Guided Hacking, the leading online educational platform for game hacking and reverse engineering, has officially launched its first episode of the Guided Hacking Podcast, featuring an in-depth interview with renowned game hacker Zachary Canann. Known for his contributions to the game hacking community, including the creation of the widely-used tool Squalr, the educational game Squally and the CS420 Game Hacking Course, Zachary Canann offers valuable insights into the intersection of game hacking, software engineering, and education in the first installment of this series.
The Guided Hacking Podcast, hosted by longtime community member Hussein Muhaisen, aims to bring reverse engineering enthusiasts closer to the stories and experiences of top game hackers and reverse engineers. Through personal interviews, listeners will hear about how these experts got into hacking, the projects they’ve developed, and the challenges they’ve overcome. This premiere episode featuring Zachary Canann promises to set the stage for what is expected to become a cornerstone of the world of game hacking.
Zachary Canann: A Pioneer in Game Hacking Education
Zachary Canann, also known as Zac, is a familiar name to the Guided Hacking community, thanks to his revolutionary CS420 Game Hacking Course and his game hacking tools, Squalr and Squally. The CS420 course, often called the “Game Hacking Bible,” teaches the fundamentals of reverse engineering and game hacking using practical examples, including the interactive puzzles within Squally.
(a screenshot of Squally – the game that teaches game hacking)
In his interview, Zachary Canann shares his journey from being a curious gamer to becoming a software engineering expert. With a Computer Science and Engineering degree and significant experience at top software firms, Zachary Canann’s technical expertise runs deep. However, his love for games and reverse engineering led him to create Squalr, an open-source memory scanner similar to Cheat Engine, but designed to be faster and more user-friendly.
(a screenshot from the Squalr game hacking tool)
Squalr is now considered one of the most comprehensive memory editors available, empowering users to modify in-game variables and learn memory manipulation. Squally, on the other hand, takes a unique approach to education. It’s a 2D side-scroller that teaches assembly language, binary, hexadecimal, and memory editing through gameplay, offering users an enjoyable way to dive into the technical details of game hacking.
Zac’s Personal Philosophy
During the interview, Zachary Canann reflects into his early influences, describing a childhood steeped in technology. In a household with parents involved in software and game development, Zachary Canann’s path to reverse engineering was almost inevitable. His stepfather worked on early social networking platforms, while his mother developed digital content for The Sims, further fueling Zachary Canann’s curiosity in manipulating software.
These early experiences sparked his interest in game hacking, leading him to reverse-engineer popular games like MapleStory and RuneScape. During these formative years, Zachary Canann first realized the power of memory manipulation, as he watched other players exploit game mechanics and became determined to learn how to do it himself.
(MapleStory – One of Zac’s favorite games to reverse engineer)
“I’ve always been driven by a desire to understand how things work at their core,” Zachary Canann explains. “Game hacking gave me the perfect playground to explore memory manipulation and software development, which eventually led to the creation of tools like Squalr and Squally.”
In addition to his game hacking tools, Zachary Canann emphasizes the importance of teaching others. His CS420 course, regarded as one of the most comprehensive resources for beginner game hackers, breaks down complex topics like assembly language and Cheat Engine fundamentals into digestible, practical lessons.
(Zac’s infamous CS420 Game Hacking Course)
Looking to the Future: The Effect of AI on Game Hacking
The podcast also touches on the future of game hacking, with Zachary Canann sharing his vision for how artificial intelligence might shape the industry. He predicts that as AI advances, game hacking techniques will become more sophisticated. For example, AI could be used to develop pixel-level bots, capable of performing tasks traditionally associated with memory manipulation.
(Hex editing – the absolute foundation of game hacking)
“I see the future of game hacking paralleling other technological advancements, like autonomous vehicles,” Zachary Canann says. “Soon, we’ll have bots that can interact with games at the pixel level, bypassing the need for memory hacks entirely.”
This forward-thinking perspective highlights Zachary Canann’s commitment to staying at the cutting edge of game hacking and technology. He’s currently working on a new project aimed at using AI to create dynamic, educational games, this time focusing on teaching English, a pivot from his work in game hacking but still rooted in using software to educate and empower.
The Launch of the Guided Hacking Podcast
The Guided Hacking Podcast, available on Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube, marks a new chapter for the Guided Hacking community. Hosted by Hussein Muhaisen, a veteran content creator for Guided Hacking, the show will feature interviews with prominent figures in reverse engineering and game hacking.
Hussein Muhaisen, whose background includes work in computer security, vulnerability research, and hardware hacking, brings a unique perspective to the show. His passion for reverse engineering began in his early years and continues to drive his contributions to the Guided Hacking community. “Game hacking has always been about problem-solving,” Hussein Muhaisen explains, “and there’s something deeply satisfying about learning how to reverse-engineer a game and manipulate its code.”
The first episode, featuring Zachary Canann, explores the complexities of reverse engineering, the future of game hacking, and the importance of making educational tools accessible to all. Future episodes will feature other notable figures in the community, including Stephen Chapman, Daniel Felipe & others.
Recap
The launch of the Guided Hacking Podcast is a testament to the platform’s commitment to educating and empowering its users. With experts like Zachary Canann, the podcast promises to be a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in reverse engineering, game hacking, or software development.
