Maphack
Encyclopedia
Maphack is a generic term that refers to a method or third-party program
that enables a user
to see more of a level than intended by the developer
. A maphacker is a user that deliberately executes such a method or program in the context of a relevant game, whilst maphacking is the act of such.
A common aspect of real-time strategy
games is the player's partial limitation or complete inability to see beyond the visibility range of individual game objects that are under their ownership (typically units and structures), this concept is controlled by a mechanism known as the Fog of War. Maphacking usually enables the user to bypass this mechanism, either by removing it entirely and/or by rendering
objects through the fog that would not normally be visible. In multiplayer modes, this allows for a distinct advantage against the other players that are subject to the intended settings. The advantage gained can be substantial, especially for the average real-time strategy games that rely on the rock-paper-scissors dynamic to balance
out individual objects' varying strengths and weaknesses.
Also called "Chams" or "Wallhacks" in most FPS games (such as Cross Fire, Team Fortress 2, and Call of Duty, to name a few) it can enable users to see "through" a wall, the outline of said player is generally seen in a gamma-intensive outline, such as neon greens, blues, reds, extremes (white/black), and pinks. Users can usually set what color to choose.
Third-party software component
In computer programming, a third-party software component is a reusable software component developed to be either freely distributed or sold by an entity other than the original vendor of the development platform...
that enables a user
User (computing)
A user is an agent, either a human agent or software agent, who uses a computer or network service. A user often has a user account and is identified by a username , screen name , nickname , or handle, which is derived from the identical Citizen's Band radio term.Users are...
to see more of a level than intended by the developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
. A maphacker is a user that deliberately executes such a method or program in the context of a relevant game, whilst maphacking is the act of such.
A common aspect of real-time strategy
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
games is the player's partial limitation or complete inability to see beyond the visibility range of individual game objects that are under their ownership (typically units and structures), this concept is controlled by a mechanism known as the Fog of War. Maphacking usually enables the user to bypass this mechanism, either by removing it entirely and/or by rendering
Rendering (computer graphics)
Rendering is the process of generating an image from a model , by means of computer programs. A scene file contains objects in a strictly defined language or data structure; it would contain geometry, viewpoint, texture, lighting, and shading information as a description of the virtual scene...
objects through the fog that would not normally be visible. In multiplayer modes, this allows for a distinct advantage against the other players that are subject to the intended settings. The advantage gained can be substantial, especially for the average real-time strategy games that rely on the rock-paper-scissors dynamic to balance
Game balance
Game balance is a concept in game design describing fairness or balance of power in a game between multiple players or strategic options. Each team or person would be equally matched in every aspect.- Overview :...
out individual objects' varying strengths and weaknesses.
Also called "Chams" or "Wallhacks" in most FPS games (such as Cross Fire, Team Fortress 2, and Call of Duty, to name a few) it can enable users to see "through" a wall, the outline of said player is generally seen in a gamma-intensive outline, such as neon greens, blues, reds, extremes (white/black), and pinks. Users can usually set what color to choose.