Capture The Flag
All our ovens are fired up for this year's ROOTCON CTF! With change comes challenge. As ROOTCON moves to a new venue, the CTF is evolving right along with it. This year, we are leveling up the challenge to match this new era, while still staying true to our main goal of aiming to highlight the best and the brightest talents our local hacking community has to offer! As always, Pwn De Manila stands by its commitment to making intellectually-rewarding and painfully-meaningful CTF challenges that aim to meet ROOTCON's reputation and tradition of bringing organized chaos to con-goers every year. Pwn De Manila is ready to serve. On the menu: freshly baked chaos. Think you can handle the heat?

Are you up for the challenge?
Do you have what it takes to be listed in the hall of fame?
We know you can, now prove it.

Regards,
Pwn De Manila

Objective
There will be 5 sets of challenges from different categories, ranging from easy to hard. The main objective of the game is to get the associated flag per challenge.

Staff
potato
oR10n
Shikata Ga Nai

Eligibility
- Open to all ROOTCON attendees.
- Must be pre-registered no on-site registration.
Registration: Pre-registration is mandatory at (https://rootc.onl/contestreg)

Schedule
When: Opens 09-25-2025 @ 1015HRS - Closing 09-25-2025 @ 1600HRS
Where: ROOTCON 19 @ Track 3

Mechanics
- The game shall be played by team of 3 max.
- Solve the challenges and submit the flags.

Rules
1. NO DIRECT DDoS or any form of ATTACKS on the game servers, anyone caught attacking the server will be disqualified. (let others enjoy the game)
2. Minimum team members is 2, maximum is 3.
3. Only teams that pre-registered can play.
4. Sharing of flags is strictly prohibited, anyone caught will be disqualified.
5. Only one CTF winner will be declared, the winning team should at least earn 3500 points.

Prize
Only one team will remain to be crowned champions of the ROOTCON 19 CTF Finals
Three (3) guaranteed Black Badge that entitles the winner to attend ROOTCON the following year for FREE.

- Three Capture The Flag trophy
- Virtual Blackbadge
- Bragging rights
- Hall of Fame mention

Note: If the winning team only achieves 3500 and or less than 4500, the team only gets two Blackbadge.

Hacker Jeopardy
ROOTCON’s legendary after-party headliner— where trivia meets shots, heckling fuels the chaos, and only the sharpest (or the drunkest) survive. It’s not just a game, it’s a battle of booze and brains with bragging rights that last a lifetime. Win it all, and you’ll be immortalized as a true Hacker Jeopardy legend in ROOTCON history.

Objective
To be sober enough to win at the end of this alcohol-binging trivia game.

Staff
@devnull
@ar33zy

Eligibility
- Open to all ROOTCON registered attendees. (requires Human+ or Human badge)
- Must be pre-registered no on-site registration.
Registration: No need to pre-registration, you can volunteer at the venue.

Schedule
When: The craziness happens on September 26, 2025 @ 2000HRS
Where: Track 1
Registration: Free for all RC19 Con-Goers – just make sure you’re wearing your badge! (no pre-registration required)

Mechanics
Hacker Jeopardy is adopted from the US game show, Jeopardy!, but instead of players betting questions with money, they wager alcoholic drinks and earn points. Answer a question correctly, your team earns a point and ALL your opponents drink the wagered booze. But if you get the answer wrong, your team gets some brain cells killed and -10 DEXTERITY by downing the penalty drinks. It's that simple!

Rules
- Hack hard, party harder… but no puking on the conference floor.
- Don’t be a jerk — no harassment, in any form, at any time.

Prize
Three (3) guaranteed Black Badge that entitles the winner to attend ROOTCON the following year for FREE.

- Three Hacker Jeopardy Trophy
- Virtual Blackbadge
- Bragging rights
- Hall of Fame mention

Hacker Karaoke
Hackers may crack code by day, but at night they crack high notes. Hacker Karaoke is ROOTCON’s stage for off-key anthems, meme songs, and unexpected bangers. It’s not about perfect pitch — it’s about courage, creativity, and community laughs.

Objective
To create a fun, community-driven event where con-goers can showcase their personality beyond hacking, let loose, and bond over music and humor.

Staff
@m0gul
@whiskah

Eligibility
- Open to all ROOTCON registered attendees. (requires Human+ or Human badge)
- Solo performances only — no duets or groups.
- Speakers, Attendees, and sponsors are invited to join!
Registration: No need to pre-registration, you can volunteer at the venue.

Schedule
- When: September 25, 2025 @ 2000HRS
- Where: ROOTCON 19 @ Track 4

Mechanics
- Participants register before the event starts (slots are limited).
- Song choice must come from the official karaoke list (no outside tracks).
- Each participant has one performance slot, maximum 5 minutes.

Performances will be judged on:
- Vocal Delivery – 30%
- Stage Presence / Showmanship – 30%
- Creativity & Style – 20%
- Crowd Engagement – 20%
- In case of a tie, a sudden-death sing-off decides the winner.

Rules
- Solo performances only.
- Keep it safe: no offensive, discriminatory, or NSFW acts.
- Respect equipment, staff, and fellow hackers.
- Crowd is encouraged to cheer, but not to disrupt.
- Judges’ decisions are final.

Prize
One (1) guaranteed Black Badge that entitles the winner to attend ROOTCON the following year for FREE.

- Challenge Coins
- Virtual Blackbadge
- Bragging rights
- Hall of Fame mention

Mystery Challenge
An immersive challenge that will test your deductive skills, critical thinking, and ability to unravel a cryptic puzzle shrouded in intrigue and of course your hack-fu skills. Prepare to step into the shoes of an amateur sleuth as you navigate through the enigmatic twists and turns of The Mystery Challenge.

The game involves scavenger hunt, cryptos lots of cryptos, puzzles, riddles, etc...

Objective
To be able to solve the Mystery Challenge (duh)

Staff
@semprix

Eligibility
- Must be registered ROOTCON Con-goers.
Registration: Pre-registration is mandatory at (https://rootc.onl/contestreg)

Schedule
When: September 25, 2025 @ 1015HRS
Where: Royce Hotel in Clark

Mechanics
- The game shall be played by only two individuals, you and your buddy / partner whatever you call them.
- This is a race to time game, whoever solves the mystery challenge first will be declared winner.
- Solving the challenges involves mental and physical stamina, so be ready not to breakdown.

Rules
- No physical coercion on the game organizers and other players.
- Some of the challenges will be hosted online NO DIRECT DDoS to the host, anyone caught will be disqualified.

Prize
Two (2) guaranteed Black Badge that entitles the winner to attend ROOTCON the following year for FREE.

- Mystery Challenge Coins
- Virtual Blackbadge
- Bragging rights
- Hall of Fame mention
- Other swags (we love giving away swags!) **wink** **wink**

Spot The Feds
Spot the Feds is a classic hacker-con social game where attendees put their sleuthing skills to the test by identifying undercover Feds hidden in plain sight. Players roam the con floor, strike up conversations, and when suspicion rises, hit them with the magic words: “Are you a Fed?” Call it right, and you earn bragging rights (and swag); call it wrong, and you just keep hunting. It’s part paranoia, part fun, and 100% hacker-con tradition.

Objective
Your mission is simple: spot undercover Feds lurking among the crowd. They blend in well, so stay sharp and trust your instincts.

Staff
@Eman0n
@schiaparelli

Eligibility
- Open to all ROOTCON Con-goers.
- Goons are not eligible to play.
Registration: Pre-registration is mandatory at (https://rootc.onl/contestreg)

Schedule
When: Hunting starts 09-25-2025 @ 0000HRS - Closes 09-26-2025 @ 1400HRS
Where: ROOTCON 19

Mechanics
- If you think you’ve identified a Fed, approach them directly and ask the magic words: “Are you a Fed?”
- The accused must answer truthfully.

If You’re Right
- The accused Fed will confirm their identity.
- You and the Fed head to the registration desk together.
- Congratulations! You’ve successfully spotted a Fed.

If You’re Wrong
- No harm done (but maybe some embarrassment).
- You can keep guessing — but use your shots wisely.

Rules
- One Spot per Fed: Once a Fed is correctly identified, that round is over.
- No Harassment: Be respectful. This is a fun social game, not an excuse for interrogation.
- Feds Must Play Fair: If you’re tapped as a Fed, you must reveal it when called out.
- Prizes: Successful spotters earn bragging rights, cool swag and maybe challenge coins
Whether your doing it as a team or individual prize is limited to two (2) only. Two guaranteed Black Badge that entitles the winner to attend ROOTCON the following year for FREE.

Prize
One (1) guaranteed Black Badge that entitles the winner to attend ROOTCON the following year for FREE.

- Challenge Coins
- Virtual Blackbadge
- Bragging rights
- Hall of Fame mention

Wi-Finders
The hunt is on for ROOTCON 19’s Wi-Finders Wardriving Contest! Ready your rigs, mobile devices, and GPS as you scour the streets for wireless signals. Using Wigle.Net as the central scoreboard, it’s all about who can log the most unique access points within the contest window. No cracking, no interference — just pure reconnaissance skill and exploration.

Objective
The objective of Wi-Finders is to challenge participants to safely explore and map the wireless landscape by discovering and logging WiFi access points. Using Wigle.Net as the central platform, the contest promotes awareness of the ubiquity of wireless networks, demonstrates reconnaissance techniques, and encourages ethical wardriving practices without crossing into unauthorized access or intrusion.

Staff
@semprix
@thejanitor
@m0gul

Eligibility
- Open to all ROOTCON Con-goers.
- Goons are not eligible to play.
- Only registered con-goer is eligible to win a prize.
Registration: Join the ROOTCON Wi-Finders group at (https://wigle.net/stats#groupstats), and search ROOTCON Wi-Finders to join.

Schedule
When: Collection of networks starts 09-23-2025 @ 0000HRS - Closes 09-26-2025 @ 1400HRS
Where: Anywhere with WiFi signals (**duh**)

Mechanics
Join the Group
- Participants must join the official ROOTCON Wi-Finders Group on Wigle.Net (https://wigle.net/stats#groupstats), and search ROOTCON Wi-Finders and join.

Scan & Collect
- Drive, walk, or explore safely to discover WiFi networks.
- Only networks logged between September 23, 2025, 00:00HRS and September 26, 2025, 14:00HRS (PHT) will be valid.
- Anything logged outside this window will not count.

Submit Results
- Scores will be automatically tallied from Wigle.Net under the ROOTCON Wi-Finders Group.
- No manual submissions will be accepted.

Rules
- Only WiFi access points logged between September 23, 2025, 0000HRS and September 26, 2025, 1400HRS (PHT) will be valid.
- Wigle.Net only counts unique APs (by BSSID) per participant. Logging the same AP multiple times or in different locations will not increase your score.

- Bonus points are awarded for:
- +5 First Discoveries (new APs never seen on Wigle.Net before).

- No connecting, cracking, or interfering with networks — discovery only.
- Do not trespass on private property. Follow all laws and traffic regulations.
- Unsafe, illegal, or disruptive behavior will result in disqualification.

Prize
Whether your doing it as a team or individual prize is limited to two (2) only.
Two guaranteed Black Badge that entitles the winner to attend ROOTCON the following year for FREE.

- Challenge Coins
- Virtual Blackbadge
- Bragging rights
- Hall of Fame mention