PCGame

Hacknet

Terminal-based hacking simulation built around a dead hacker's instructions

Team Fractal Alligator · Published by Fellow Traveller · Released Aug 12, 2015

IndieSimulation

Reviews
Very Positive
94% of 18K
Recent reviews
Very Positive
96% of 63 in 30 days
Players
27
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Unsupported
Last update on Steam
8 years ago
Jul 24, 2018
Minimum PC
OpenGL 3.0+ (2.1 with ARB…
0.5 GB RAM · 0.5 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 82/100 (critic reviews)

What is Hacknet?

Hacknet is a single-player hacking simulation played through a command-line interface. You use commands based on UNIX to access computer systems and search for clues, following automated emails left by a dead hacker whose reported cause of death is in question. The virtual world has no separate levels.

For you if...

  • +you like solo puzzles built around following digital clues
  • +you want to practice basic command-line navigation
  • +you enjoy searching computer systems for hidden details

Not for you if...

  • −you want to write code rather than use preset tools
  • −you prefer action over reading emails and files
  • −you expect detailed guidance through every puzzle

What players say

94% of 18,234 reviews are positive · 96% of 63 in the last 30 days

Players praise the story, soundtrack, and approachable command-line tasks. The most common complaint is that hacking becomes repetitive. Some players also report crashes or trouble launching the game, particularly on Mac.

Players over time

▼ -48% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 61 players on Oct 9, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202627
Nov 6, 202624
Nov 5, 202622
Nov 4, 202618
Nov 3, 202618
Nov 2, 202620
Nov 1, 202625
Oct 31, 202626
Oct 30, 202619
Oct 29, 202636
Oct 28, 202628
Oct 27, 202627
Oct 26, 202618
Oct 25, 202627
Oct 24, 202641
Oct 23, 202642
Oct 22, 202637
Oct 21, 202646
Oct 20, 202631
Oct 19, 202644
Oct 18, 202636
Oct 17, 202633
Oct 16, 202641
Oct 15, 202635
Oct 14, 202624
Oct 13, 202640
Oct 12, 202641
Oct 11, 202635
Oct 10, 202629
Oct 9, 202661
Oct 8, 202643
Oct 7, 202640
Oct 6, 202638
Oct 5, 202642
Oct 4, 202643
Oct 3, 202641
Oct 2, 202619
Oct 1, 202625
Sep 30, 202622
Sep 29, 202630
Sep 28, 202633
Sep 27, 202635
Sep 26, 202629
Sep 25, 202627
Sep 24, 202625
Sep 23, 202625
Sep 23, 202638
Sep 22, 202625
Sep 21, 202622

How many players finish Hacknet?

9.9% of Steam players have unlocked «Hacknet», the achievement for finishing the main story.

Share of everyone who owns the game on Steam, including those who barely played it. Updated weekly.

Screenshots and trailer

Hacknet screenshot 1

Hacknet system requirements

Minimum: OpenGL 3.0+ (2.1 with ARB…, 0.5 GB RAM, 0.5 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Hacknet?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Windows XP
Processor
2.0 GHz
Graphics
OpenGL 3.0+ (2.1 with ARB extensions acceptable)
Memory
512 MB RAM
Storage
500 MB available space

Does Hacknet have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Does Hacknet run on Steam Deck?

Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.

  • Not supported on SteamOS

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Achievements
11
Steam features
Workshop, Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
Languages
Full audio: English, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Turkish.

Does Hacknet use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 25, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

3 DLC available.

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