(CN) - Game hacking software distributed by GameAnarchy has ruined the massive online multiplayer game "Combat Arms," game producer Nexon America claims in federal court in Los Angeles.
     The software lets players become invisible to other players, use weapons that never miss, remove game obstacles like fog and darkness and even crash entire games, according to the lawsuit.
     Nexon says GameAnarchy circumvents its control on game play by injecting bits of code into the "Combat Arms" program that runs on the player's computer.
     The cheats ruin the game for legitimate players who spend "hundreds of hours" building up their online characters and damages Nexon by discouraging those players from participating, Nexon says.
     "Combat Arms" is a free game with over 3 million subscribers. Nexon makes money by selling character modifications like uniforms, physical features and stronger weapons from an online "armory."
     On the game's website, Nexon maintains there are no "golden guns" that allow players to always hit their targets or otherwise enhance normal game physics in the game or in the armory.
     Maintaining equal access to weapons that are designed to function within the limits of the game is essential to its success, Nexon says.
     In addition to copyright infringement, circumvention, and unfair competition, Nexon claims GameAnarchy induces "Combat Arms" players to violate the terms-of-use and end-user license agreements they agree to before playing the game.
     In both agreements, players specifically agree not to modify the game's software on their own or through the use of third party hacking software.
     Nexon is asking for an injunction to shut down the GameAnarchy website, which is owned by David Allen Barker of Georgia and forbid Barker and any of his employees from otherwise distributing "Combat Arms" hacking software.
     In addition, Nexon wants damages for copyright infringement and disgorgement of all money from its sales.
     Nexon is represented by Karin Pagnanelli and Marc Mayer with Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp in Los Angeles.