GIBSON - Hack The Mainframe

A cyberpunk hacking game inspired by the 1995 film Hackers. Fly through cyberspace, infiltrate server towers, evade ICE (security programs), and uncover a conspiracy involving stolen millions and a virus that could cause an environmental catastrophe.

The Story

Something's wrong at Ellingson Mineral Company. Millions of dollars are vanishing through micro-transactions, and someone on the inside is pulling the strings. Your hacker crew has jacked into the Gibson - the most powerful supercomputer in the world - to find the truth.

What you discover is bigger than anyone imagined: The Plague is back, and he's not just stealing money. He's planning something catastrophic.

Features

Gameplay

• Three Difficulty Levels - Script Kiddie (guided), Hacker (balanced), Elite (real hacking knowledge required)
• Terminal Hacking - Command-line interface with ls, cd, cat, decrypt, and more
• Elite Mode Commands - nmap, ssh, hydra, exploit, hashcat for experienced players
• ICE System - Trace programs hunt you as your heat level rises
• Narrative Discovery - Piece together clues to uncover the conspiracy

Environment

• Data Towers - Translucent servers with scrolling code and glitch effects
• Circuit Board Floor - Procedurally generated PCB terrain with animated traces
• Highway Pathways - Glowing connections with traveling data pulses
• Particle Systems - Neurons, data comets, and scanning beams
• Post-Processing - Bloom effects for that classic cyberpunk glow

Story System

• Hacker Comms - Your friends Razor, Blade, Cereal, and Phantom guide you
• Clue Progression - Each discovery leads to the next
• The Plague - Your nemesis taunts you as you get closer to the truth
• Context-Aware Dialog - Crew reacts to your actions, server type, and discoveries
• Difficulty-Specific Tone - From friendly guidance to hardcore technical chatter

Terminal Effects

• ASCII Art Banners - Visual feedback for discoveries and access events
• Progress Bars - Animated decryption and scanning progress
• Matrix Scan - Cascading binary reveal when scanning for hidden files
• Difficulty Styling - Terminal appearance matches difficulty level

Getting Started

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Start development server
npm run dev

# Build for production
npm run build

Controls

Key	Action
W/A/S/D	Fly forward/left/back/right
Space	Fly up
Shift	Fly down
Tab	Boost (3x speed)
Mouse	Look around
Click on Tower	Jack into server
ESC	Jack out / Release mouse

Terminal Commands (when jacked in)

Command	Description
ls	List directory contents
cd <path>	Change directory
cat <file>	Read file contents
scan	Reveal hidden files
decrypt <file>	Decrypt encrypted files
help	Show available commands
exit	Jack out

Elite Mode Commands

Command	Description
nmap <host>	Port scan a target
ssh user@host	Remote shell access
hydra -l user -P wordlist host service	Password cracking
exploit <CVE> <target>	Run an exploit
hashcat -m mode <hash>	Crack password hashes

Difficulty Levels

Each difficulty provides a unique experience with different mechanics, dialog, and visual presentation.

Script Kiddie (Easy)

• Traces: Slow (0.5x speed)
• Decrypt: Auto-works, no password needed
• File Access: All files readable
• Hints: Full command hints on TAB
• Dialog: Friendly, encouraging crew guidance
• Terminal: Guided prompts, command suggestions

Hacker (Medium)

• Traces: Normal speed
• Decrypt: Password required (hinted in-game)
• File Access: All files readable
• Hints: Moderate, context-aware
• Dialog: Balanced technical conversation
• Terminal: Standard terminal interface

Elite (Expert)

• Traces: Fast (1.5x speed), aggressive ICE
• Decrypt: Must crack MD5 hash first using hashcat
• File Access: Sensitive files require ROOT access
• Hints: "You're on your own, hacker"
• Dialog: DEF CON-worthy technical jargon, real exploit references
• Terminal: Realistic Linux environment, pentest workflow

Elite-only mechanics:

• nmap to discover vulnerable services
• hydra to brute-force credentials
• ssh to connect as privileged users
• exploit to leverage CVEs for root shells
• hashcat to crack password hashes

Debug Shortcuts

Hold Shift + key to skip through narrative stages:

Shortcut	Action
Shift+1	Trigger Clue 1: Salami hint
Shift+2	Trigger Clue 2: Money trail
Shift+3	Trigger Clue 3: Plague identity
Shift+4	Trigger Clue 4: Tanker discovery
Shift+5	Trigger Clue 5: Da Vinci virus (endgame)
Shift+0	Victory sequence
Shift+H	Max heat (spawn traces)
Shift+C	Clear heat

Tech Stack

• Three.js - 3D rendering
• Vite - Build tool
• Custom GLSL shaders for floor, pathways, and effects

Walkthrough

See TESTING_WALKTHROUGH.md for a complete guide to all commands and clue locations.

License

MIT

---

"Mess with the best, die like the rest."