Sysdig’s Custom “Whack-a-Threat” Cybersecurity Game for Tradeshow

whack a threat game

Sysdig, a global leader in cloud security, wanted a fun, high-energy way to explain complex threat-detection conceptsat cybersecurity and developer conferences. Traditional brochures weren’t working — people were passing by the booth without understanding what Sysdig does.

Sysdig approached Twin Reality to create a custom branded game that instantly attracts crowds and communicates their core message:
real-time threat detection should be fast, simple, and powerful.

The result?
A wildly successful arcade-style activation called “Whack-a-Threat.”

Client

Sysdig — Cloud Security Monitoring & Threat Detection Company
Industry: Cybersecurity
Region: USA & Global Events

Sysdig office

Challenge

Sysdig needed to solve three major challenges at their events:

1. Booth visitors didn’t understand Sysdig’s real-time threat detection in seconds
Explaining a technical product quickly is hard at busy conferences.

2. Competing booths were using flashy elements — Sysdig needed a unique differentiator
They wanted something more memorable than videos or giveaways.

3. They needed a crowd magnet that tied directly into their cybersecurity story
The game must be fun but also educational and brand-aligned.

Solution — “Whack-a-Threat” Custom Game

Twin Reality designed a fast-paced, arcade-style security game inspired by classic Whack-A-Mole mechanics — but with a cybersecurity twist.
How the Game Works

    • Threat icons (malware, anomalies, suspicious containers, etc.) pop up rapidly.
    • Players must “whack” threats before they disappear.
    • Safe actions (like compliance checks) appear too — hitting them reduces points.
    • A dynamic leaderboard showcases top performers.
    • The entire experience is wrapped in Sysdig’s brand colors, mascots, and terminology, reinforcing their message through gameplay.
whack a threat

Key Features Built

1. Fully Branded UI/UX
Every screen, animation, icon, and scoreboard was designed with Sysdig’s visual identity.

2. Fast Gameplay Loop Designed for Trade Shows
Each round lasts 30–40 seconds, perfect for non-stop booth traffic.

3. Dynamic Threat Types
Threat levels escalate each round, simulating real Sysdig use cases such as:

    • Container anomalies
    • Suspicious network behavior
    • Misconfigurations
    • Runtime threats
    • Kubernetes risks

4. Live Leaderboard

    • Encouraged competition
    • Increased repeat attempts
    • Allowed Sysdig staff to start conversations easily

Impact & Results

1. 4x Higher Booth Footfall
Passersby were drawn by the fast motion and arcade-style sounds.

2. Easier Conversations for Sales Team
Instead of explaining from scratch, staff used the game to introduce Sysdig’s values:
“Just like in the game, Sysdig detects and eliminates threats in real time.”

3. Audience Played More Than Once
Competitive Leaderboard = crowds returning with friends.

4. Clearer Product Understanding

Visitors remembered the story:

    • Threats = risks
    • Whack action = instant detection/removal
    • Score = performance

5. Sysdig reused the game in multiple events worldwide
The game became part of their repeatable event toolkit, saving cost for each booth.

Why This Game Worked So Well

1. Fast to Understand
Even a 5-second glance explains the idea — crucial for crowded US trade shows.

2. Emotion + Competition
Games trigger excitement, not passive viewing.

3. Direct Product Metaphor
The mechanic literally represents Sysdig’s “real-time threat detection.”

4. Share-worthy Moment
People took selfies with the scoreboard → more organic reach.

Technology Used

    • Unity Game Engine
    • Touch Input + Desktop Input
    • Custom UI Animations
    • Real-time Leaderboard System
    • Offline Mode + Lightweight Build for Travel
    • Multi-resolution support (iPads, kiosks, LED screens)

Client Feedback

“This is the most engaging explanation of Sysdig we’ve ever had at a conference. People instantly understand our value. The booth was packed all day.”

About Twin Reality

Twin Reality builds custom branded games for trade shows, events, and marketing activations.
We help brands turn their booth into a high-traffic, high-engagement experience.

Our solutions include:

Vishal Singh
Vishal Singh
I'm Vishal Singh, a passionate VR enthusiast with an insatiable curiosity for the limitless realms of virtual reality. Diving deep into the immersive worlds of VR, I explore, review, and dissect the latest innovations and experiences this incredible technology has to offer.