Hacknet
Released Aug 2015
Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports.
93% positive · 26K reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam Lowest $1.49 $9.99 −85% Green Man Gaming Steam key $9.99
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Evaluation
Hacknet launched on August 12, 2015 as a complete, standalone terminal-based hacking simulator. Its one paid story expansion, Hacknet – Labyrinths, was announced in August 2016, delayed from late 2016 to March 2017, and ultimately released on March 31, 2017. A companion soundtrack for the expansion also shipped the same day. Shortly after, on May 23, 2017, the developer released Hacknet Extensions — a major free update adding Steam Workshop and mod tools, allowing players to create and share custom campaigns. That update was accompanied by a patch (June 4, 2017) adding mod tooling improvements. The last developer communication of any kind was that June 4, 2017 patch. All three DLC items on the store are released, no unreleased content is listed, and there have been no developer posts of any kind since June 2017. The developer made no announcement of future content after shipping Extensions, and the Extensions launch post reads as a natural conclusion to post-launch support — opening the game up to community-created content rather than teasing further first-party development. With no sustained pattern of ongoing updates and nearly nine years of silence since the last communication (last post on June 4, 2017), Hacknet is a complete product.
Evidence
Hacknet Extensions and Steam Workshop support released — a major free update enabling community-created campaigns and mod tools. This is the final first-party content shipped for the game.
Hacknet – Labyrinths expansion released on PC, Mac, and Linux. Developer noted they would fix launch-week bugs and then focus on mod support, with no mention of further paid content.
Content
3 of 3 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Fellow Traveller
Achievements
11
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Players
Single-player
About this game
Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports. Using old school command prompts and real hacking processes, you’ll solve the mystery with minimal hand-holding and a rich world full of secrets to explore.
Bit, a hacker responsible for creating the most invasive security system on the planet, is dead. When he fails to reconnect to his system for 14 days, his failsafe kicks in, sending instructions in automated emails to a lone user. As that user, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery and ensure that Hacknet-OS doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Exploring the volatile nature of personal privacy, the prevalence of corporate greed, and the hidden powers of hackers on the internet, Hacknet delivers a true hacking simulation, while offering a support system that allows total beginners get a grasp of the real-world applications and commands found throughout the game.
Real Hacking
Based on actual UNIX commands, Hacknet focuses on real hacking, not the Hollywood-style version of it. This creates a truly immersive experience and puts players right in the thick of trying to break through the firewalls.
Unlock the mystery of Bit
A hacker is dead and the media reports don’t add up. When you are contacted by his “ghost” - an automated failsafe system - you’re drawn into the dark and murky world of underground hackers.
Full immersion
You are thrust into a persistent virtual world with no “levels” or obvious game elements to break the illusion. Follow the guidance of the emails from Bit or just dive down the rabbit hole, chasing down clues and snippets of information you find as you explore different systems.
Accessible but uncompromising
Whilst not holding your hand or dumbing down, the design of the game and the learning curve enables those with no prior terminal experience to enjoy it whilst delighting those in the know.
Killer tunes
Hack to the beat of a soundtrack featuring underground artists including Carpenter Brut (Hotline Miami) and Remi Gallego (AKA The Algorithm).
Soundtrack produced in association with The Otherworld Agency.
Hack your own adventures
Create your own campaigns, system networks, nodes, themes, music and story missions using the Hacknet Extensions mod tools. Share them with other players through Steam Workshop.
Bit, a hacker responsible for creating the most invasive security system on the planet, is dead. When he fails to reconnect to his system for 14 days, his failsafe kicks in, sending instructions in automated emails to a lone user. As that user, it’s up to you to unravel the mystery and ensure that Hacknet-OS doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Exploring the volatile nature of personal privacy, the prevalence of corporate greed, and the hidden powers of hackers on the internet, Hacknet delivers a true hacking simulation, while offering a support system that allows total beginners get a grasp of the real-world applications and commands found throughout the game.
Features
Real Hacking
Based on actual UNIX commands, Hacknet focuses on real hacking, not the Hollywood-style version of it. This creates a truly immersive experience and puts players right in the thick of trying to break through the firewalls.
Unlock the mystery of Bit
A hacker is dead and the media reports don’t add up. When you are contacted by his “ghost” - an automated failsafe system - you’re drawn into the dark and murky world of underground hackers.
Full immersion
You are thrust into a persistent virtual world with no “levels” or obvious game elements to break the illusion. Follow the guidance of the emails from Bit or just dive down the rabbit hole, chasing down clues and snippets of information you find as you explore different systems.
Accessible but uncompromising
Whilst not holding your hand or dumbing down, the design of the game and the learning curve enables those with no prior terminal experience to enjoy it whilst delighting those in the know.
Killer tunes
Hack to the beat of a soundtrack featuring underground artists including Carpenter Brut (Hotline Miami) and Remi Gallego (AKA The Algorithm).
Soundtrack produced in association with The Otherworld Agency.
Hack your own adventures
Create your own campaigns, system networks, nodes, themes, music and story missions using the Hacknet Extensions mod tools. Share them with other players through Steam Workshop.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 28, 2026
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