- BGG rating
- 6.3
Hacker II: The Dark Side
- 2–8 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 1993
- BGG rank
- BGG #12,834
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Hacker
1992
Rules assistance for Hacker
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 120 min
- 14+
- Complexity 2.2/5
Rules assistant for Hacker
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Hacker is a board game released in 1992 for 2–6 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Steve Jackson (I).
Expansions
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About the game
This is the computer crime card game inspired by the 1990 Secret Service raid on Steve Jackson Games. Play is similar to Illuminati except players play cards as part of the ever-expanding "Net" in the center of the table instead of having individual card stacks. Players use indials to break into systems and gain root access. Upgrade your hacking tools, deal with other hackers for access, phreak others onto your system, etc. is all part of the game. Avoid ICE and law enforcement raids to gain the greatest number of root access sites and win the game. Expanded by: Hacker II: The Dark Side. Re-implemented by: Hacker: Deluxe Edition.
Editions
- HackerenSteve Jackson Games1994
- HackerenSteve Jackson Games1992
Questions and answers
Hacker supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Hacker is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Hacker for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Hacker has a complexity rating of 2.2 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Hacker belongs to these categories: Card Game and Political. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Hacker and want something comparable for your next game night.
The credited designers of Hacker are: Steve Jackson (I). These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Hacker as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.