Scrolling Game Development Kit Forum

Hi.

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but how useful would it be if SGDK2 games had some kind of protection against unwanted distribution?

Since SGDK2 games are HTML5 based, you could generate a unique copy of the game for each user who loaded it.

Perhaps one could encrypt the game, and hide the data within a digital image of a person's own logo and rights ownership statement, using the JPEG compression algorithm. Additionally the hidden information could be encrypted again with some kind of chaotic map.

When the game is to be loaded, a JavaScript file collects the pixels of the image, and decodes the information into the code needed to run the game which is loaded into a buffer, and finally runs it with eval(); or new function();

This was used by Samil Shah: http://stegosploit.info/

The main idea is to load as little data as needed, pieces at a time. Really, so only load graphics once needed, and maps once needed, and only load them partially, etc. Additional security would be found by converting SGDK2 graphics to JPEG images and hiding information about the user whose copy this game belongs to within those.

This would help immensely in tracking down traitors.

Additionally, the domain of which the code is currently running under can be used as the key for decrypting the code from the image. This would make it difficult for the code from running under any other domain than yours. The idea is to avoid using "boolean" values at all because someone can just set these to true in the JavaScript event logger and bypass your security scheme.

By coupling your graphics and code you not only make it difficult for your game to be illegally modified, but you make it far more difficult for your code to be understood. By exploiting metadata that can be hidden in JPEG's DCT Transform, you can track who is distributing your game.

Hey Vincent, bluemonkmn, Smartboy,

It's great to see you guys again. Really! I have an issue.
I have a homework assignment for my CS degree that requires me to interview a Project Manager or Team Leader for a project.

I have a feeling that some people here would fit the bill. I know bluemonkmn stated once that he prefers to code and at one point was reluctant to offers to be a project manager.

This might sound like a drag, but..
Can any of you just work with me with a VERY short interview through Skype?

So get this: I'm allergic to peanuts. I still hazard hives to eat them sometimes. Similarly I know some of you are allergic to interviews!  I completely understand if being on-the-spot gives you hives. Don't risk it. So we don't need to discuss it through Skype, if you'd like we could possibly even do it here in this thread.

Thanks, I hope to use what I've learned to contribute to SGDK2.
This is an important assignment for AGILE, and helping me helps me get my degree.

**I'm taking a CUDA class, and while I've never completed the game I had set out to, I think that maybe anything I contribute to this community might just be an SGDK2 addon.

Your friend forever, Pizzaman.

PS Congrats on the Book, and Congrats Vincent for having your game publicized within it. I've been lurking here but I've forgotten my password to login.