802.XP Badge - GrrCon 2025

Table of Contents

Your quest

Explore the conference and downtown Grand Rapids to “defeat” as many WiFi networks as you can to reach level 16 before you die!

How it works

3D Render of the badge

  • Your badge includes stats for Health (H), Experience Points (X) and Level (L).
  • Earn experience and gain health for each new network you find. The less secure the network, the more experience awarded
  • You slowly lose health over time. If you go too long without finding a new network you die!
  • Your badge will broadcast its own wireless network which you can connect to in order to view stats for your current run.

When your badge starts up, it will send the WiFi information including unique SSID and password via USB serial at a baud rate of 115200.

[802XP] SoftAP started
[802XP] SSID: 802XP_E3C869
[802XP] PASS: 6YXULYYO
[802XP] AP IP: 192.168.4.1
[802XP] Web server started (captive portal)

Connecting to it with another device will trigger a captive portal and show some statistcs. Stats webpage example

Prizes?

Be one of the first dozen or so people to reach the final level and earn a “challenge coin”!

Provide me proof of your winning badge to claim your prize.

FAQ

I died. Now what?

You can wallow in your shame and let the death animation loop continuously… or you can remove a battery and re-insert it to try again.

Does the badge attack wireless networks?

No, it just receives information being broadcast from nearby networks and catalogs public information about them. It does not attempt to connect to any network. It does broadcast its own network which allows you to connect to it to view stats.

Can I hack my own badge/cheat to win?

Of course, it’s your hardware to own and do with what you wish. Bonus accolades for the most creative methods.

Note: There are no intentional design flaws for hacking the badge via USB serial or via WiFi with what I have running on the badge. Your avenues of tinkering with the firmware are limited to the ways in which the ESP 8266 boards are designed. If you do decide to mess with the firmware and somehow brick it/mess it up, just find me and I can re-flash it for you. I’ll make the code available on GitHub sometime after the conference.

How long do the batteries last?

With 3 new decent quality AA batteries, it should last both days of GrrCon if you remember to remove one of the batteries overnight.

It broke, how do I fix it/how do I contact you?

I have extra lanyards, 3d printed housing and parts to do repairs if something breaks. Use one of the contact methods on this site or find me around the con.

Signal is the easiest digital method for me: https://signal.me/#eu/whAdOcDxmZCQPBM1jfAIpp1D6JJ492gpaOEaDlNdBVCuIxOaLLFDvJ_ml_ij2PKV

Signal

Can I donate to help cover the cost of materials?

That’s very kind of you, but that is not necessary. If you do feel strongly about it, you can message me for my Venmo information.