Overview
The DevTeam thinks of everything. NetHack evolved from Hack (itself a Rogue descendant) into perhaps gaming’s most systemically deep experience. Dip a poisoned corpse in a fountain? The game knows what happens. Polymorph into a cockatrice and lay eggs? Valid strategy. Thirty-plus years of development created a simulation where player creativity is rewarded with interaction depth no modern game approaches.
Fast facts
- Initial release: 1987.
- Developers: The DevTeam.
- Status: Still updated.
- Depth: Legendary systemic interaction.
Systemic depth
| Interaction | Example |
|---|
| Item + item | Combining effects |
| Monster + environment | Tactical exploitation |
| Polymorph | Form-changing strategies |
| Wishes | Game-breaking potential |
Ascension path
| Stage | Challenge |
|---|
| Dungeons of Doom | Early floors |
| Gnomish Mines | Side branch |
| Sokoban | Puzzle levels |
| Quest | Class-specific |
| Gehennom | Hell levels |
| Astral Plane | Final ascension |
Character roles
| Role | Playstyle |
|---|
| Valkyrie | Combat-focused |
| Wizard | Magic-dependent |
| Tourist | Challenge mode |
| Monk | Weaponless |
| Resource | Function |
|---|
| Spoilers | Strategy documentation |
| YASD | ”Yet Another Stupid Death” |
| Ascension posts | Victory celebration |
| Variant development | Community branches |
Development philosophy
| Principle | Result |
|---|
| Systemic consistency | Everything interacts |
| Player creativity | Solutions emerge |
| Long development | Decades of depth |
| Open source | Community contribution |
See also