Overlay Map

03/22/2022 15:59 beemerwt#1

I'm in the process of making an overlay map for the game--using Overwolf to make a transparent overlay so you can actually see your position in real time--but since the game has EAC I can't just get the character's position and map through in-game information. Instead, I've started looking at packets for that information.

Unfortunately, however, I'm not very experienced with this kind of thing. I've done a couple of things to attempt to find the different events that happen in Lost Ark with some success, but the biggest issue I'm having right now is the structure of the packet. I also can't tell if it's encrypted.

Either way, my current packet structure is

(C#)

Code:

class ArkPacket {
  public short header = 0; // This is the function of the packet
  public long id = 0; // This is some 8 bytes after the function that is the same across all packets, so maybe it's just an ID?
  public byte[] data;
}

Observing all packets to and from the server, the header corresponds to consistent values across all the actions I've performed, so I call it the "header"." To/From 31 and To/From 63 are events where I'm changing levels, and To 48 seems to be an update in movement, From 28 seems to be the serve accepting that you're moving. As for any other information, I have yet to find out.

One thing I found using Wireshark is that this game uses x11? Or maybe Wireshark is just getting them confused with x11 calls? I've since resorted to just using my own structure and changing the types to attempt to get them aligned, but to no avail. The rest of the values always change when I switch zones.

If someone could help me out with this, it would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking mainly for the position of the player and the map ID. I don't know how [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] handles it, but I figure it's a good start? At least I try to look for a consistent number when moving in/out of a zone, corresponding to the values I see on the different map pages [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...]

Let me know what you find if you're up for it. Thanks

03/23/2022 17:14 jwoot15#2

I have tried an app there in overwolf but the only problem was its background. if it has a transparent bg it could be easier to navigate just like navigating the ingame overlay map

03/23/2022 17:39 beemerwt#3

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoot15

I have tried an app there in overwolf but the only problem was its background. if it has a transparent bg it could be easier to navigate just like navigating the ingame overlay map

Yes, that's what I've already made. The problem is that I want it to load the map information when I've changed maps at the very minimum. An additional bonus could be an external map which updates your position on the map.

I'm trying to decode the packets right now to figure out a way of obtaining the map ID.

I've thought about capturing the top right of the screen, where it shows the name of the area you're in above the minimap, but I don't know if EAC will blow up on me for doing it that way. Most things detect screen capture because it's really easy to see when it happens. At least packet capturing doesn't immediately signal everything when it captures a packet, as far as I know.

03/25/2022 17:05 Vanip1#4

Hey, i am interested but your project.

I am also in the process of creating a maps overlay.

For now, i am capturing the top right of the screen, but i like your ideas of decoding the packets for map ID.
I will look into that, i will update you if i find something valuable.

03/30/2022 19:00 CRACHOR#5

tons of releases from Overlay Maps.

03/30/2022 19:55 leaphigher#6

i think about that today :notsureif:

04/03/2022 00:36 joka666#7

I have seen some bots showing mats etc.. on screen as targetable boxes so there is somethign out there for sure

04/04/2022 14:54 beemerwt#8

Quote:

Originally Posted by joka666

I have seen some bots showing mats etc.. on screen as targetable boxes so there is somethign out there for sure

Yes there is, but it's likely through injection. I want to do this for everyone that uses Overwolf. EAC would throw a fit if I started injecting into the game.

04/04/2022 20:32 Svarug#9

Why not use ingame map and than just paste over it for example moko seeds while the rest of the overlay is transparent. That way you could move the ingame map to match the overlay and use your ingame position?

04/07/2022 00:35 temp32#10

Every major game in the last 15 years has used encrypted packets, trying to extract data by capturing the packet after it has left the game is basically guaranteed to be a waste of time.

The only way to get coordinate data would be to inject into the game. But as someone who retired from game hacking a long time ago now due to having no time because of a job, I don't really want to bother with EAC.

Not sure how safe it is to inject a DLL into the game even if you don't write any hooks. There are all sorts of rumors saying that EAC detects this and that and it would be very time consuming to reverse EAC to see if they actually do those checks and to make sure your hack bypasses it.