Building a Game Engine for 300 DEFCON Hackers to Smash

Explore the development of a unique game engine designed for a narrative-driven capture-the-flag (CTF) event at DEFCON 26. Learn how Alex Stockwell and Kevin Tyers created a platform enabling direct player interactions with a semi-automated "Handler" entity, providing game information, objectives, hints, and scoring. Discover the challenges faced and lessons learned from building a system robust enough to withstand attempts by 300+ skilled hackers competing for a $10,000 grand prize. Gain insights into the process of bringing an innovative gaming vision to life and the technical considerations involved in creating a secure, interactive experience for some of the world's top cybersecurity professionals.