hackmud News

- Added: Secure trading of GC for bits and / or upgrades using the new `trade_gc` syntax. GC can be traded in amounts greater than 32B.
- Changed: Upgrades can now be traded for GC or other upgrades as well as any other combination of bits, GC and upgrades.
- Changed: Updates to `trade_add` and `trade_up_info`, and `trade_help` to improve trade UX.
- Changed: `trade_accept` is now hidden until an offer is made, reducing confusion.
- Changed: Macro loading now uses the last definition of a macro name in a file, ensuring predictable behavior.
- Fixed: Script name handling now properly supports valid naming patterns and avoids false "invalid script name" errors.

This trade system offers flexibility for all players. It allows those who support hackmud's development by purchasing bits to exchange them for GC. Conversely, players with accumulated GC can now trade it for bits. The system is supported by a small bits fee that directly helps us pay for servers and development costs.

Thank you to our ComCODE volunteers and staff for their contributions! `@daniel @dunce @fayti1703 @kb @marto @seanmakesgames @sudonym`

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- Added: Revamped output and error messages of `#up`
- Added: `gui_reset` documented in `help`
- Added: Terminal effect library augmented. Error code 'TIGERSEYE' logged
- `store_preview`, `end_preview` added to support end-user decision-making
- Added: Blurbs for sub-menus of `store_list`
- Added: Color-coded indicators for locked and purchased goodies in `store_list`
- Fixed: Erroneous usage of `user` did not respect your `gui.notifs` retired userlist settings

Thank you to our ComCODE volunteers and staff for their contributions! `@ActualRemy @chirp @daniel @fayti1703 @flora @ghamb @kb @marto @samual @seanmakesgames @sudonym @tukib @zez`

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TLDR; Awesome! Check out all of the hm_gamejam_v1 submissions, and get your participation goodies at scripts.register in-game.

Well, that was a wild week. Our first-ever hackmud Game Jam has come to a close, and honestly? Wild success. You all designed, scripted, tested, broke things, fixed them (or didn’t), and somehow shipped a working game in seven days. That’s awesome.

[h2]Event Highlights[/h2]

- Theme: Point of No Return (very dramatic, good job)
- Submissions: We had 22 scripts enter the arena.
- Voting: Over 80 votes cast—some of them probably with regret, but hey, that’s democracy.
- Live Iteration: Unlike normal game jams, we let you edit your script mid-event because constraints are for other people.

[h2]What We Learned[/h2]

This wasn’t just about making games—it was about speedrunning the dev cycle. You brainstormed, built, got feedback, pivoted (or doubled down), and actually shipped something. Some of you even discovered why **scope creep is evil** in real time.

Whether this was your first script or just another week in January, you finished something, and that’s huge.

[h2]The Players & Voters[/h2]

This jam wouldn’t have been what it was without the players and voters. You explored the submissions, pushed buttons, broke things (probably on purpose), and your feedback made these scripts even better. Your votes shaped the event, and your engagement kept the chaos rolling.
Some of you even had to make the tough call of what to upvote and what to downvote—which, let’s be honest, was the real game all along. Whether you were a tester, critic, or just here to see what kind of madness unfolded, you were just as much a part of this jam as the jammers themselves.

[h2]Final Thoughts[/h2]

Did you have fun? Did you suffer? Did you learn something? Hopefully, yes to all three. This jam wasn’t about "winning" (there were no winners, only survivors). It was about creating cool stuff and seeing what everyone else came up with—and you all delivered.

And guess what? We’re doing this again. So keep those scripts warmed up, because there will be more. Probably when you least expect it.

Thanks for making hm_gamejam_v1 legendary. Now go touch some grass.

— ComCODE

[h2]P.S.[/h2]

Here’s some highlights –

The theme is:
[h2]Point of No Return[/h2]

Let this theme inspire you to make whatever your heart desires. Or just make some other dumb meme stuff. There are no minimum skill requirements, the points are made up to encourage you to play, and anything you contribute makes the whole experience better for everyone!

…and one more thing!

EVERY SINGLE USER has been given a PERMANENT SCRIPTING BOOST
Baseline char count has been increased to 2000 chars!
Every user now has 1 public script slot by default.

What the heck is this again anyway?

This is NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL GAME JAM. This is h a c k m u d; so we are doing things our way! Instead of separate submission and voting periods, there will be a 7-day window to submit, play, vote, edit, and ship the best version of your script that matches the game jam theme. Players can vote anytime during the 7-day event window.

• Submit: Players will be able to register one Game Jam entry per account.
  
• Play and Vote: Players can try out scripts and vote anonymously in the CLI.
  

Voting:

• Each player gets 3 total votes for the duration of the event per account.
  
• Votes can be changed during the event (e.g., switch an upvote to a downvote or vice versa, rescind a vote if you have reached your max votes and wish to change your vote to a different script).
  
• Chosen judges will have substantially extra votes - sway them over for their support!
  

Questions?

Check the FAQ or ask in the community chat. Good luck, and happy hacking!

Event announce here:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/469920/announcements/detail/525332402240749578

Engaging ComCODE newsletter update process: Zez down, Marks up, Bits booming. $100K achieved. Game Jam on Jan 24th. Access the full log here:

https://givebutter.com/messages/view/4c3e549b-8d82-48c5-8151-e940f4016fad