hacking needs expanding

[Vuur]

Is is just me or is hacking just used to get from one area to another. shouldn't/couldn't it be used to access PCs or steal ish from vending machines? Also, why do we have a minigame for pooping of all things, but not one for hacking?

[MechWarden]

Currently it is just a key that's used to open doors of level (X) or lower.

Not sure what other kind of plans the devs have for it, if any.

[Kai]

Maybe alternative entryway for hacked keypads hidden behind notes you find on some computers or quest items?

This way the keypad isn't a one shot solution to all the barriers.

Like if locked doors also require specific keycards that the hacking tool won't work with.

Then adding new sneaky ways to enter other areas, but is risky or requires you to wait until it's night time (like the fan that stops working once its night).

For instance sewage grates under the offices to get to manufacturing, you can't swim in it normally when power is running as there are spinning propellers down there that'll kill you, and you need to craft something to help you breathe longer to swim across.

This way you can bypass needing a power cell, but these method are one way passage so there's no way back except for the tram. Not only that, but due to getting shortcut in early you will lack the items to properly access things like keypads, and other barriers in your way.

This way story progression is more freeform, but access is locked behind difficulty for each route.

Imagine getting into Cascade labs without clearance or keypad or blowing up the machine? Then things will play out a bit differently, and the environment may even be scarier or more dangerous.

[Monokuma]

I think hacking would benefit from a minigame, but I think mechanically having it be essentially a doom keycard for the sake of progression is perfectly fine, as they always use materials you get from fully exploring the areas before the keycard is necessary to progress.

I do wish that you could make copies of the keycard for cheaper for multiplayer though, it's a bit rough making sure more than one person has one by the time they've become irrelevant from everything already being unlocked

[MechWarden]

Yeah, more uses for the Hacker would be nice. After getting everything unlocked, I've pretty much forgotten about it, and it's a thing you have a dedicated equipment slot for!

Every other gear slot gets used... Except for the shield, which I kind of gave up on after the early game. The thing just doesn't feel that responsive enough, and I haven't heard great things about the other shield types, typically it's "it covers too much of my view!"