Hack Time
Hack Time is a scan-and-upload system. Press the Hack Time keybind (default N) to enter, hover targets around you, and write a protocol into one of them.
In single-player the world stops completely and the camera pulls in toward the cursor. In multiplayer the world keeps running. Scan and upload still work. Press the same key again to leave. Effects already written keep running after you leave.
The full protocol lists by target kind are on the Protocol Catalog. Protocols that target a hostile player are on PvP Hacks. RAM cap, recovery, and chip upgrades are on the RAM System.
Unlock
Section titled “Unlock”The first press of the keybind may show HACK TIME UNAVAILABLE. That means you have no access point yet. The official line is: connect a smart weapon or install a netrunner cyberware to access hacking abilities. Either of these is enough:
- Hold a weapon with a smart interface, such as SHPC
- Install a netrunner implant, such as the CSTM Opti-Visual Cybereye
Implants are installed at Victor’s clinic. The steps are on Cyberware.
Controls
Section titled “Controls”Moving the cursor over a target starts a scan. You can scan enemies, dropped items, projectiles, tiles, liquids, turrets, signal towers, containers, boss parts, world state, your own implant set, and a hostile player in multiplayer. Hovering shows that target’s analysis, such as type, threat, and defense.
Left-click locks the target and opens the protocol panel. Right-click releases it. The panel lists only protocols that this target kind can take and that are already in your daemon library. Picking one starts the upload. The upload takes a short time and holds RAM while it runs. The effect applies at the moment the upload finishes.
When the panel is ready it shows BREACH PROTOCOL · READY. During upload it switches to UPLOADING… When RAM is insufficient, the panel shows NO RAM.
Upload times run from about 0.7 seconds to 4 seconds. Stronger protocols usually take longer and cost more RAM.
Writing protocols into the library
Section titled “Writing protocols into the library”The first time a character gains Hack Time, the daemon library already holds 14 factory protocols for world targets and 4 factory protocols for hostile players. The rest are written from protocol chips. A chip is a one-time consumable: using it writes that protocol into the current character’s library. A chip for a protocol already owned cannot be used again.
TBUG sells the chips by shelf. The shop restocks in full at each dawn. Laboratory security chests currently drop RAM upgrade chips on a stable roll. They do not drop protocol chips.
The panel shows a bracketed count of how many you have written against the full library. The 63 world-target protocols and the 14 player protocols are counted together.
RAM cost
Section titled “RAM cost”Every protocol has a fixed base RAM cost. The real spend scales with the target. Ordinary enemies are billed at about 1× to 1.5×, with a higher multiplier on more dangerous targets. Bosses go up to 3×. An upload will not start if you cannot afford it.
Target kinds
Section titled “Target kinds”Locking a different kind of target changes the panel. The in-game scan labels and the matching lists are:
| Scan label | Count | Page |
|---|---|---|
| NPC Target | 18 | NPC |
| Projectile Target | 7 | Projectile |
| Liquid Target | 5 | Liquid |
| Tile Target | 8 | Tile |
| Dropped Item Target | 5 | Dropped Item |
| Turret Target / Signal Tower Target | 5 / 4 | Circuit |
| Container / World State / Boss Part / Self Rig | 2 / 3 / 3 / 3 | Other Targets |
| Player Target | 14 | PvP Hacks |
Turret arrays and signal towers on void machinery mainly take circuit protocols. Virus Broadcast and Grid Blackout reach about 400 tiles, enough to cover both floors of a void station.