Cybersecurity D&D Video Series
We built a story-driven video series that boosted Forescout’s presence in the infosec world by mixing cybersecurity insights with the fun of RPG culture.
Three short films and one fully designed tabletop role-playing game.
Months of worldbuilding, detailed prop design, and production
All this packed into a D&D / cybersecurity crossover that blurred the lines between branded content and playable experience.
With Dungeons and Data, we set out to help Forescout create a brand storytelling series unlike anything in cybersecurity marketing.
Instead of another explainer or product video, we built an entire fantasy RPG universe with its quests, heroes, and spells rooted in real-world industrial cybersecurity challenges.
What the client needed
Forescout wanted a branding campaign that would:
- Highlight their expertise in securing operational technology (OT) and industrial environments, where outdated systems still run some very critical infrastructure.
- Engage everyone from CISO-level executives to entry-level analysts.
- Deliver an authentic, pop-culture-inspired hook for a tech-savvy, detail-oriented audience.
The challenge was to make the complex, often invisible world of OT cybersecurity fun, relatable, and unforgettable, but without oversimplifying the stakes.
Finding the concept
We explored dozens of creative directions with Forescout before landing on the breakthrough idea:
What if defending your network felt like playing an RPG?
The concept instantly resonated, especially with our audience of IT pros who are as likely to own a set of polyhedral dice as they are to run a network scan.
And, as it so happens, it was inspired by Rik Ferguson's (VP of Security Intelligence at Forescout) 2023 article: "5 Things SecOps Can Learn from Dungeons & Dragons".
Episode 2
Building the game
So what was the coolest thing about this project? Well, we didn’t just create a fictional game for the films. Actually, we designed a fully fleshed-out RPG, complete with:
- Five hero characters — from the confident CISO to the old-school OT Engineer, each represented by their own 3D printed miniatures.
- A modular game board system with maps for corporate, industrial, healthcare, IoT, and internet terrains.
- Spell and item cards like Firewall, Illuminate, Vigilance, and the tongue-in-cheek Cast Persky — all referencing real cybersecurity concepts.
- Custom props including the Dungeon Master’s screen, Rogue Artefacts, and the Vault of Knowledge.
Every asset was built with authenticity in mind.
We collaborated with top RPG miniature artists (IMIĘ NAZWISKO), adapted existing terrain models, and infused the designs with subtle humour and insider references that the cybersecurity community would catch immediately.
Writing the script
The three episodes follow a team of players, led by a Dungeon Master, through scenarios that mirror real-world cybersecurity threats. Each film focuses on a different key Forescout message (), woven into the game narrative so naturally it never feels like a sales pitch.
We layered in easter eggs, visual gags, and pop culture nods, from classic D&D tropes to cybersecurity inside jokes - creating a campaign that invited rewatching and sharing.
Examples?
"I have no choice, I... Cast Persky"... "Nothing happened"
Production
We filmed all three episodes in a single day. The simple, table-centred setup allowed us to capture some genuine reactions, banter, and emotional beats, while ensuring the intricate game world was front and centre.
Episode 3
Did it work?
Well, being the nerds we are, we loved it and so did the client. But there was more than that, of course 🙂
When the videos were shared on social media, they became a talking point in the IT security space. In fact the first episode was posted on LinkedIn by Rik Ferguson, it sparked a comment from a cybersecurity storytelling professional suggesting we turn Dungeons and Data into an actual commercial game - even hinting at a Kickstarter launch.
That’s the kind of reaction you can’t buy: genuine proof that what we designed had playable potential beyond the screen.
We also entered the campaign in the WorldMediaFestivals contest, where it scored the silver prize in the Marketing & Promotions | Technology Marketing category.
Summary and results
- We combined film production, game design, and brand storytelling into a single creative ecosystem.
- We built an original RPG with full gameplay mechanics, characters, props, and terrains.
- We produced three brand films in a single shoot day without compromising their detail or quality.
- The campaign was praised for its creativity and authenticity and landed a Silver Award at the WorldMediaFestivals 2025 in Berlin
- The concept resonated with industry professionals and is considered for launch as a potential real-world product.
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