Blackdoor

Blackdoor is a hacking game where you write code in a terminal to break into servers and retrieve files for an anonymous contact. You start with four poorly written scripts and improve them to hack faster and more quietly, before the trace catches up. Jobs can have multiple solutions, and the story follows why your contact needs the files and what they intend to do with them.

Write and improve scripts

You work at a command line with tab completion, command history and a built-in code editor. Scripts use a custom Python-like language and run line by line, so you can see where they work, where they fail and how changes affect their speed. You can write a focused probe that checks a few ports, download every file for later review, or look for a password someone left in a text file.

The game drops you into scripts that already work but can be improved, where you learn variables, loops and functions by editing and using them. Programming newcomers have to learn as they go, while experienced programmers can move quickly to building tools. The language is close enough to Python for existing programming instincts to carry over.

Take on jobs

Your contact, second_hand, works through the small IRC channel #blackdoor, where hackers and script kiddies chat. They send you a server IP and a brief description of the target; payment comes when you deliver. Jobs grow from unlocked test servers to corporate networks with intrusion detection, and from single-user machines to multi-user systems where you crack an account and escalate privileges from inside.

Some jobs require you to get through filtered ports before downloading encrypted files. Others can involve web forms that expose user tables to a stray quote mark, diagnostic pages that run commands on the underlying operating system, or a browser automation API for filling in and submitting forms. Some servers also have files that are normally locked but briefly become readable during a cycle. Mail servers let you connect on port 25 to read mail or send a convincing message as someone else. These situations appear as side jobs posted by IRC contacts.

Choose your approach

Each server has its own users, files and weaknesses. You can probe ports, crack passwords, explore filesystems, escalate privileges and steal data, choosing how to combine your tools. Connections start a trace countdown that gets faster as you make more noise; if you are traced, the job ends. You can spend your earnings on faster processing, more memory, better network hardware or software tools that unlock capabilities, or keep the money and improve your code instead.

IRC and community

Hackers in #blackdoor chat while you work, share tips and post side jobs. Your contact sends mission briefings, and the channel reacts when you finish jobs; advice may be unsolicited or wrong. The live #lounge channel lets players discuss help, questions, scripts and other topics. It is not moderated in real time, though Steam's text filter applies.

Share scripts and campaigns

Scripts are files, and servers are JSON configs. You can edit scripts in the built-in editor and share scripts or whole campaigns through Steam Workshop, as well as download other players' work. Subscribed content is available on your in-game drop server.

Key features

• Custom scripting language: Write code designed for hacking, with scripts that run line by line so you can see where they are slow.
• Server hacking: Probe ports, crack passwords, explore filesystems, escalate privileges and steal data from servers with their own users, files and weaknesses.
• Trace countdown: Connections start a countdown that speeds up the more noise you make; being traced ends the job.
• Terminal tools: Use tab completion, command history and a built-in code editor.
• Hardware and software upgrades: Improve your hardware for faster scripts or unlock capabilities with software tools.
• Story campaign: Take escalating jobs from an anonymous contact as a corporate conspiracy and a potentially valuable secret emerge.
• IRC channels: Chat with hackers, get briefings and tips, and find side jobs.
• Multiple solutions: Choose between focused tools, broad approaches, password cracking or finding credentials another way.
• Live community chat: Talk with other players in #lounge.
• Steam Workshop: Share and download scripts and entire campaigns.