Cheat Engine AOB Scripting Tutorial: Unlock Hidden Game Mechanics

Cheat Engine (CE) is a powerhouse when it comes to memory scanning and game hacking. One of its most versatile features is Array of Byte (AOB) scanning, a method that allows you to create highly adaptable cheat scripts capable of working across different game versions.

Why Should You Learn This?

AOB scripting isn’t just about getting infinite health or ammo—it’s a deep dive into game mechanics, memory manipulation, and even basic reverse engineering. Here’s why learning this skill can be a game-changer:

• Game Modding and Personalization – Take full control over game mechanics, tweak difficulty, or create wild, custom mechanics.
• Cheat Development – Build resilient scripts that survive game updates.
• Understanding How Games Work – Gain insight into how games handle memory, paving the way for more advanced hacking techniques.
• Bypassing Static Address Limitations – Unlike static memory addresses, AOB scripts adapt to evolving memory structures.
• Safe Memory Manipulation – Learning the right techniques ensures a more stable, crash-free experience.

Important Warning

This guide is strictly for single-player games. Messing with multiplayer games is unethical, unfair, and can get you banned. Many online games deploy anti-cheat systems that detect and penalize such actions. However, in single-player games, you’re free to modify your experience however you like—whether you want to challenge yourself or create complete chaos.

This guide walks you through AOB scripting, from the basics to advanced wildcard techniques and ensuring safe memory access.

READ ALSO: Cyberpunk 2077 Save Editor Tutorial — Player and Weapon Stats List Tables

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1. Understanding AOB (Array of Bytes)

AOB scanning is a technique for identifying specific byte patterns in a game’s memory. These bytes represent assembly instructions, which can be altered to modify in-game behavior.

Why use AOB scripts?

• They are dynamic and don’t rely on static memory addresses.
• They remain effective across game updates (as long as the core logic remains unchanged).
• They enable direct control over game logic.

That said, memory modification comes with risks:

• Memory Access Violations – Altering memory incorrectly can crash the game or your system.
• System Instability – Some games protect memory regions; tampering with them can lead to unintended behavior.
• Data Corruption – Messing with the wrong values could corrupt your save data.

Always create a backup before modifying memory.

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2. Finding an AOB Pattern

Before writing a script, you need to locate the correct memory sequence in the game.

Step 1: Attach Cheat Engine to the Game Process

1. Launch Cheat Engine.
2. Start the game you want to modify.
3. Click Process List in CE and select the game’s process.

Step 2: Locate the Value to Modify

1. Identify the in-game value you want to change (e.g., ammo, health, money).
2. Use Exact Value or Unknown Initial Value scanning to find the memory address.

Step 3: Find the Instruction That Writes to the Value

1. Right-click the memory address and select “Find out what writes to this address.”
2. Perform an in-game action to modify the value.
3. A new entry will appear in the Debugger Window.
4. Select the instruction and click Show Disassembler.

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3. Extracting the AOB Pattern

Once inside the Disassembler Window, do the following:

1. Locate the relevant instruction modifying the value.
2. Right-click the instruction and select “Copy bytes” → “Copy bytes and Opcodes”.
3. Paste the copied bytes into a text editor. Example:89 83 ?? ?? 00 00 8B 45 ?? 8B 08
4. Replace dynamic addresses with ?? wildcards to maintain compatibility across updates.

Advanced Wildcard Techniques

For maximum script adaptability:

• Use variable-length wildcards (*) where the byte sequence might change.
• Replace register-dependent addresses (?? ??) for more flexibility.
• Avoid hardcoded offsets, opting for relative references instead.

Example:

89 83 ?? ?? 00 00 * 8B 45 ?? 8B 08

This technique ensures the script continues working even if minor updates tweak the memory layout.

READ ALSO: Step-by-Step Deadfire Modding Tutorial and Tools

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4. Creating the AOB Injection Script

With the AOB pattern ready, we can now write an Auto Assembly (AA) script for injecting custom code.

Step 1: Open the Auto Assembler

1. In Cheat Engine, go to Memory View.
2. Click Tools → Auto Assemble.
3. Click Template → AOB Injection.
4. Paste the AOB pattern from the previous step.

Step 2: Modify the Script

A sample script:

[ENABLE]
// Allocate memory for the injection
alloc(newmem,4096) // 4096 bytes to prevent overflows
label(returnhere)
label(originalcode)
label(exit)
// Locate the AOB pattern
aobscan(aobPattern,89 83 ?? ?? 00 00 8B 45 ?? 8B 08)
registersymbol(aobPattern)
aobPattern:
newmem:
 // Preserve register values
 push eax
 mov eax,#9999
 mov [rbx+000000??],eax
 pop eax
 jmp exit
originalcode:
 mov [rbx+000000??],eax
 jmp exit
exit:
 jmp returnhere
[DISABLE]
// Restore original values
unregistersymbol(aobPattern)
dealloc(newmem)

Step 3: Debugging and Optimization

To ensure smooth execution:

• Preserve Registers – Always use push and pop for register safety.
• Allocate Enough Memory – 4096 bytes minimizes overflow risks.
• Implement Backup Systems – Store original values before modification.
• Handle Conditional Jumps Correctly – Mismanaged jumps can crash the game.

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Conclusion

AOB scripting is a powerful yet responsible way to modify single-player game memory. It provides precise control over game mechanics and allows for creative experimentation.

Key Takeaways:

• AOB scanning helps locate adaptable byte patterns.
• Careful modifications prevent unintended consequences.
• Preserving registers ensures game stability.
• Thorough testing is crucial.
• NEVER use these techniques in multiplayer games. 

By mastering AOB scripting, you can reshape your gaming experience, whether by making a game harder, easier, or just plain ridiculous. The control is in your hands—use it wisely!