Breathing Life into Next

Hey all!

Welcome to the next monthly update on Hackero Next and what I’ve been working on.

In the last post, I talked about new mission types, the concept of detection, and the road to the first release. Since then, I’ve not extended the detection system further—nor added major new features. Instead, I’ve been focusing fully on getting things ready for the first release.

A Shift in Focus: From Systems to Story

Since the beginning of Hackero Next, I’ve been rebuilding the backend and frontend from scratch—replacing the old foundation with something more robust and future-proof. Many of the core systems from Hackero Classic were revisited and expanded:
things like filesystem permissions, multi-account server access, and a deeper hacking mechanic are now a thing as showcased in earlier blog posts.

Storyline

I’ve been building the first chapter of the new storyline. It draws inspiration from the original Hackero arc, but with new twists that better reflect the evolved mechanics.

The full narrative is already outlined through 10 chapters, and this first one is all about easing into the world—introducing the gameplay and some of the first characters.

To support this, a lot had to change under the hood—adjustments in the backend, quest logic, and narrative triggers were necessary to make it work seamlessly.

NPCs

Currently, there are 21 NPCs—many returning from Hackero Classic, but all of them completely reimagined.

Each of them now has a custom-built website that feels more alive and authentic—like a real organization’s page rather than just a placeholder. Some even have multiple subpages with hidden clues or lore.

Here’s an example of what that a npc looks like in comparison to classic:

Riddles and secrets will come too, but for now the focus was on building a solid narrative base.

While working on all of this, I also tackled a fair share of bugs and small inconsistencies. There’s still a bit of polish left before the game reaches a playable state:

• 5 remaining issues related to gameplay consistency
• Only 4 missions available for earning money (but of course more are needed)
• Most shops still need their products
• I wanna add some basic social features

That said, the majority of the work is done—especially when it comes to the storyline and the NPC world.

Release Outlook

I can’t give you a firm release date yet, but I’m aiming for late Q3 2025.

Thank you all for being part of this journey.
In July, Hackero Classic turns 6 years old—and I can’t wait to show you what’s next.

spacecow