An optional puzzle included in Double Fine's 2014 hacking game "Hack 'n' Slash" (opens in new tab) has finally been solved after eight years. The puzzle, known as the SecretRoom.lua puzzle, was named after an encrypted file in the game.

The news that the puzzle has finally been solved comes from the blog of software analyst Guillaume Fortin-Devigaray (opens in new tab), who seems to have a penchant for such puzzles. The problem with this puzzle is that it is known almost immediately and much has been solved, except for one key element: the decryption key. No matter how hard the puzzle-savvy sleuths tried, they could not even find a clue as to what to look for. [Despite brute force attacks, despite detailed examination of the game's original prototype, despite analysis of all released promotional materials and merchandise, despite reverse engineering key parts of the game, nothing obvious was found that would help. There was nothing obvious to help.

Rewards were offered, but interest eventually waned, despite the best efforts of some. Until now. A player called Glenn "Netrix" Anderson cracked the password on December 9 and was rewarded with an Easter egg that gave him additional information about the game's development and some insight into the missing Act 1.

The password was surprisingly simple, and Fortin-Devigare's full explanation of how the puzzle was ultimately solved is here (opens in a new tab). The starting point was a hint that Brandon Dillon, the game's lead designer, provided upon request in response to a question about whether brute force was realistic.

Near the end of the game, there is a room with a pedestal on which a book is placed. The book has unusual file-related properties, and in a normal game, the player would "jack" the pedestal and enter a password, which, if successful, would allow access to a new element of the game world. The book in question here can be deciphered "normally," but it can also be exchanged for another book that points to a mysterious file: SecretRoom.lua.

Spoiler alert: for those who have already spent seven years solving this riddle, here is how to solve it.

The player replaces the book on the pedestal and enters the correct password. The password is hashed, but it turns out to be in front of the player the whole time. A message on the game's loading screen reads:

"Hack and slash is dangerous. Be brave."

The password is the last two characters.

Now, it wasn't as easy as it sounds. The room contains new visuals, information about the game's origins, and other tidbits. Credit goes to players Glenn "Netrix" Anderson and Guillaume Fortin-Devigaray's blog (opens in new tab) for finally deciphering it.