A hacking sandbox on a shared network
Grey Hack drops you into a vast network of procedurally generated computers and gives you full freedom to act as you wish. You start with a File Explorer, a Terminal and a Text Editor, and as your skills improve you find new utilities to install and use. Every network in the world has a different configuration, size and security, backed by a dynamic exploit system, so each target poses a different challenge. The Terminal is central to everything: it runs on real UNIX commands, and the commands and exploits are built with the scripting language available in the game, which means you can modify existing commands, write your own, or build exploits when the ones in the world do not fit your needs.
Playing together in an always-online world
The online universe keeps running 24/7, so the changes you make to any computer stay visible to other players even after you log off. Your progress is saved, but your actions may have consequences for everyone. Groups can form guilds and organize attacks against other players, take on commissioned missions to earn money and reputation, or publish web pages to share creations. Each network demands study: use social engineering, scan for administrator flaws that open a backdoor, test different exploits, and cover your tracks when you are done. The game also offers a single player mode, where you play in a world created on your own computer and the universe stops when you exit.
Before you start
Grey Hack is in Beta phase version 0.9, and the developer keeps a roadmap on the Steam forum where suggestions are welcome through the Steam forums or Discord. The game supports community translations, with language packs created by other players available on Steam Workshop. It is intended to be played in Multiplayer Mode to benefit from the always-online universe, though single player is there for those who prefer it. The experience is non-linear: you progress at your own pace, whether you focus on guild attacks, commissioned missions, or exploring the world for special missions and hidden secrets.