Introduction

So you want to hack game files eh?

I suppose many readers may be wondering why they should bother?
Successfully hacking into a game can be interesting and even fun for some people.
You may discover something that was disabled in the game like different weapons, graphics or even levels.
Take for example the game Doom 2, according to some, there is actually more than 2 secret levels (which you can't normally/easily access when you play the game!).
(Hat tipped to Richard for that one)

Generally there are several reasons that people decide to create a hack for a game,

• To gain advantages in a difficult game, also known as cheating....
• To disadvantage yourself in an easy game, also known as creating a handicap.
• Just for the hell of it. In a game that you have beaten, a good hack can give it new life.
• To gain 15 minutes of fame - if your hack gets published in a computer magazine.
• To gain money from the computer magazine who printed your hack.

What equipment is needed?
The obvious equipment would be:
A computer and one or more games.

You will also need:

• A hex / disk editor, (and know how to use it)
• Some knowledge of Hexadecimal and Machine code, (this manual is a start)
• A pen and paper,. (to make notes of your discoveries)
• A lot of time! (don't always expect the cheat to work first time)

Notes: This manual will simply show how to do the most basic of hack's, mainly of save game files.
Since most games vary in there structure - creating more advanced hacks would be impossible to describe (and may be beyond my knowledge).
If you wish attempt more advanced game hacks I suggest learning how to program in machine code and assembler, as more complex hack's require you to physically rewrite parts of a game whilst leaving other parts intact.