![]() This is where the puzzle element of the game really starts to take off. Like many aspects of learning a new programming language, it is often the limitations of that language that dictate how you write a given solution. I found the initial learning curve much steeper than I expected given that I spend most of my time at work coding. ![]() You control EXA’s (Executable Agents) which perform basic tasks, you have simple equality and math operators as well as GOTO style commands that provide the foundations of your code. The hacking itself is fairly basic once you get your head around it. If you need clues on how to hack, that’s where you will find them. They provide printing instructions for you or you can view it digitally in PDF format. Typing is hard….some example chat from EXAPUNKSĮXAPUNKS delivers your hacking instructions via a zine. Where the cut scenes are unable to provide context the in-game chat channel you are connected to provides extra world building along with tips for hacking. Cut scenes are static with good voice over work and subtitles to match. The game has a really cool 1990’s hacker aesthetic and does well to convey story and world building despite the minimal set dressing. In order to pay for your extremely expensive daily medication you are forced to go back to hacking as a means for income. ![]() Many fans have been looking forward to EXAPUNKS, the much awaited successor of SHENZEN I/O.ĮXAPUNKS is a puzzle game in which you, the silent protagonist, have a disease called the Phage. But they no doubt have a cult-like following. You may have heard of some of their other work, Infinifactory and Opus Magnum are both game names I recognize, despite having never played them. If you have never heard about Zachtronics before I wouldn’t blame you, I hadn’t either until recently. With that taken care of, let’s get to EXAPUNKS…. This will make it easier for me to keep to my goal of an article a month but is also an area where I can still provide value, not only to others, but also to myself. So while I work on my critical writing and have it provide some benefit to our industry you’re mostly going to read about why I really like things. In our current global socio-political environment it is easy to be negative, I’d argue it is our default mode now. The net result of those drafts is that they just sounded downright negative. While I had the former two points I often struggled on the latter, which I felt were of the most benefit to the community. In my opinion three things are important to critical analysis which are a set of salient points you wish to make, some cogent arguments which provide insight into said points and then some clear actions to remedy (or improve against) said arguments. Last month I wrote three drafts which I hoped would fall into this category. I believe that this type of writing in my many ways helps those industries grow. ![]() Having someone challenge the normative position of an industry, or genre, is interesting to me. I’ve always loved reading critical writing. I missed publishing something last month, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. A modest goal I could achieve despite the rigors of a new job and a young child making my schedule a little unpredictable. When I started writing recently I had the goal of publishing one article a month. I promise this bit will be worth the read though. Before I get into my experience with EXAPUNKS I want to touch on something slightly more personal first, if you would like to skip this feel free to scroll down to the next section.
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