What can you do with your code when it comes to cheating?
Securing game code from hackers is a challenging task due to their access to various tools and expertise. But here are some strategies that you can consider to hide your code and make it more difficult for hackers to exploit:
Obfuscation: Use code obfuscation techniques to make the game code harder to understand and reverse engineer. This involves intentionally complicating the code structure without changing its functionality.
Implement server authority and encryption: This approach helps the server to maintain ultimate control over the game state, ensuring that all communication between the server and client remains secure and encrypted. By enforcing server authority and encryption, common types of cheating like speed hacks, aimbots, wallhacks, and packet manipulation can be thwarted effectively. This is achieved by restricting the client's access to game information and control. For instance, the server can authenticate the client's input and output, validate game rules and physics, and conceal the positions and statuses of other players until they are within the client's view
Server-Side Verification: Offload sensitive game logic and verification processes to server-side systems, reducing the exposure of critical code on client devices.
Dynamic Code Loading: Load code dynamically during runtime to prevent hackers from easily analyzing and tampering with the entire codebase at once.
Code Splitting: Divide the game logic into smaller modules and load them dynamically as needed, making it harder for hackers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire codebase.
Regularly testing and auditing the game
Regularly testing and auditing the game is another effective measure to combat cheating and hacking. This process involves game developers and testers systematically examining the game for bugs, glitches, exploits, and vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cheaters or hackers. By conducting routine tests and audits, potential issues can be detected and addressed before they pose significant threats. Furthermore, this practice can enhance the overall quality and performance of the game. Testing and auditing procedures may encompass various techniques, including unit testing, integration testing, stress testing, penetration testing, code review, and gathering user feedback.
The most important measure is implementing an anti-cheat system.
Building an in-house anti-cheat team can be challenging and costly, so opting for a third-party anti-cheat system is often the best choice. A robust anti-cheat system can monitor the game's processes and memory for suspicious activities, such as altering game values or injecting code. If the software detects any suspicious behavior, it can either block the cheat or ban the player.
While completely eradicating cheating in online games may be challenging, employing a combination of these strategies along with a reliable anti-cheat solution can significantly reduce cheating incidents and enhance the gaming experience for your players. In the future, remember to use these measures to fortify your game against potential threats. Through these efforts, we hope to foster a safe and fair gaming environment.
References：
Matthew Pritchard. (2000). How to Hurt the Hackers: The Scoop on Internet Cheating and How You Can Combat It.
Online Gaming. What are some effective ways to prevent cheating and hacking in online multiplayer games?.
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