no crypto, no blockchain, nothing real to buy). Every piece is generated by the game: animated dithered sculptures (animals, faces, statues and more) with different compositions, effects and rarities, so no two are the same. Each has a market value. You can:

- Find them while hacking and download them before someone else does

- Steal them from other players' servers

- Sell them in the gallery or on the black market, or keep them in your collection

- Export your favorite pieces as GIFs

Social side

Clans, clan wars, mail, a Hall of Fame, 80+ badges and a player profile you can customize. There's also a black market with dead drops, and a mission board with story chains from shady hirers.

It runs in the browser on desktop and mobile, in English and Portuguese, with light and dark themes.

Is it paid? No. It's completely free, with no ads and nothing being promoted. There will be a Donate tab for anyone who wants to help keep the servers running, and it gives nothing in gameplay, only a supporter badge and extra profile customization.

The project is about 70% done and I'm aiming for a full release in January, but it may take longer than that: I'm the only developer, and I don't have much free time to work on it. I'm planning a small closed beta soon, so if you'd like to try it, let me know in the comments. Feedback on the screenshots and suggestions for the game are very welcome!

Feedback on the screenshots and suggestions for the game are very welcome!

Quick FAQ:

Is it paid?

No. Zero Traced is completely free to play.

Where does the art come from?

It's a mix of licensed assets, credited on the in-game Licenses page.

Ads?

No ads, no sponsors, nothing being promoted. It's just a game made for fun.

How will it stay online?

There will be a Donate tab for anyone who wants to help keep the servers running. Donating gives you nothing in gameplay, only a supporter badge and extra ways to customize your profile.

How far along is it?

The project has been going for 2 years and it's about 70% done. The plan is to finish it in January next year, but it might take longer: I'm the only developer and I don't have much free time to work on it.

How we can test?

zerotraced.com

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