Part 7

Learn how to interpret Sleeping Dogs' on-screen indicators for ammo, buffs, and smartphone prompts. Master the hacking minigame with logic and strategy.

This section covers essential interface elements and the hacking minigame in Sleeping Dogs.

Interface Indicators:

• Ammo Count: Shown in the top-right corner. Two adjacent figures indicate rounds in the weapon and spare ammo.
• Active Buffs: Indicated by circular icons on the right side of the screen. Segments around the icon deplete to show remaining duration.
• Smartphone Prompts: A prompt in the bottom-right corner urges you to press up on the d-pad for smartphone actions.
• Game Log: Review missed instructions or hints via the pause menu.

Money (HK$):

Your current money total is displayed on the top-right of the pause screen. Exchange rates (as of August 2012) were approximately HK$500 = US$64.

Ways to Spend Money:

• Buying goods and services
• Purchasing vehicles
• Acquiring clothing and accessories
• Upgrading safehouses
• Gambling
• Quick-travel via taxi
• Paying for medical treatment or police release

Ways to Make Money:

• Completing story missions
• Winning races
• Replaying missions and races via the Social Hub
• Completing favors, cases, jobs, drug busts, etc.
• Finding and opening lockboxes
• Hijacking and selling armored cars
• Completing Martial Arts Club tournaments
• Knocking over parking meters
• Gambling
• Completing "cop jobs" in the SWAT Pack DLC

Best Money-Making Methods:

• Tran's car theft missions: These unlock early and can yield around four million dollars.
• Cockfight betting: Can provide decent sums with time and effort.

Hacking Minigame:

You'll use your smartphone to hack computers and surveillance cameras. This involves a four-digit numerical password guessing game with feedback.

Hacking Feedback:

• Red Square: The number does not appear in the password.
• Yellow Circle: The number appears in the password but not in this position.
• Green Number: The correct number in the correct position.

Hacking Strategy:

1. Start with 0123: Eliminate numbers that receive red feedback.
2. Try the next sequence (e.g., 4567): Use yellow and green feedback to deduce positions. A yellow digit must be moved to a different position.
3. Use Logic: Retain green digits and known positions. Substitute remaining unknown digits (e.g., 8 or 9) in the correct position.
4. Deduce the Password: Continue guessing and eliminating until all four digits are green.

Important Notes:

• Passwords are randomly generated for each hacking event.
• You have a limited number of attempts per hack.
• Always discount red numbers, move yellow numbers, and retain green numbers.