Play with Us
FAQ
Answers about Alleycat, Neotropolis, the platform, and how to play or build
The Basics
Is Alleycat real, or is it part of the LARP?
Both. It began as fiction on Keplar 609-c, the in-universe home of Neotropolis. About a year later it became a real project: open source hardware and software, a volunteer community, and a crew that builds and runs the experience each year. At the event you step into the fiction. Year-round the work lives on GitHub, Discord, and wherever makers are extending the stack.
What is Neotropolis, and how does it relate to Alleycat?
The Neotropolis event is a four-day pop-up cyberpunk city in the Mojave Desert. Alleycat is one experience inside that event: our flagship bounty-hunting LARP and the reference deployment for the platform. You do not need Alleycat to enjoy Neotropolis, and you do not need Neotropolis lore to treat the game as a social icebreaker. Read the LARP guide
I Want to Play
Do I have to roleplay to play?
No. Many players go deep on character; many treat Quickdraw as a reason to talk to strangers. We design for both without making either side perform for the other.
How does the game work?
Hunters and Bounties carry Portable Data Nodes (PDNs). The core loop is Quickdraw: two players jack their PDNs together with the audio cable, wait for a countdown, and press a button as fast as they can after Go. The device records the result; leaderboards track standings for the season. Multiplayer modes, FDN MK I puzzles, and venue minigames add layers over the weekend. The point is in-person interaction, not a solo puzzle.
What's the difference between a Hunter and a Bounty?
You pick a role at registration. Hunters seek Bounties for Quickdraw duels. Bounties can accept duels, evade, or lean into being hunted. Same PDN hardware, same core mechanics; different fiction and incentives. Either way the goal is to get two humans talking.
How do I get started at Neotropolis?
Go to Megablock and follow signage for New Assets. You will watch short training films, choose Hunter or Bounty, get an ID card and PDN, and scan your Neoband to load your profile. Staff run newcomers in small batches so nobody gets lost. Walk through onboarding at Neotropolis
How can I stay involved between events?
Follow Instagram, join Discord, and watch Events for where we are headed next. The community does not shut down when the city comes down.
I Want to Build
Can I actually build and run this myself?
Yes. Hardware, firmware, and game logic are open source. GitHub and Open Source Hardware are the starting points: fork, replicate, or contribute back. A full deployment still takes build skills, tooling, and field ops (devices, Mission Control, and people on the ground). We are working toward kits and devices for purchase; watch Community or Discord for updates.
Can I join as a volunteer?
Yes. Alleycat runs on volunteers: programmers, engineers, designers, artists, and operators who help build and run each season. Join Discord for opportunities, or pick up issues on GitHub.
What skills are useful if I want to contribute?
Electronics and fabrication, ESP32 firmware, web and server work, game design, props, storytelling, and live-event ops all have a home here. One strong skill is enough. Meet the team · Open Source
Which PDN generation is current?
Field deployments today use PDN MK I and PDN MK II (shared BOM; MK II adds wireless scoring and the refined enclosure introduced at Neo 2025). Earlier Proto-PDN hardware was retired after Neo 2023. See the PDN page and the decommissioned entries on Open Source Hardware for history.
For Game Designers and Event Producers
What is Alleycat as a platform, not just a Neotropolis game?
Alleycat is open source infrastructure for in-person play: custom hardware and software that gets people interacting in physical space. Players meet through the PDN. PvP modes like Quickdraw are the icebreaker. FDN MK I nodes add PVE layers (minigames, training, lore, world state). Mission Control lets operators run and improvise in real time. Neotropolis is our flagship skin; the same stack can support other themes and venues. Read how the platform works
How is this different from a phone-based scavenger hunt or escape room?
The device is a prop and a catalyst, not the whole show. We ship simple rules in firmware; players supply alliances, catchphrases, and house rules we never wrote down. The tech gives strangers a reason to talk; the story happens between them. It scales in open environments with operator control, without pulling people out of the world you are building.
Can I deploy Alleycat at my own event or convention?
The codebase is built for that. Reskin game logic, extend the hardware ecosystem, and run Mission Control for your venue. Expect real investment in devices, infrastructure, and ops. Start on Open Source and reach out on Discord if you want to talk through a self-serve deployment.
Can the Alleycat team run the game at my event?
Yes. We can be hired to bring and operate Alleycat at conventions, corporate events, retreats, and similar gatherings. Contact us to talk through your event.