Developer here! Doing a free promotion via FAAD for several days. Now with online multiplayer goodness. Hope you like it and let me know if you have any feedback! PWN: Combat Hacking PWN is a multiplayer strategy game about competitive computer hacking. Battle your rivals to take over networks using vi… TouchArcade Rating: $2.99 Buy Now Watch Media DetailsPWN is a multiplayer strategy game about competitive computer hacking. Battle your rivals to take over networks using viruses, trojans, and backdoors like you were in a retro-futuristic hacker movie."Smart, highly addictive, and competitive strategy/puzzle action" - 148 Apps (Editor's Choice)"The experience is simply exquisite. Such tension, such drama...it's just perfect...PWN: Combat Hacking is what I want hacking to be." - Kotaku"A ludicrously chaotic, quick-fire take on the real-time strategy genre, delivering plentiful amounts of rich, strategically satisfying tactical action" - PocketGamer (Silver Award)In this fast real-time strategy game you face off against other elite hackers within a 3D cyberspace and blast each other off the grid by tactical use of computer viruses, trojans, and spikes. Defend your own nodes with encryption, firewalls, and scanners. And watch out for hidden traps like backdoors that can decimate your network from within. Become the notorious computer hacker you always wanted to be.- Real-time, player vs. player tactical hacking battles- Eight hacker characters to choose from, each with a special skill proficiency- Infiltrate maze-like three-dimensional network grids- 10+ hours of single-player campaigns where you take out other hackers, learn and upgrade various hacking skills, and finally compete in a huge tournament- Online and Local multiplayer- Now with cross-platform multiplayer - download in the Mac App Store and play against friends on their phone!- iCloud support- Widescreen support- 90 different maps to battle on- No actual coding/hacking knowledge required! Information Seller: Genre:Action, Strategy Release:Mar 14, 2013 Updated:Nov 30, -0001 Version: Size:0.0 TouchArcade Rating: User Rating: (14) Your Rating:unrated Compatibility:HD Universal Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel Subscribe to the TouchArcade YouTube channel SyKot Well-Known Member Sep 10, 2012 55 0 0 #2 SyKot, Jun 24, 2013 Recommended, very unique game. The dev recently added Online Multiplayer undeadcow Well-Known Member Dec 4, 2010 9,493 2 36 Houston, TX #3 undeadcow, Jun 24, 2013 +1; this is a unique and fun dexterity based strategy game. AnarKitty Well-Known Member Oct 10, 2010 3,654 0 0 Minneapolis, USA #4 AnarKitty, Jun 24, 2013 A strong recommendation from me, too. I like the genre, and this is good. Habakuk Well-Known Member Dec 11, 2008 4,779 9 38 Vienna, Austria http://rossau.wordpress.com #5 Habakuk, Jun 24, 2013 Although I would call myself a fairly experienced rts gamer (favorite genre tower defense) I couldn't win the training module in three attempts. Although there is some help… Too much is going on, too many features at once. Please add some super-easy missions for beginners that give them some feeling of success. The game looks awesome, the music and effect sounds are okay, the value and grade of polish seem to be great—but no fun for me so far. Question: What about the IAPs? Do I have to buy something for real money for being able to win? easmussen82 Well-Known Member Jan 2, 2011 221 0 0 independent iOS developer #6 easmussen82, Jun 24, 2013 Developer here. Sorry about the training module - if you hit pause you can skip it and go right to the campaign, where it starts you out on a super-simple map and just one power (encryption). Certainly, something's not right with the game if the training module is harder than the first mission. What should happen is that the AI adjusts to your speed and progress, so that you're kept in a back-and-forth battle until all powers are explained, and then the AI drastically backs off and allows you to defeat it. So I'd love to know some more details about your experience - did the AI beat you, or did you give up because it felt like a stalemate? Did you ever get a chance to see the Firewall explained? That's the last part of the tutorial, and maybe there's a bug that stopped that step from happening. Originally the tutorial was much more basic, but then I had the problem that some players quit early in the campaign because they thought it was just a simple node-tapping game. So I wanted to at least introduce some of the complexity and strategy up front, but it's very possible I took it too far. Again, any specific details or complaints would be very helpful for me to tune the game! It's hard for me to balance perfectly without a huge QA team behind me, so this kind of feedback is extremely valuable. Note on the IAPs: They were added after I decided to try out a big free sale. They unlock characters and maps that you can unlock for free just by playing the game. They were basically the last thing added. I'm worried that some players may think the game difficulty was ramped up to make players want to just pay to unlock the characters, but I can assure you the difficulty is tuned to provide the most fun and challenge, not to squeeze out purchases from frustrated players. morgantj Well-Known Member Dec 8, 2011 230 0 0 Computer Specialist #7 morgantj, Jun 24, 2013 I got this game when it game out and it is excellent, It has never left my ipad. I totally recommend trying it. slammajamma28 Well-Known Member Feb 1, 2013 729 1 18 Software Developer 'Murrica #8 slammajamma28, Jun 24, 2013 This is a lot of fun for sure!!! I'm really enjoying it! easmussen82 Well-Known Member Jan 2, 2011 221 0 0 independent iOS developer #9 easmussen82, Jun 24, 2013 Thanks both! Just a friendly reminder, if you're liking the game, tell one of your friends to get it too! I'm a solo developer so word of mouth is extremely important for me. : ) _Max_ Well-Known Member Apr 19, 2012 1,500 0 0 #10 _Max_, Jun 24, 2013 Yeah, a good game, ^ you got my support Appletini Well-Known Member Jan 8, 2011 2,564 0 0 Ankh-Morpork #11 Appletini, Jun 24, 2013 We'll tell them once the sale is over. ^_- Habakuk Well-Known Member Dec 11, 2008 4,779 9 38 Vienna, Austria http://rossau.wordpress.com #12 Habakuk, Jun 25, 2013 Okay. Will try that asap. I don't remember exactly. I had the feeling that the AI was much faster than I and did things I didn't understand and didn't know how to avoid/fight/defend. I could not win. And I thought: When I can't win the training level I don't even dare to try a regular level. Good to know, thanks. easmussen82 Well-Known Member Jan 2, 2011 221 0 0 independent iOS developer #13 easmussen82, Jun 25, 2013 Ah, thanks! So what happened is that the AI in the tutorial starts acting very aggressive if you're about to beat it before the tutorial has a chance to explain all the powers. I can totally see how that would make people think that they missed some critical piece of information. I'll definitely find a different way to deal with that situation. So you can either skip the tutorial entirely, or just take your time until you've seen all four powers explained. Then you should be able to win easily. TeflonDonbot Member Feb 10, 2013 12 0 0 #14 TeflonDonbot, Jun 26, 2013 This game is really fun and challenging. Definitely recommending to others. I did notice a strange sound bug when I first started playing. When my screen automatically turns off or if I press the home button (I'm not 100% sure which actually caused it), then re-enter the app, some of the menu sounds become really loud. Like max volume when I'm selecting a stage. Exiting the app fixed it but it was disturbing others around me for a moment lol. I hope this helps. I'm happy to support independent developers that make fun games. easmussen82 Well-Known Member Jan 2, 2011 221 0 0 independent iOS developer #15 easmussen82, Jun 26, 2013 Glad you like it! Thanks for helping spread the word as well, it's very much appreciated. I think you can fix the sound issue by going into your device's settings, go to the sound menu, and turn 'change with buttons' to on. Let me know if this helps. The problem is partly because I'm using the 'system sounds' option to play sound effects, which is low latency and allows for the player to hear SFX while playing their own music from another app, but unfortunately also causes some strange behavior. I'll probably change this in the future. slammajamma28 Well-Known Member Feb 1, 2013 729 1 18 Software Developer 'Murrica #16 slammajamma28, Jun 26, 2013 Last edited: Jun 26, 2013 Glitch Campaign. I want to murder the Mainframe and Optik battles. They capture nodes so quickly and I don't understand why. Honestly, Optik just captured an encrypted node in a split second without any overclocked nodes. easmussen82 Well-Known Member Jan 2, 2011 221 0 0 independent iOS developer #17 easmussen82, Jun 26, 2013 A couple notes on this: - Right now, overclock is overpowered and am lowering its strength in a version to be launched in a few days. - Is your Encryption skill at level 3? - The map vs. Optik (called 'lab') is a very hard map - the connections are maze-like and this makes it much easier for the AI to detect ways to isolate nodes than for a human. I'll probably tweak the map in a future version to make it less confusing. - Optik has a tough combination of powers - firewalls to block your virus specialty, scanners to heal any virus damage, and overclock to burn though your encryption defenses. Maybe using more Spikes would be a good approach? If you take out two node boosts (e.g. an overclock and a scanner) with one Spike you can regain ground pretty quickly. Also, if you capture an overclock, maybe replace it immediately with an Encrypted node. It's better to do that than allowing your enemy to regain it and use it against you. - Mainframe is very hard, but is also optional. I left a few of these extra-challenge maps in to give players something to reach for. : ) Hope this helps! slammajamma28 Well-Known Member Feb 1, 2013 729 1 18 Software Developer 'Murrica #18 slammajamma28, Jun 26, 2013 Thanks for your reply, very helpful. I tried a few more times, and failed. But then something clicked and I rolled on through. Mainframe seems damn near impossible though! A few more tries and I'll just give it up and continue onto the tournament!!! HAHAH beat it!!! I need to complain more often. It always seems like I do WAY better after crying about it! easmussen82 Well-Known Member Jan 2, 2011 221 0 0 independent iOS developer #19 easmussen82, Jun 26, 2013 Good to hear! Yeah sometimes you have to mentally internalize the map layout in order to maximize your strategy. I intentionally made certain maps particularly difficult, because it seems to create this huge tension and amazing payoff when you finally persevere. Looks like you just hit this point : ) I don't think a lot of games these days create this effect! That's what's missing in games that are too easy. TeflonDonbot Member Feb 10, 2013 12 0 0 #20 TeflonDonbot, Jun 26, 2013 Oh, that makes so much sense now! Thank you for the tip (You must log in or sign up to post here.) Show Ignored Content Share This Page Tweet Your name or email address: Do you already have an account? No, create an account now. Yes, my password is: Forgot your password? Stay logged in
Although I would call myself a fairly experienced rts gamer (favorite genre tower defense) I couldn't win the training module in three attempts. Although there is some help… Too much is going on, too many features at once. Please add some super-easy missions for beginners that give them some feeling of success. The game looks awesome, the music and effect sounds are okay, the value and grade of polish seem to be great—but no fun for me so far. Question: What about the IAPs? Do I have to buy something for real money for being able to win?
Developer here. Sorry about the training module - if you hit pause you can skip it and go right to the campaign, where it starts you out on a super-simple map and just one power (encryption). Certainly, something's not right with the game if the training module is harder than the first mission. What should happen is that the AI adjusts to your speed and progress, so that you're kept in a back-and-forth battle until all powers are explained, and then the AI drastically backs off and allows you to defeat it. So I'd love to know some more details about your experience - did the AI beat you, or did you give up because it felt like a stalemate? Did you ever get a chance to see the Firewall explained? That's the last part of the tutorial, and maybe there's a bug that stopped that step from happening. Originally the tutorial was much more basic, but then I had the problem that some players quit early in the campaign because they thought it was just a simple node-tapping game. So I wanted to at least introduce some of the complexity and strategy up front, but it's very possible I took it too far. Again, any specific details or complaints would be very helpful for me to tune the game! It's hard for me to balance perfectly without a huge QA team behind me, so this kind of feedback is extremely valuable. Note on the IAPs: They were added after I decided to try out a big free sale. They unlock characters and maps that you can unlock for free just by playing the game. They were basically the last thing added. I'm worried that some players may think the game difficulty was ramped up to make players want to just pay to unlock the characters, but I can assure you the difficulty is tuned to provide the most fun and challenge, not to squeeze out purchases from frustrated players.
I got this game when it game out and it is excellent, It has never left my ipad. I totally recommend trying it.
Thanks both! Just a friendly reminder, if you're liking the game, tell one of your friends to get it too! I'm a solo developer so word of mouth is extremely important for me. : )
Okay. Will try that asap. I don't remember exactly. I had the feeling that the AI was much faster than I and did things I didn't understand and didn't know how to avoid/fight/defend. I could not win. And I thought: When I can't win the training level I don't even dare to try a regular level. Good to know, thanks.
Ah, thanks! So what happened is that the AI in the tutorial starts acting very aggressive if you're about to beat it before the tutorial has a chance to explain all the powers. I can totally see how that would make people think that they missed some critical piece of information. I'll definitely find a different way to deal with that situation. So you can either skip the tutorial entirely, or just take your time until you've seen all four powers explained. Then you should be able to win easily.
This game is really fun and challenging. Definitely recommending to others. I did notice a strange sound bug when I first started playing. When my screen automatically turns off or if I press the home button (I'm not 100% sure which actually caused it), then re-enter the app, some of the menu sounds become really loud. Like max volume when I'm selecting a stage. Exiting the app fixed it but it was disturbing others around me for a moment lol. I hope this helps. I'm happy to support independent developers that make fun games.
Glad you like it! Thanks for helping spread the word as well, it's very much appreciated. I think you can fix the sound issue by going into your device's settings, go to the sound menu, and turn 'change with buttons' to on. Let me know if this helps. The problem is partly because I'm using the 'system sounds' option to play sound effects, which is low latency and allows for the player to hear SFX while playing their own music from another app, but unfortunately also causes some strange behavior. I'll probably change this in the future.
Glitch Campaign. I want to murder the Mainframe and Optik battles. They capture nodes so quickly and I don't understand why. Honestly, Optik just captured an encrypted node in a split second without any overclocked nodes.
A couple notes on this: - Right now, overclock is overpowered and am lowering its strength in a version to be launched in a few days. - Is your Encryption skill at level 3? - The map vs. Optik (called 'lab') is a very hard map - the connections are maze-like and this makes it much easier for the AI to detect ways to isolate nodes than for a human. I'll probably tweak the map in a future version to make it less confusing. - Optik has a tough combination of powers - firewalls to block your virus specialty, scanners to heal any virus damage, and overclock to burn though your encryption defenses. Maybe using more Spikes would be a good approach? If you take out two node boosts (e.g. an overclock and a scanner) with one Spike you can regain ground pretty quickly. Also, if you capture an overclock, maybe replace it immediately with an Encrypted node. It's better to do that than allowing your enemy to regain it and use it against you. - Mainframe is very hard, but is also optional. I left a few of these extra-challenge maps in to give players something to reach for. : ) Hope this helps!
Thanks for your reply, very helpful. I tried a few more times, and failed. But then something clicked and I rolled on through. Mainframe seems damn near impossible though! A few more tries and I'll just give it up and continue onto the tournament!!! HAHAH beat it!!! I need to complain more often. It always seems like I do WAY better after crying about it!
Good to hear! Yeah sometimes you have to mentally internalize the map layout in order to maximize your strategy. I intentionally made certain maps particularly difficult, because it seems to create this huge tension and amazing payoff when you finally persevere. Looks like you just hit this point : ) I don't think a lot of games these days create this effect! That's what's missing in games that are too easy.