Hackmud cover
Hackmud screenshot
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Genre: Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Indie

Hackmud

Soft Reset, Hardline Engage
[p]Hello hackmudders![/p][p][/p][p]We've been hard at work hacking stuff together and are thrilled to announce a major update! The centerpiece is the official launch of our Original Soundtrack Vol. 2, crafted by the amazing Ryan Ike. These new tracks, which have been in the works since 2018, join the iconic soundscape created for OST 1 by the legendary Lena Raine.[/p][p]This soundtrack is just one part of a major update that moves us closer to our grander vision for the game, deepens our investment in our community, and kicks off a surprise crossover event.[/p][p][/p]

The Sound: Original Soundtrack Vol. 2

[p]After a lot of hard work and years, we are jazzed that we have finally finished the second volume of the hackmud soundtrack. This update adds a whole bunch of new music to the game, with a heavy emphasis on hardline tracks. Alongside these new additions, we have also brought the original OST 1 hardline tracks back into the game, fully integrated with the new audio system.[/p][p]The Wait Is Over™–Hot off the digital presses, the 1-800-bangerz-only Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 is now available for purchase on bandcamp! If you love how hard it goes as much as we do, you should definitely explore more of Ryan Ike's badass discog on his homepage. The new soundtrack is also available on all major streaming platforms.[/p][p]At the same time, we're thrilled to announce that the legendary Original Soundtrack Vol. 1 by Lena Raine has been added to all major streaming platforms for the first time! You can also purchase it directly on bandcamp, and be sure to check out more of her iconic work on radicaldream.land.[/p][p]We've integrated these new tracks directly into the game's environment, where you will experience them through gameplay, and tracks are tied to the difficulty of content.[/p][p]For those who want more control over their audio experience, this update also adds cool new audio functionality inside the game. Individual tracks can be purchased with bits. Using the new `gui.tracks` command, you can customize your playlists. You can also assign your purchased hardline tracks to your loc using `users.config`, so other players will hear your track selections when they connect. It’s like jamming a mixtape into the boombox strapped to your loc's shoulder![/p][p]Get bits by purchasing them in the store or by trading GC and upgrades. Supporters get the best value: a bonus on all bits purchases and lower trade fees.[/p][p][/p][p]Get the Music: Play the game, find the OSTs on Bandcamp and your favorite Streaming Services: OST1 | OST2[/p][p][/p]

The Vision: A Retro-Futurist RPG

[p]The new soundtrack is a huge part of the game's identity. Alongside it, we want to share how we are aligning the game with its true identity: a retro-futurist RPG.[/p][p]We took our latest big step with the marks system, and we continue today with the addition of priv_store. This acts as a personal safety deposit box for your GC, protecting up to 1B337MGC. The priv_store cannot be retired under any circumstances, so GC stored in your priv_store will be safe if you step away; come back anytime and you’ll have a nest-egg to get you started again. [/p][p]This change is part of a larger philosophy. We believe PvP and multiplayer are the 'danger spice' of hackmud's roleplaying-- but right now, that spice is too spicy, especially for players just starting out or returning. To that end, we have also begun making balance and quality of life changes at the lower tiers to allow people to get into the game with less friction. Some of these changes have already gone live, and we will continue developing the game toward this vision with your support.[/p][p][/p][p]Try it out: Log in now to check out priv_store and experience the new balance changes for yourself.[/p][p][/p]

The Community: Cultivating our Shared Space

[p]It is Pride Month! hackmud is, and always will be, a queer-friendly community. To celebrate, we have been reaching out to underserved and underrepresented communities interested in tech, as well as engineers and professionals recently impacted by the current economic climate. At the time of this announcement, we have given away more than 200 free hackmud keys to awesome partners, local and global: Lambert House, transprogrammers, Hope Adongo School - Kenya, piratesoftware and more, and we are still going! [/p][p]We also want to formally recognize the players who make this community great. We have created the helperbot_v2 role to say “THANKS” to those who consistently help others, and create a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and skill levels. This quarter's awesome helperbot_v2s are: gear, jumpsplat120, marto, sudonym, and zez! Hit 'em with a 🎉 emoji when you see them.[/p][p][/p][p]Get Involved: If you know of a community or organization that we should connect with, please reach out in our discord, or on LinkedIn and let us know.[/p][p][/p]

The Event: A Planned Coincidence

[p]We're incredibly excited to announce our next event: an official hackmud game jam to support Coincidence (the artists formerly known as Zachtronics) with the launch of their new game, Kaizen: A Factory Story![/p][p]We’ve always been huge fans. The games they create strongly align with our own ComCODE mission, so we're hosting this jam right inside hackmud to channel that shared energy and build excitement for their launch.[/p][p]Remember the goal of our jams: "hacking together experiences and other cool stuff." And while community voting can be sweet, the real win is seeing a flood of new creations for everyone to enjoy. The point is to encourage building, sharing, and collaborating.[/p][p][/p][p]Stay Tuned: Follow our social channels (discord, steam) for more information on dates, the theme, and how to participate![/p][p][/p]

Support hackmud & ComCODE's Mission

[p]We've been developing this game for a long time, and now, we're doing it as a non-profit: ComCODE. Supporting ComCODE directly fuels our mission and allows us to continue developing hackmud as a unique RPG that helps people gain skills which last a lifetime.[/p][p]As a supporter, you’ll help secure the game’s future and unlock awesome in-game benefits. Supporters get a bonus on all bits purchases and enjoy reduced trade fees, making it easier to build your collection of cosmetics like tracks, titles and ascii hats.[/p][p]Becoming a supporter is the best way to invest in its continued growth while getting more from the in-game economy. And since ComCODE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, your monthly contributions may be tax-deductible. If your employer offers donation matching, talk to us; your company's contribution can also unlock supporter benefits for you![/p][p][/p][p]Click here to become a ComCODE supporter[/p][p][/p]

Thank You!

[p]Thank you for your incredible support over the years. We can't wait for you to log in, hear the new music, and explore everything we've added. As the influencers say, “Let us know what you think in the comments!”[/p][p]See you in the MUD![/p]

Client Update v2.013
- Added: `scratchcut` (Ctrl/Command + X) - copies text from shell to scratch window.
- Added: `priv_store` - shell command to switch to your priv_store. More details to come; for now, experiment!

Thank you to our ComCODE volunteers and staff for their contributions! `@daniel @dunce @john @kb @marto @seanmakesgames @sudonym`

!!-!%+%&##+#^!^+^%%##+^%%&&&#-!^&#!-#+!#%+%&%+!!%-^#%^--+-!#!^^-&^+##%+!%#!+^^#^&#%-!-#^-%-

Client Update v2.012
- Added: Secure trading of GC for bits and / or upgrades using the new `trade_gc` syntax. GC can be traded in amounts greater than 32B.
- Changed: Upgrades can now be traded for GC or other upgrades as well as any other combination of bits, GC and upgrades.
- Changed: Updates to `trade_add` and `trade_up_info`, and `trade_help` to improve trade UX.
- Changed: `trade_accept` is now hidden until an offer is made, reducing confusion.
- Changed: Macro loading now uses the last definition of a macro name in a file, ensuring predictable behavior.
- Fixed: Script name handling now properly supports valid naming patterns and avoids false "invalid script name" errors.

This trade system offers flexibility for all players. It allows those who support hackmud's development by purchasing bits to exchange them for GC. Conversely, players with accumulated GC can now trade it for bits. The system is supported by a small bits fee that directly helps us pay for servers and development costs.

Thank you to our ComCODE volunteers and staff for their contributions! `@daniel @dunce @fayti1703 @kb @marto @seanmakesgames @sudonym`

&-+%^!^##-##-++^%-%!+^%!--^+^&+^!+^#%%##%-##%%&+%^%-!!!&^&%^!#^!+%+!++--^!!--^%&!-&!#&-!&+#&

Client Update v2.011
- Added: Revamped output and error messages of `#up`
- Added: `gui_reset` documented in `help`
- Added: Terminal effect library augmented. Error code 'TIGERSEYE' logged
- `store_preview`, `end_preview` added to support end-user decision-making
- Added: Blurbs for sub-menus of `store_list`
- Added: Color-coded indicators for locked and purchased goodies in `store_list`
- Fixed: Erroneous usage of `user` did not respect your `gui.notifs` retired userlist settings

Thank you to our ComCODE volunteers and staff for their contributions! `@ActualRemy @chirp @daniel @fayti1703 @flora @ghamb @kb @marto @samual @seanmakesgames @sudonym @tukib @zez`

&!+^&+#!#!%^-+&&%!#^!&-%^^^&--%!#&++^&+!%#%#!%--#^--%!++&%##^-!-#^%^^#!!#!#&-^-^&#+-!#&#+&--

hm_gamejam_v1 has concluded!

hm_gamejam_v1 - That’s a Wrap!



TLDR; Awesome! Check out all of the hm_gamejam_v1 submissions, and get your participation goodies at scripts.register in-game.

Well, that was a wild week. Our first-ever hackmud Game Jam has come to a close, and honestly? Wild success. You all designed, scripted, tested, broke things, fixed them (or didn’t), and somehow shipped a working game in seven days. That’s awesome.

Event Highlights



- Theme: Point of No Return (very dramatic, good job)
- Submissions: We had 22 scripts enter the arena.
- Voting: Over 80 votes cast—some of them probably with regret, but hey, that’s democracy.
- Live Iteration: Unlike normal game jams, we let you edit your script mid-event because constraints are for other people.

What We Learned



This wasn’t just about making games—it was about speedrunning the dev cycle. You brainstormed, built, got feedback, pivoted (or doubled down), and actually shipped something. Some of you even discovered why **scope creep is evil** in real time.

Whether this was your first script or just another week in January, you finished something, and that’s huge.

The Players & Voters



This jam wouldn’t have been what it was without the players and voters. You explored the submissions, pushed buttons, broke things (probably on purpose), and your feedback made these scripts even better. Your votes shaped the event, and your engagement kept the chaos rolling.
Some of you even had to make the tough call of what to upvote and what to downvote—which, let’s be honest, was the real game all along. Whether you were a tester, critic, or just here to see what kind of madness unfolded, you were just as much a part of this jam as the jammers themselves.

Final Thoughts



Did you have fun? Did you suffer? Did you learn something? Hopefully, yes to all three. This jam wasn’t about "winning" (there were no winners, only survivors). It was about creating cool stuff and seeing what everyone else came up with—and you all delivered.

And guess what? We’re doing this again. So keep those scripts warmed up, because there will be more. Probably when you least expect it.

Thanks for making hm_gamejam_v1 legendary. Now go touch some grass.

— ComCODE

P.S.



Here’s some highlights –










hm_gamejam_v1 is LIVE!
The theme is:

Point of No Return



Let this theme inspire you to make whatever your heart desires. Or just make some other dumb meme stuff. There are no minimum skill requirements, the points are made up to encourage you to play, and anything you contribute makes the whole experience better for everyone!

…and one more thing!

EVERY SINGLE USER has been given a PERMANENT SCRIPTING BOOST
Baseline char count has been increased to 2000 chars!
Every user now has 1 public script slot by default.

What the heck is this again anyway?

This is NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL GAME JAM. This is h a c k m u d; so we are doing things our way! Instead of separate submission and voting periods, there will be a 7-day window to submit, play, vote, edit, and ship the best version of your script that matches the game jam theme. Players can vote anytime during the 7-day event window.

  • Submit: Players will be able to register one Game Jam entry per account.
  • Play and Vote: Players can try out scripts and vote anonymously in the CLI.

Voting:

  • Each player gets 3 total votes for the duration of the event per account.
  • Votes can be changed during the event (e.g., switch an upvote to a downvote or vice versa, rescind a vote if you have reached your max votes and wish to change your vote to a different script).
  • Chosen judges will have substantially extra votes - sway them over for their support!

Questions?

Check the FAQ or ask in the community chat. Good luck, and happy hacking!

Event announce here:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/469920/announcements/detail/525332402240749578

ComCODE Newsletter #3
Engaging ComCODE newsletter update process: Zez down, Marks up, Bits booming. $100K achieved. Game Jam on Jan 24th. Access the full log here:

https://givebutter.com/messages/view/4c3e549b-8d82-48c5-8151-e940f4016fad

hm_gamejam_v1


And now for something completely different!

hm_gamejam_v1



This is NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL GAME JAM. This is hackmud; so we are doing things our way! Instead of separate submission and voting periods, there will be a 7-day window to submit, play, vote, edit, and ship the best version of your script that matches the game jam theme. Players can vote throughout the event.

Submit:
Players will be able to register one Game Jam entry per account.

Play and Vote:
Players can try out scripts and vote anonymously in the CLI.

Voting:
> Each player gets 3 total votes for the duration of the event per account.
> Votes can be changed during the event (e.g., switch an upvote to a downvote or vice versa).
> Chosen judges will have substantially extra votes - sway them over for their support!

Want to Join?
Start brainstorming now! The theme will be revealed just before the EVENT_START_TIME on January 24. This event isn’t about winning but about creating and exploring together. Whether you’re a seasoned scripter or just starting out, every contribution matters and adds to the fun.

Questions?
Come find us and ask in our discord. Good luck, and happy scripting!

All participants will receive a starter pack of character counts and script slots. Show up and get yours!

The theme will be announced just before the event starts, and rules will be codified and clarified. Stay tuned!

Client Update v2.010
- Added: Supporters now have their bits bonus displayed in `store_list`
- Added: `gui.notifs { userlist: false }` to hide your userlist (for streaming)
- Changed: The client no longer strips quotes and backslashes in JSON-like output returned as strings from scripts
- e.g. `return "\"foo\": \"bar\""` now displays as expected.
- Fixed: Sometimes, server maintenance errors wouldn't be displayed correctly.
- Fixed: Ctrl+Backspace could sometimes enter a character that breaks rendering

Thank you to our ComCODE volunteers and staff for their contributions! `@ActualRemy @chirp @daniel @fayti1703 @ghamb @john @kb @marto @seanmakesgames @spanospy @sudonym @tukib`

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~~= t h e t a k e =~~ EVENT M E G A M I X
We had an absolute blast watching the chaos unfold. Thank you and congratulations to the community for an incredible show. The takers made off with a solid chunk of change, and a boat load of upgrades!
A sneaky BINMAT update shook things up, and a massive surge of activity spun up the MUD for a fantastic end-of-year PvP raid.

We have put together some highlights for you to watch, and an intrepid investigative journalist has written up an awesome in-game post with quotes from participants and organizers alike. Fire up those clients or kick back and relax while you watch the highlights.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYw3Ex4vMY8

In-game news post: `buffer.overflow read 3efo48`

NOTE: player scripts can potentially be dangerous.
Always check security levels before running unknown scripts

scripts.get_level { name: “buffer.overflow” }

See you next time, in the MUD
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