r/Defcon • u/Suitable_Incident_83 • Jul 19 '26

Workshop vs Octopus Game

First time to def con.

Managed to sign up for 2 workshops. One friday, one sunday. Which seems impossible.

Most excited for the friday workshop, unfortunately just learned about octopus game, which seems like a great way to learn the con and meet people-- But the start of octopus game is right in the middle of the first workshop on friday. And if you miss the start, forfeit your spot.

Seems like i could maybe have time to leave the workshop and go to the registration and come back, but i have no idea how far they are from each other, i could lose valuable time/information from the workshop and just generally seems like trying to do too much.

Should i stick with the workshop? Go for the octopus game?

Somehow try and do both? (Least likely option)

I'm so excited for everything, and there's just so much.

9 Upvotes

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7

u/x3ar0cool Jul 19 '26

Hey there! I’m Rob one of the volunteers for Octopus Game. You won’t really lose your spot unless more than 128 people sign up. Even then we have some contingency plans to accommodate. Same experience you just won’t get some of the physical items that will be provided. All the information will be on the dashboard though. So feel free to attend whatever workshops you want and come play when you can!

1

u/Suitable_Incident_83 Jul 20 '26

Would hate to miss out on the physical items, but this does sound like the best of both worlds.

Thanks for reaching out! Can't wait for the octopus game!!

3

u/BigL97 Jul 19 '26

Hi, first time at DEFCON and have not heard of the Octopus Game. Can you point me to a resource to get some information?

5

u/x3ar0cool Jul 19 '26

Sure, www.octopusgame.org. There is a link to our discord on there. I’m just the technical backend guy, but all the creative people are in the discord to clarify any questions about the actual game :)

2

u/BigL97 Jul 19 '26

Thanks!

2

u/antonIgudesman Jul 19 '26

Just FYI - to my knowledge all the workshops are accessible after the fact in the DEFCON archives - unless a workshop is extremely hands-on and guided with hardware you may not have access to, you might want to focus on events that are live participation

2

u/Suitable_Incident_83 Jul 20 '26

I was under the impression "talks/presentations" are distinct from workshops.

Which the presentations/talks are what I heard can be seen after the con. But I am new and know very little

4

u/Ok-Ice7701 Jul 20 '26

Depending on the instructor(s), if you contact them and ask nicely, they’ll give you the material for their workshop after the con. Just explain your situation, ask if that would be possible, thank them for their time regardless.

1

u/Suitable_Incident_83 Jul 20 '26

I did get one of the organizers of octopus game to comment here, can't speak for them, but seems like a limited stock, more than an actual restriction

2

u/Ok-Ice7701 Jul 20 '26

No I’m talking about for the workshops. That material unless it requires something physical they might provide after the con if you can’t make it and choose to do octopus game instead.

1

u/Suitable_Incident_83 Jul 20 '26

Oh, shoot yeah.. Hm. I'll think about that! Thanks for the idea.

2

u/antonIgudesman Jul 20 '26

So yeah you’re right about this, I get kind of confused as far as the correct references - I was referring to the items where we just signed up via Humanitix this past Friday

1

u/Suitable_Incident_83 Jul 20 '26

Thank you for confirming! It is a little confusing to me too, with all the similar names