Backend Verification Patterns for RPG Maker MV and MZ
Applying a backend verification pattern as a method of encryption on RPG Maker MZ entails offloading sensitive data or logic to a server. It makes it more difficult for players to interfere with the game because it executes critical operations, validations, and checks on the server side instead of locally. Here's how you can implement it:
Steps to Implement Backend Verification
Understand the Role of Backend Verification
Encrypt Data: Persist sensitive game data (e.g., save files, in-app purchases, leaderboards, etc.) locally in an encrypted format, with decryption keys accessible only through server authentication.
Validate Player Actions: Validate actions such as progress, stats, or purchases using the backend. For instance, before permitting a player to earn experience points, the server verifies the action.
Prevent Cheating: Make sure key variables (such as currency, health, or XP) are not directly tamperable by the player.
Set Up the Backend
You will require a server-side application that can handle and process requests from your game. You will need:
Select a Backend Framework:
Examples: Node.js, Python Flask/Django, PHP, Ruby on Rails, or a cloud-based service like Firebase.
Set Up API Endpoints:
Establish endpoints (e.g., /validate-action, /save-data, /load-data) for your game to communicate with.
Encrypt Data:
Utilize libraries like Crypto (Node.js) or pycryptodome (Python) to encrypt sensitive data on the server prior to sending it back to the client.
Secure Communication
Employ HTTPS to encrypt information being passed between the game client and the server.
Make use of a public-private key encryption system (e.g., RSA) to encrypt requests and responses even more.
Create a token-based authentication system (e.g., JWT) to ensure that requests originate from genuine players.
Integrate the Backend with RPG Maker MZ
Utilize JavaScript's fetch API or a library such as axios for communication with the backend. Below is an example:
function sendDataToServer(url, payload) {
return fetch(url, {
method: "POST",
headers: {
"Content-Type": "application/json",
},
body: JSON.stringify(payload),
})
.then(response => response.json())
.catch(error => console.error("Error:", error));
}
Example Use Case:
When saving game progress:
const saveData = { playerID: "12345", progress: gameData };
sendDataToServer("https://your-server.com/save-data", saveData).then(response => {
if (response.success) {
console.log("Game saved successfully!");
} else {
console.error("Failed to save game:", response.error);
}
});
Secure Game Logic
Offload Critical Calculations: Transfer sensitive calculations, like battle outcomes or item generation, to the backend. The client gets only the results.
Example: For a damage calculation:
The client sends the player attack stats and the enemy defense stats to the server.
The server computes the damage and returns it to the client.
Save Files Secure
Save files may be locally encrypted, with the backend serving as holder of the decryption key.
Workflow:
When progress is saved by the player, data is encrypted with a server-provided key.
The encrypted save is kept locally or transferred to the server.
In order to load a save, the game asks the server for the decryption key and checks the integrity of the save file.
Example:
const saveData = JSON.stringify(gameData);
const encryptedData = encryptWithServerKey(saveData); // Use server-side encryption
saveFileLocally(encryptedData);
Validate Player Actions
Prior to performing critical actions in the game, check them with the backend.
Example: Buying an item in the game.
The player tries to purchase an item.
The game makes a request to the server to check whether the player has sufficient currency.
The server removes the currency and approves the purchase.
Code Example:
function purchaseItem(itemID) {
const payload = { playerID: "12345", itemID: itemID };
sendDataToServer("https://your-server.com/purchase-item", payload).then(response => {
if (response.success) {
console.log("Purchase successful!");
} else {
console.error("Purchase failed:", response.error);
}
});
}
Monitor and Log Backend Activity
Log every interaction with your backend to catch any suspicious activity.
For instance, track multiple attempts to modify save data or confirm in-game purchases.
Handle Offline Play
Implement limited offline capability by storing data locally but checking it against the server once the player comes online.
Example: Enable the player to play offline with temporary saves, but demand server synchronization for rewards, multiplayer, or leaderboard viewing.
Test Security
Simulate attacks (such as intercepting requests, altering data) to locate vulnerabilities.
Utilize tools such as Postman to put your backend endpoints through testing and make sure they are tamper-proof.
Through the use of backend verification patterns, your game will transfer key operations and data to a safe server, which makes it much more difficult for players to cheat or manipulate the game. This is further securing the game without sacrificing a well-balanced gaming experience.
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