Game Hacking

Game Hacking

Developing Autonomous Bots for Online Games
by Nick Cano
July 2016, 304 pp.
ISBN-13: 
978-1-59327-669-0
  • Download Chapter 9: Using Extrasensory Perception to Ward Off Fog of War
  • Download the binaries and example code used in the book

    Game Hacking contains more than just interesting material; it contains an education. Budding programmers and game designers will gain critical insights. Perhaps, for someone with the predisposition and the will to develop their skills, this book could even kick-start a new career.”
    Josh Townsend, IT Security

    You don’t need to be a wizard to transform a game you like into a game you love. Imagine if you could give your favorite PC game a more informative heads-up display or instantly collect all that loot from your latest epic battle.

    Bring your knowledge of Windows-based development and memory management, and Game Hacking will teach you what you need to become a true game hacker. Learn the basics, like reverse engineering, assembly code analysis, programmatic memory manipulation, and code injection, and hone your new skills with hands-on example code and practice binaries.

    Level up as you learn how to:

    • Scan and modify memory with Cheat Engine
    • Explore program structure and execution flow with OllyDbg
    • Log processes and pinpoint useful data files with Process Monitor
    • Manipulate control flow through NOPing, hooking, and more
    • Locate and dissect common game memory structures

    You’ll even discover the secrets behind common game bots, including:

    • Extrasensory perception hacks, such as wallhacks and heads-up displays
    • Responsive hacks, such as autohealers and combo bots
    • Bots with artificial intelligence, such as cave walkers and automatic looters

    Game hacking might seem like black magic, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand how bots are made, you’ll be better positioned to defend against them in your own games. Journey through the inner workings of PC games with Game Hacking, and leave with a deeper understanding of both game design and computer security.

Author Bio 

Nick Cano wrote his first scripts for open source game servers when he was 12 and has been a part of the game-hacking community ever since. He has years of experience in detecting and defending against malware, and advises developers and designers on best practices to protect their games against bots. Nick has spoken about his research and tools at many conferences.

Table of contents 

Introduction

PART 1: TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Chapter 1: Scanning Memory Using Cheat Engine
Chapter 2: Debugging Games with OllyDbg
Chapter 3: Reconnaissance with Process Monitor and Process Explorer

PART 2: GAME DISSECTION
Chapter 4: From Code to Memory: A General Primer
Chapter 5: Advanced Memory Forensics
Chapter 6: Reading from and Writing to Game Memory

PART 3: PROCESS PUPPETEERING
Chapter 7: Code Injection
Chapter 8: Manipulating Control Flow in a Game

PART 4: CREATING BOTS
Chapter 9: Using Extrasensory Perception to Ward Off Fog of War
Chapter 10: Responsive Hacks
Chapter 11: Putting It All Together: Writing Autonomous Bots1
Chapter 12: Staying Hidden

View the detailed Table of Contents (PDF)
View the Index (PDF)

Reviews 

Nick Cano did a Reddit AMA and answered questions about bots, MMORPGs, hardware, OllyDbg, anti-cheating software, and how he got started in security.

Game Hacking contains more than just interesting material; it contains an education. Budding programmers and game designers will gain critical insights. Perhaps, for someone with the predisposition and the will to develop their skills, this book could even kick-start a new career.”
Josh Townsend, IT Security

Nick Cano discusses the ethics in game hacking in his interview with consumer tech radio station Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline.

"Game Hacking makes for both a great read straight through or as a desk reference when reversing games or abusing Windows process memory. I give the book 9 out of 10 stars, as probably one of the best technical computer security books I have read in a while."
Dan Borges, LockBoxx