Matrix Hacker: A Command-Line Cyber-Simulation

Project Overview

Matrix Hacker is a Python-based, text-driven cyber-simulation game designed to immerse players in a command-line interface (CLI) environment, challenging them with network navigation, data retrieval, and strategic problem-solving. Developed with a strong emphasis on modularity, scalability, and maintainability, this project serves as a robust demonstration of software engineering principles applied to interactive game development.

Key Features & Technical Highlights

• Dynamic Quest Generation System:
  • Implemented a sophisticated, template-driven quest engine capable of generating diverse missions across multiple difficulty tiers (Easy, Medium, Hard).
  • Quests are dynamically tailored to player progression, available commands, and current "street cred," ensuring a personalized and challenging experience.
  • Features intelligent quest selection algorithms that prioritize new command introduction, avoid repetition, and guide players through a progressive learning curve.
  • Dynamically provisions in-game network assets (servers, files, directories) on remote IPs based on quest requirements, enhancing realism and replayability.
• Modular Network Simulation:
  • Designed an extensible in-game network layer with abstract Server, File, and Directory classes.
  • Simulates core networking protocols (ping, ssh, nmap, ``portscan, grep`, `find`, `tcpdump`) allowing for realistic command-line interaction and extensible future development.
• Command-Line Interface (CLI) Engine:
  • Developed a responsive and intuitive text-based interface, providing a core interaction loop for command input and output.
  • Features a comprehensive help system, dynamic command availability, and robust input parsing.
• Game State Management & Persistence:
  • Implemented a clear separation of game state logic, ensuring maintainability and enabling future features like persistent save/load functionality.
• Scalability & Maintainability Focus:
  • Architected the project with clear separation of concerns (e.g., UI, core game logic, quest generation, network simulation) to facilitate independent development and future expansion.
  • Utilized data-driven design patterns (e.g., QUEST_TEMPLATES) to allow for easy addition of new content without code modification.

My Contributions

As the primary developer for this project overhaul, my responsibilities and contributions included:

• Architectural Redesign: Led the complete re-architecture of the game's core systems, transitioning from a monolithic structure to a modular, layered design.
• Quest System Development: Designed and implemented the entire dynamic quest generation pipeline, including:
  • Defining new, comprehensive quest templates with tiered difficulty and explicit command requirements.
  • Developing the intelligent quest selection algorithm to ensure progressive challenge and command utilization.
  • Implementing the dynamic creation and placement of quest-specific network targets (remote servers, files, hidden data).
  • Refining quest objective clarity and in-game guidance.
• Core Game Logic Refinement: Enhanced existing game mechanics, suchs as the intel panel, command handling, and player progression, to integrate seamlessly with the new quest system.
• Debugging & Quality Assurance: Systematically identified and resolved complex bugs, including critical IndentationError and NameError issues, demonstrating strong debugging and problem-solving skills.
• Code Quality & Documentation: Ensured adherence to Python best practices, improved code readability, and updated project documentation (requirements.txt, README.md) to reflect the project's advanced state.

Technical Stack

• Language: Python 3.x
• Game Library: Pygame (for rendering and event handling)
• Core Concepts: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), Event-Driven Architecture, Data-Driven Design, CLI Development, Network Simulation.

Installation & Setup

To run this project locally:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/electronistu/matrix_hacker.git
   cd Matrix_Hacker

2. Create a virtual environment (recommended):

   python3 -m venv venv

3. Activate the virtual environment:

   • On Linux/macOS:

     source venv/bin/activate

   • On Windows:

     .\venv\Scripts\activate

4. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

5. Run the game:

   python main.py

Future Enhancements

• Implementation of a persistent save/load system for game progress.
• Expansion of network types and vulnerabilities.
• Development of a more complex narrative branching system.