Cheat Engine

[Niko]

Hi all.

I know cheat engine is mainly used for game hacking and such, and I know I shouldn't mention online stuff. But is there a general way to hack stuff that is in the game files, but is locked by a specific code. Like skins, or vehicles, or anything like that, that you can't have unless you've pre-purchased the game itself. Maybe there are some addresses you need to find. But there are billions of instructions and addresses in a game. So how do hackers know exactly which ones are responsible for these unlocks? Even if you find the difference between locked and unlocked stuff in codes, what do you do with it? I have posted something similar on another discussion, there I specified a game and such. I don't exactly know if this is against forum rules or something, I haven't found anything similar. I'm rather asking for the general method in which these hacks are done. Anyways any answers would be appreciated.

[STN]

I highly doubt its the job of a memory searcher so CE is out of question. Another thing that is very likely is steam(or origin or whatever other DD platform) will NOT download those files without confirming on their servers whether you are eligible to get them (pre-purchase etc.).

Scene groups have suppliers who supply them with legit material first for them to crack (pre-load for example that is how they release a crack almost at the same time as game's release date or before), i don't think steam is that stupid to download special content without first making sure the user has ordered it, it will be a waste of bandwidth and there is a chance of doing what you're asking. Indeed, some of the DLC content i have downloaded (not so legally) is GBs in size and my original steam installation has been less in size. So this is definitely how steam deals with special content.

Supposing the special content is downloaded but locked, I think the locked content is actually encrypted rather than just simply using a flag (locked or not locked) and the decryption key is client side because otherwise sceners would not be able to release before game's official date. But they also have some sources which get their hands on a full copy of game way before release date so there's that.


PS: I don't know if this kind of question is even allowed as it deals with cracking a game.

[Niko]

[pellik]

I wouldn't shrug off the concept as easily as STN. There are many developers out there who really have no concept of what can be accomplished with a debugger and what steps are required to defend against it.

Small DLC is frequently crackable. Special items you have to pay for in a single player game are often fully included and the DLC just adds to your inventory.

You can also unlock specific DLC features without the DLC in many cases. For example, in the Crusader Kings series it's possible to jump past the 'can not play x faction without x DLC' checks. You just won't have access to some of the faction specific game mechanics that the DLC adds (Muslim factions have decadence in the DLC, but without DLC they are just normal factions).

[whipsmack]

It obviously depends on how the game blocks you from the content, but if it's just simple "security through obscurity" protection, you could look for existing patterns and try to exploit those.

To use a simple example: if you have a wooden sword, find your equipment address and notice patterns as you go to bronze and iron, you might find that changing the value beyond the best normal item's value gives you stuff you shouldn't have.