[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]
Who: Surprise Attack Games & Team Fractal
Alligator
What: TERMINAL-BASED HACKING GAME A HUGE SUCCESS FOR
SOLO AUSSIE DEVELOPER. “NICHE” PET PROJECT GROSSES MORE
THAN AU$650,000. OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK LAUNCHES TODAY TO
CELEBRATE.
Where: Melbourne, Australia
When: 10:00 PST, Tuesday October 20, 2015,
Details: Flying in the face of the
“indiepocalypse”, Adelaide-based developer, Matt
Trobbiani, has quit his job and gone full-time indie after
Hacknet, the terminal-based
hacking game he built in his spare time, grossed more than
AU$650,000 in its first 10 weeks. To celebrate, the soundtrack to
the game has been released for purchase today.
The pumping soundtrack, produced in conjunction with
The Otherworld Agency, and
featuring underground artists such as Carpenter Brut (Hotline
Miami) and Rémi Gallego (of the heavy metal act
The Algorithm), is now available to purchase via
Steam and
Bandcamp for US$9.99.
Gamers who have not yet picked the title up have an opportunity
to get a 25% discount on the game and soundtrack in this
week’s Midweek Madness promotion on Steam, live now until
10:00am PST Friday 23 October, 2015.
Hacknet is a terminal-based hacking game using real UNIX
commands and abstractions of real hacking processes. In addition to
acclaim from gamers, the education industry has also taken notice.
SIMTecT Australia applauded
its educational applications in teaching technical and digital
security skills and awarded the game its Serious Games Indie award
for simulation and education game products in August 2015.
Trobbiani, aka Team Fractal Alligator, developed Hacknet over
the course of three years in the spare time from his job developing
military simulation software. Picked up by Australian indie label,
Surprise Attack Games, it
launched on PC on August 12, 2015. Trobbiani is now dedicated 100%
to supporting and expanding the game. Support for Mac and Linux is
expected by end of the year whilst his development wish-list
includes mod support, localisation and a discreet competitive
multiplayer mode.
Australian fans can meet Matt in person at PAX Australia, where
it will be exhibited as part of the PAX Australian Indie
Showcase.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hacknet, a hacking game for PC, has grossed more than
AU$650,000 since launch.
- More than 60,000 gamers have purchased the “niche”
game.
- SimTecT Australia recognised the game’s educational value
with its Serious Games Indie award.
- Australian solo developer, Matt Trobbiani, has quit his job to
go full-time indie.
- The killer soundtrack to the game has today launched via Steam
and Bandcamp.
- Available now for PC, support for Mac and Linux to be added
before the end of 2015.
- On sale in Steam’s Midweek Madness promotion now with 25%
discount.
- Hacknet is exhibiting at PAX Australia in Melbourne from Oct 30
- Nov 1
------------ ENDS ------------
Media Assets: Available via our
press kit()
Press Builds: review builds available now. Request
a Steam code via
distribute()
Price: US $9.99
Soundtrack Price: US $9.99
Deluxe Edition (game + soundtrack): US $14.99
Contact: for questions or interviews, please
contact
[email protected]
LINKS:
Website:
http://www.hacknet-os.com
Press Kit:
http://surpriseattackgames.com/presskit/sheet.php?p=Hacknet
Trailer:
https://youtu.be/FgDmU7Pb96Y
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/hacknetOS
Purchase Links:
Steam:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/365450/
Humble:
https://www.humblebundle.com/store/p/hacknet_storefront
GOG:
http://www.gog.com/game/hacknet
MORE INFO ON HACKNET
Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for
PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a
recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the
accident the media reports. Using old school command prompts and
real hacking processes, you’ll solve the mystery with minimal
hand-holding and a rich world full of secrets to explore.
Bit, a hacker responsible for creating the most invasive
security system on the planet, is dead. When he fails to reconnect
to his system for 14 days, his failsafe kicks in, sending
instructions in automated emails to a lone user. As that
user, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery and ensure that
Hacknet-OS doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Exploring the volatile nature of personal privacy, the
prevalence of corporate greed, and the hidden powers of hackers on
the internet, Hacknet delivers a true hacking simulation, while
offering a support system that allows total beginners get a grasp
of the real-world applications and commands found throughout the
game.
Hacknet is available now on PC via Steam and the Humble Store.
Mac and Linux versions were heavily requested after the
announcement of the game and the developer is now working on
supporting those platforms as soon as possible.
KEY FEATURES
Real hacking: based on actual UNIX commands,
Hacknet focuses on real hacking, not the Hollywood-style version of
it. This creates a truly immersive experience and puts players
right in the thick of trying to break through the firewalls.
Unlock the mystery of Bit: a hacker is dead and
the media reports don’t add up. When you are contacted by his
“ghost” - an automated failsafe system - you’re
drawn into the dark and murky world of underground hackers.
Full immersion: you are thrust into a persistent
virtual world with no “levels” or obvious game elements
to break the illusion. Follow the guidance of the emails from Bit
or just dive down the rabbit hole, chasing down clues and snippets
of information you find as you explore different systems.
Accessible but uncompromising: whilst not holding
your hand or dumbing down, the design of the game and the learning
curve enables those with no prior terminal experience to enjoy it
whilst delighting those in the know.
Killer tunes: hack to the beat of a soundtrack
featuring underground artists including Carpenter Brut (Hotline
Miami) and Rémi Gallego (of The Algorithm).
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