Reading game files through notepad is commonly impossible, why?

[MrGoldenKity]

You know, you got the newest game, and you are curious how the code looks like, and you use notepad to check out the game files, but then you see huge characters saying "NULL NULL NULL"
in a weird font in black.

I'v always though it's encryption, or it's just compiled.

But, is there anyway to decompile it?

I am just curious why it is happening, and what exactly are those characters called?

 

[Wolfshadw]

It's been compiled and is not readable. Decompiling is, I believe, against the TOS of pretty much any game on the market, if not down-right illegal. It's fine to be curious, but don't let your curiosity get you into trouble.

-Wolf sends

 

[SkyNetRising]

With notepad you can read only text files - like log files, config files.
To view binary files (executables, data files), you'd have to use hex viewer/editor software.

 

[MrGoldenKity]

Well yeah, even if I did decompile it, what would I do with it anyways : p ?

Thank you : )