Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac missing HCA key by screw at 3:58 PM EDT on October 1, 2025
I am attempting to replace audio in the PC version of the recently released Pac-Man World 2 remake.
The game's audio files are stored in .acb/.awb file pairs located in the "StreamingAssets" subfolder, under scrambled filenames. There are also .usm video files contained within an additional "Movie" subfolder.
I have been able to find the hash method used to create these scrambled filenames, and using a list of the audio and video files's true names located in the Unity asset packages, I have been able to restore all the filenames.
I have placed all of the renamed audio and video files into this package, along with a text file describing all of the original hashed filenames they are normally distributed with. In the event the decryption key is found, this package should be preferable for adding to the Music Archive, as opposed to a package containing the files with the hashed filenames.
Unfortunately, despite all my efforts, I have not been able to find the decryption key required to play these files (or, in my case, create replacement .hca files.)
Looking at the "CriWareInitializer" asset contained within "sharedassets0.assets" shows a field where a decryption key COULD go, but it is blank. This does not mean the files are unencrypted, as they still will not play via vgmstream without outputting static. The files are encrypted, but something else in the game is controlling the key.
Attempts at decompiling the executable have not helped me find it, either, but I am positive that is only because I have very little skill in that task and have been looking in all the wrong places.
I am also sharing this package containing the game's executables and a tiny selection of the game's core asset packages in the hopes that someone here more skilled with reverse engineering this sort of thing can find the key, since I cannot.
I will not send the entirety of the game's files both due to legal concerns, and due to a lack of upload speed / cloud storage on my end. I have serious doubts that the key would be located outside of the files I have sent, anyway.
I am desperate to find this key in order to continue my modding work. This is the only place that I know of where I have a chance of finding someone capable of finding this key.