Sysdig, a leader in cloud and container security, was gearing up for a series of high-profile conferences. Like most exhibitors, they faced a common challenge: how do you cut through the noise of a crowded trade show floor and get attendees to actually stop, engage, and remember your brand?
Instead of relying on traditional swag like pens and tote bags, Sysdig wanted something more impactful—an experience that would not only attract visitors but also connect directly to their core message of stopping digital threats. That’s when they partnered with us to create “Whack-a-Threat”—a fast, fun, and branded mini-game designed to turn complex cybersecurity concepts into an interactive booth attraction.
The Challenge
Trade shows are fast-paced, noisy, and packed with booths all competing for the same attention. Sysdig needed more than banners and giveaways to stand out.
Their goals were clear:
Attract foot traffic to their booth in a crowded conference hall.
Communicate their core message—that Sysdig helps organizations stop security threats before they spread.
Create a fun, approachable experience around a technical topic like cloud and container security.
Capture qualified leads without slowing down the flow of visitors.
The challenge? Time. With less than a month before their event, Sysdig needed a creative solution that could be designed, branded, and deployed quickly—while still feeling polished and professional.
The Solution: Whack-a-Threat
To meet Sysdig’s goals, we designed a custom digital game inspired by the classic Whack-a-Mole but tailored to the world of cybersecurity.
How it worked:
- Attendees played quick 30–60 second rounds where “threats” (like malware, phishing, ransomware, and other digital dangers) popped up on-screen.
- Players had to “whack” the threats as fast as possible, symbolizing Sysdig’s mission of detecting and stopping risks before they cause damage.
- The game was hosted on large touchscreen kiosks for group visibility, with an option for QR code activation on mobile devices.
Branding & Customization:
- Sysdig’s colors, logo, and messaging were seamlessly integrated.
- Threat icons were designed based on real cybersecurity risks that Sysdig helps companies tackle.
- A branded leaderboard encouraged repeat play and friendly competition.
Lead Capture:
- Before starting the game, participants entered their details.
- Data was synced and stored, giving Sysdig’s marketing team valuable leads for follow-up.
The end result was an interactive experience that wasn’t just fun—it reinforced Sysdig’s story while driving booth engagement and lead generation.
Execution
Once Sysdig approved the concept, our team moved quickly to bring Whack-a-Threat to life.
- Rapid Development: The game was designed, branded, and fully functional in under two weeks, meeting the tight event deadline.
- Multi-Platform Setup: Optimized for large touchscreen kiosks to draw crowds and QR code activation so attendees could play on their own phones.
- Polished Design: We built high-quality UI and animations with Sysdig’s brand colors, logo, and custom “threat” characters.
Event-Ready Build: Short, snappy rounds ensured smooth booth traffic while still leaving a lasting impression.
By show day, Sysdig had a unique, fully branded experience that worked flawlessly in a high-traffic expo environment.
Results
The Whack-a-Threat game quickly became a centerpiece of Sysdig’s booth. Visitors were drawn in by the fast-paced gameplay and stayed engaged long enough to learn about Sysdig’s solutions.
- High Engagement: Attendees crowded around the kiosk, with many returning for multiple rounds to beat the leaderboard.
- Memorable Branding: By “whacking threats,” players experienced Sysdig’s mission in action—making the brand message stick.
- Lead Generation: Every playthrough started with a quick sign-up, helping Sysdig collect hundreds of qualified leads during the event.
- Social Buzz: The fun factor encouraged photos, videos, and word-of-mouth promotion on the show floor.
Reusability: The game was built to be repurposed, giving Sysdig a long-term asset for multiple conferences.
Overall, the game transformed Sysdig’s booth into an interactive hotspot that combined education, entertainment, and measurable ROI.
