Would it be possible for Crate to implement encrypted save files that can’t be hacked or modified, with the option to decrypt the files for those who like to hack and modify their saved games?
The idea is that all data would initially be encrypted (e.g., saved to an encrypted zip file). If the player is playing a game with encrypted files then a small “Locked” icon would appear on their screen. If a player chooses to decrypt their saved data then the current file system would be used and an “Unlocked” icon would appear on their screen. The “Locked” and “Unlocked” icons would also be visible to all players in a multiplayer session and the host of a multiplayer session would have the choice to exclude players who have decrypted their files.
Of course the whole point of encrypted save files is to improve the integrity of the game, especially for those who enjoy multiplayer.
unfortunately there will probably be no way to stop those who wish to hack/ cheat in this game as everything is stored local. the benefit of this though is that eventually we will be able to modify to our hearts content new items, classes, maps, etc etc. Something that was prevalent before the dawn of paid DLC’s.
Grim Dawn brings back a day where online multiplayer was in addition to a single player campaign.
Bottom line is if someone wants to cheat that’s there own choice and you shouldn’t let it affect your game play. Perhaps in the future the devs might identify cheaters in multiplayer games with some sort of visual cue. I vaguely remember in Sacred that if your save file was shown to be modified your character would have the head of a bunny or something in multiplayer.
If you want a cheat free and ultimately more rewarding multiplayer experience for yourself, I would recommend creating locked multiplayer games with only people you come to know.
the files are encrypted… the hacking is happening in RAM, which circumvents the whole decryption / encryption.
I am not aware of a tool that allows editing the char yet (GD Defiler is not yet out) but if you know the format you can decrypt it, change it and encrypt it again. This offers only a very limited protection compared to unencrypted files. It really will not make any difference. The only thing that would help would be closed servers.
Key word here is help because even closed servers can’t completely eliminate cheating and there are various forms of cheating that it can’t prevent at all simply because of how they work.
Though none of this matters at all because the only time cheating effects anyone other than the person cheating is if they join a game with people who don’t want to cheat.
Some players want the multi-player to be tailored specifically to their needs. So they never have to find like minded people to play with. Kind of selfish and lazy if you ask me.
You don’t even need to encrypt the files after you decrypt them when the key is stored in the file itself glares at Rhis… Some of us have had private character editors for months now. The only way to prevent cheating is to make a completely closed server similar to how battle.net works. However, even with the closed server you can still dupe and spoof packets. Mods would also be extremely limited if they existed at all in the closed servers.
Might be a good start to make the save file 1 file instead of all these parts you can mix and match. Then you can’t repeat quests.
You could prevent duping by using unique item ID’s(think Ultima online does that). But that could be kind of intensive.
Personally I think having a few more stash tabs would prevent cheating in that way. I know devs don’t want us to stash more then 1 of every item. But honestly to save 1 of each good blue and purple I currently need 3 or 4 chars.
Can’t really prevent memory hacks, or mods. But you’re right if people wanna do it they will anyway. But what others do is not the point. For me personally it is less tempting to cheat if it’s not made so easy.
Sorry for not being clear on this, but I was hoping it was obviously that the developers wouldn’t provide the tools to re-encrypt the files. Decrypting your save game files would be a one way ticket.
Also, I understand that there would be other ways to cheat. But, I still think it is worthwhile to take very simple steps like this in order to deter the vast majority of cheating. For example, cheating occurs in every MMO. But, just imagine what a disaster it would be if the developers of a MMO did nothing to try to stop it.
In an MMO people who cheat affect you. I don’t see how these people an affect you in Grim Dawn. Is it only a thought? “They’re cheating, I don’t see it but I know, my precious, this is ruining the gameplay experience for me”.
Also, what do you prefer? Having devs spending time to try and stop cheating (which will not work anyway, modders being more numerous) or spending time on adding new features?
the developers did not provide tools to decrypt or encrypt, yet we can do so. What’s more, people edit chars in RAM avoiding the whole encryption issue altogether…
Encryption makes no difference, as has been proven already.
Also, I understand that there would be other ways to cheat. But, I still think it is worthwhile to take very simple steps like this in order to deter the vast majority of cheating.
Do you even read the replies ?
these steps have already been taken, obviously they accomplished nothing
Or…people can just play with friends who don’t cheat and live and let live. If you open public games and notice a cheater, leave. If you make a game and a cheater joins, ban them.
