Uplink (video game)

2025-03-16T10:02:01Z

136.49.115.160: /* Plot */

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Uplink
| image = Uplink box art.jpg
| developer = [[Introversion Software]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|EU|[[Introversion Software]]|NA|[[Strategy First]]}}[[Ambrosia Software]] (Mac)
| designer = Chris Delay Mark Morris Thomas Arundel
| engine =
| released = {{Collapsible list |title = {{nobold|1 October 2001}}
|'''Windows'''{{vgrelease|EU|1 October 2001<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uplink sur PC |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/pc/00013446-uplink.htm |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Jeuxvideo.com |language=fr |archive-date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423151701/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/jeux/pc/00013446-uplink.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>|NA|11 March 2003<ref name="release">{{Cite web |date=2004-08-18 |title=Strategy First - Press |url=http://www.strategyfirst.com/press/DisplayArticle.asp?sLanguageCode=EN&iArticleID=2116 |access-date=2023-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040818143713/http://www.strategyfirst.com/press/DisplayArticle.asp?sLanguageCode=EN&iArticleID=2116 |archive-date=18 August 2004 }}</ref>}}
|'''Linux'''{{vgrelease|NA|11 March 2003<ref name="release"/>|EU|October 2011}}
|'''Mac'''{{vgrelease|NA|27 May 2003<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ambrosia releases 'Uplink' computer hacker game |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/166377/uplink.html |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Macworld |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122112956/https://www.macworld.com/article/166377/uplink.html |url-status=live }}</ref>|WW|12 July 2012}} |'''iOS'''{{vgrelease|WW|7 June 2012<ref>{{Cite web |last=Usher |first=Anthony |title=Cult hacking simulation game Uplink now available for iPad |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/uplink/cult-hacking-simulation-game-uplink-now-available-for-ipad/ |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=www.pocketgamer.com |date=7 June 2012 |language=en}}</ref>}} |'''Android'''{{vgrelease|WW|15 August 2012<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uplink for Android launches...in a Humble Bundle - Introversion |url=https://forums.introversion.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=43112 |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=forums.introversion.co.uk}}</ref>}}}}
| genre = [[Hacker (computer security)|Hacking]] [[Simulation video game|simulation]]
| modes = [[Single player]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS]], [[Mac OS X]], [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
}}
'''''Uplink''''' (also known in North America as '''''Uplink: Hacker Elite''''') is a [[simulation video game]] released in 2001 by the British company [[Introversion Software]]. The player takes charge of a freelance [[Security hacking|computer hacker]] in a fictional futuristic 2010, and must break into foreign computers, complete contracts and purchase new [[computer hardware|hardware]] to hack into increasingly harder computer systems.

The game, which was Introversion's first release, was generally well received in Europe, and was released in North America by the publisher [[Strategy First]] as ''Uplink: Hacker Elite'' in 2003. ''Uplink'' was later ported to [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]] systems in 2012.

== Plot ==

In the game, the player assumes the role of a [[Security hacker|hacker]] in the year 2010, who begins work for the Uplink Corporation, a worldwide company providing work for hackers. The player amasses money, software, gateway hardware and skill in the course of performing jobs for various clients, and [[Hacker|hacking]] servers of global corporations for profit.

The storyline of the game typically begins with the player receiving a delayed e-mail from a deceased top ranking Uplink agent concerning the research done by a faction within the Andromeda Research Corporation (ARC),{{NoteTag|This email can be discovered by the player before it is sent, providing an alternate path.}} described as an "[[Anti-capitalism|anti-capitalist]], [[Crypto-anarchism|techno-anarchist]]" group. The agent was contracted to aid in engineering a destructive [[computer virus]] known as ''Revelation'' in an attempt to destroy the Internet. A rival company, Arunmor, attempts to counter ARC's plans by developing ''Faith'', a counter virus that can purge ''Revelation''.

The player can choose to side with ARC or Arunmor or even ignore the plot in its entirety, concentrating on freelance hacking, in which case the storyline plays out without the player's participation with Arunmor ultimately stopping ''Revelation,'' though not before some in-game servers and computer systems are infected and destroyed by the virus.

During the missions Andromeda contracts a hacker to steal files from "The Darwin Project," digital lifeforms that exist and reproduce on the internet. The sophisticated [[artificial intelligence]] technology is used to improve ''Revelation,'' helping it spread quickly and autonomously. Numerous attacks on ARC and Arunmor systems also occur in the storyline, including a mission leading the chief technical director of Arunmor being framed for bank fraud. The government is also helping fund Arunmor's ''Faith'' project, and is closely monitoring ARC, though they lack concrete evidence to warrant raiding the site or arresting any employees.

Regardless of the player's choices, ''Revelation'' will eventually be completed and unleashed upon the world, thus beginning the endgame. If the player has supported Arunmor, they are tasked with running a counter-operation, hacking into infected systems and using ''Faith'' to restore them before they are destroyed. ''Revelation'' is wiped out completely, and the damning evidence against Andromeda leads to a federal raid and the subsequent arrest of suspected staff members in the company, along with a number of Uplink agents. The leader of Andromeda then issues a statement, making no apologies for releasing ''Revelation;'' he argues that the internet has become a mere extension of Western [[capitalism]] to serve the interest of elites, rather than the bastion of free speech and anonymity it once was. He claims that people will never be safe on the web – their entire lives are [[Mass surveillance|on file]] and anyone can tamper with their personal information at will. The leader denounces Arunmor, claiming they are simply profiteering off the crisis and are a yet another symptom of capitalist overreach. He is sentenced to 8 years in prison, and ARC shuts down operations.

In contrast, if the player supports Andromeda, the group instructs them to unleash ''Revelation'' on the world, infecting as many systems as they can to overwhelm ''Faith'' and render every computer in the world inoperable. If the player is successful, the virus claims their own Uplink gateway, ending the game immediately and implying Andromeda have succeeded in their goal. If the player fails to cause enough infections within fifteen minutes, federal agents seize their equipment and arrest them, dooming the ''Revelation'' project to a premature end.

== Style ==
''Uplink'' focuses on emulating highly stylized, [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]]-esque hacking, as seen in movies such as ''[[Hackers (film)|Hackers]]'', ''[[Sneakers (1992 film)|Sneakers]]'', ''[[WarGames]]'' and ''[[Swordfish (film)|Swordfish]]''. References to these movies can be found throughout the game, including joke servers for companies such as [[Steve Jackson Games]] (which in 1990 was [[Steve Jackson Games, Inc. v. United States Secret Service|raided by the Secret Service]]) and a [[nuclear missile]] control system from ''WarGames''. It also features at least three references to the movie ''Sneakers'', including one which can be found in the first version of the game (and was later removed in an update released by Introversion) which is a cheat code in which the user has to enter "TooManySecrets" (an anagram to the phrase "Setec Astronomy") as the username thus allowing them to access a cheat menu. Another reference to the anagram is the password "MySocratesNote", sent to the player in an e-mail which starts the plotline. In addition, the voice print sections use the phrase "Hello. I am the system administrator. My voice is my passport. Verify me." which is similar to the one Sneakers used.

[[File:Pwd Cracking in Uplink.PNG|thumb|The applications in Uplink are highly simplified, and almost fully automated, similar to depictions in movies such as ''[[Hackers (film)|Hackers]]''.]] Most of the 'hacking' is of the form: "there is a security system of type X, level Y that is stopping me from accessing or changing something I need to access or change, so I need to have an anti-X program of level Y+". There is some need for rapid selection of programs to run, but there is no actual difficulty in running them (provided that one can afford them).

The game has a certain number of unusual features, including an in-game [[IRC]] client and in earlier versions a multi-monitor feature requiring another copy of the game running on a second computer. The latter was removed in later versions due to lack of stability and popularity and, as it was called "Network", was often confused with multiplayer gaming (that the game does not offer).

== Soundtrack ==
The game uses several songs originally made in [[S3M]], [[MOD (file format)|mod]] and [[XM (mod format)|xm]] format. The original song files are included on the bonus CD-ROM of the game, a disc that was originally given as a free addition to those who referred the game to others. The disc also includes several songs which were not used in the final game.

* ''The Blue Valley'' by Karsten Koch
* ''Deep in Her Eyes'' by [[Peter Hajba|Peter 'Skaven' Hajba]]
* ''Mystique'' Parts 1 and 2 by Robert 'Timelord' Gergely<ref>{{cite web |last=Morris |first=Mark |date=5 June 2013 |title=Credit where Credit is Due! |url=https://forums.introversion.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=39751 |website=[[Introversion Software]] |access-date=27 March 2020 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202230943/https://forums.introversion.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=39751 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''Symphonic'' by [[Simon Carless|Simon 'Hollywood' Carless]]

== Release ==
''Uplink'' was first released in October 2001, and was initially sold digitally and distributed by mail.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/the-evolution-of-distribution |title=The Evolution of Distribution |last=Arundel |first=Tom |date=19 December 2006 |publisher=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> The game was released for [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[Linux]] (2012) directly by Introversion, and ported to and released for [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] by Contraband and [[Ambrosia Software]] respectively. Chris Delay stated in an interview with ''[[PC Gamer]] UK'' that they did not pay for advertising of the game at all — it became known purely by [[word of mouth]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} A version released in the US was published and distributed by [[Strategy First]] under the title ''Uplink: Hacker Elite''. Legal proceedings were undertaken when Strategy First filed for bankruptcy and ceased paying Introversion royalties, but the ''Hacker Elite'' version remains available from [[#Hacker Elite royalties|various sources]]. The game is now also available via Valve's [[Steam (service)|Steam]] online distribution service, via [[GOG.com]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Uplink: Hacker Elite |url=https://www.gog.com/game/uplink_hacker_elite |website=[[GOG.com]] |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> as well as via the [[Ubuntu Software Center]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Sneddon |first=Joey |date=24 March 2011 |title=Introversion adds two new games to Ubuntu Software Centre at special price |url=https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/03/introversion-adds-two-new-games-to-ubuntu-software-centre-at-special-price |website=[[OMG! Ubuntu!]] |publisher=Ohso Ltd. |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> Uplink was also released for [[iOS]] on 7 June 2012. An [[Android (operating system)|Android]] version debuted as part of [[Humble Bundle|The Humble Bundle for Android 3]], on 15 August 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=So Noice We Did It Throice: Humble Bundle for Android #3 Is Here! |url=http://blog.humblebundle.com/post/29462755688/so-noice-we-did-it-throice-humble-bundle-for |access-date=27 March 2020 |work=[[Humble Bundle]] Blog |date=14 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412004917/http://blog.humblebundle.com/post/29462755688/so-noice-we-did-it-throice-humble-bundle-for |archive-date=12 April 2019}}</ref>

== ''Hacker Elite'' royalties ==
A version released in the US was published and distributed by [[Strategy First]] under the title ''Uplink: Hacker Elite''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Uplink: Hacker Elite |url=https://www.ign.com/games/uplink-hacker-elite |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010071608/https://www.ign.com/games/uplink-hacker-elite |url-status=live }}</ref> Strategy First ran into financial difficulties, and ceased paying royalties to Introversion shortly before filing for bankruptcy protection, but continued to sell the game in competition with Introversion.

On 20 January 2006, Introversion announced they were taking legal action against all retailers of ''Uplink: Hacker Elite'',<ref name="introversion1">{{cite web |author=Tom |date=20 January 2006 |title=Who's selling Hacker Elite? IV takes legal action... |url=https://forums.introversion.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=35392 |website=Introversion Software |access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> except [[Stardock]].<ref name="introversion1" /> It transpired that, while filing for bankruptcy would have caused a breach of contract, Strategy First persuaded Canadian courts to grant a moratorium preventing termination of the contract.<ref name="introversion1"/> Strategy First has resumed paying limited royalties.

Stores and services currently reselling ''Hacker Elite'' in North America include:
* Direct2Drive, [[IGN]]'s digital distribution service (as of July 2006).
* [[Strategy First]]'s online store.


As some versions of ''Uplink: Hacker Elite'' have been modified, many game mods and patches will not run with the ''Hacker Elite'' version.

{{clear}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| iOS = true
| PC = true
| na = true
| CWG_PC = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Luo|first=Di|title=Uplink: Hacker Elite|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_229.pdf|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=229|date=August 2003|page=86|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=25 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625182632/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_229.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| EuroG_PC = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Bye|first=John "Gestalt"|date=14 May 2002|title=Uplink (PC)|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_uplink|website=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=Gamer Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020604033350/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_uplink|archive-date=4 June 2002|url-status=live|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>
| GMaster_iOS = 82%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Uplink (iOS)|magazine=[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=September 2012|page=111}}</ref>
| GMaster_PC = 80%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Uplink (PC)|magazine=GamesMaster|publisher=Future plc|year=2002}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 7.1/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Todd|first=Brett|date=2 January 2002|title=Uplink Review (PC)|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/uplink-review/1900-2835507/|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=27 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327023659/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/uplink-review/1900-2835507/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpy_PC = (2002) 73%<ref>{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Mark|date=16 March 2002|title=Uplink (PC)|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/february02/uplink/|website=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217152925/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/february02/uplink/|archive-date=17 February 2005|url-status=dead|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref> (2003) {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Rausch|first=Allen|date=25 March 2003|title=GameSpy: Uplink: Hacker Elite|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/uplink-hacker-elite/5716p1.html|website=GameSpy|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222110407/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/uplink-hacker-elite/5716p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GameZone_PC = 7/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Hopper|first=Steven|date=13 February 2003|title=Uplink: Hacker Elite Review|url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19555.htm|website=GameZone|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080930205647/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19555.htm|archive-date=30 September 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Dan|date=30 April 2003|title=Uplink: Hacker Elite|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/30/uplink-hacker-elite|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=24 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224121734/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/30/uplink-hacker-elite|url-status=live}}</ref>
| PCF_PC = 81%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Uplink|magazine=[[PC Format]]|publisher=Future plc|year=2002}}</ref>
| PCGUS_PC = 80%<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Uplink|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future US]]|year=2002}}</ref>
| PCZone_PC = 70%<ref>{{cite web|last=Korda|first=Martin|date=21 February 2002|title=PC Review: Uplink|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=25189|website=[[PC Zone]]|publisher=Future plc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603053023/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=25189|archive-date=3 June 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=26 March 2018}}</ref>
| MC_iOS = 83/100<ref name="mcios">{{cite web|title=Uplink for iPhone/iPad Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/uplink/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=25 February 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250225161247/https://www.metacritic.com/game/uplink/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC_PC = 75/100<ref name="mcpc">{{cite web|title=Uplink: Hacker Elite for PC Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/uplink-hacker-elite/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=25 February 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250225161253/https://www.metacritic.com/game/uplink-hacker-elite/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

The iOS and PC versions received "generally favorable reviews" according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mcios"/><ref name="mcpc"/>

The editors of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' presented ''Uplink: Hacker Elite'' with their 2003 "Adventure Game of the Year" award. They summarized it as "an immersive, original, and suspenseful little game."<ref>{{cite magazine|author=CGW staff|title=Computer Gaming World's 2003 Games of the Year (Adventure Game of the Year)|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_236.pdf|magazine=Computer Gaming World|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=236|date=March 2004|page=65|access-date=26 March 2018|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705084118/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_236.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Official website|http://www.introversion.co.uk/uplink/}}
*{{moby game|id=/uplink-hacker-elite}}
*[https://www.modlink.net/ Modlink] — Modding website

{{Introversion Software}}
{{Ambrosia Software}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uplink (Video Game)}}
[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Ambrosia Software games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:Cyberpunk video games]]
[[Category:Hacking video games]]
[[Category:Introversion Software games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Spy video games]]
[[Category:Strategy First games]]
[[Category:Video games about computing]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Peter Hajba]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2010]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

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Uplink (video game)