We Turned 25...and Made an Arcade Game About It!

At OpenVPN, we’ve spent 25 years talking about very serious things: encrypted tunnels, Zero Trust, secure remote access, and catastrophic breach headlines.

But to celebrate this auspicious year, we’re breaking with tradition. Because sometimes the best way to explain cybersecurity… is with a spinning shield and shiny pretend viruses.

Okay, okay, it might not be the best way to explain it, but we guarantee it is the most fun. And sometimes you just need a little more fun in your life.

So we built a browser game: arcade.openv.pn.

It’s retro. It’s chaotic. And it just might distract you from that project you were supposed to finish, so beware.

Oh, and did we mention? We’re turning it into a contest.

Welcome to: CyberSpin Defender

The premise is simple:

You are the last line of defense between your company’s precious data core and a relentless barrage of incoming viruses.

You have:

• A spinning shield
• Increasingly stressful incoming threats
• An angry boss who refuses to “waste budget” on a VPN
• And an overworked security analyst who is doing their best

Your mission? Block the viruses. Save the data. Survive your manager.

As you play, you’ll encounter gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) nudges about why maybe—just maybe—using a VPN or embracing ZTNA isn’t optional in 2026.

Think of it as cybersecurity awareness training… but with fewer PowerPoint slides and more pixelated panic.

The contest: highest score wins

We’re putting $100 on the line.

Prize: $100 Amazon gift card
Winner: Whoever holds the highest score on the leaderboard at the end of March

To enter:

1. Play the game at arcade.openv.pn.
2. Submit your email when you win.
3. Get your name on the leaderboard.
4. Whoever’s at #1 at 11:59 PM on March 31st will be crowned our champion defender of the data core (and win $100 Amazon gift card!).

Bragging rights included. Manager approval not guaranteed.

Why we made this (besides the general awesomeness)

Cybersecurity fatigue is real.

“Use strong passwords.”
“Don’t click suspicious links.”
“Enable MFA.”
“Deploy a VPN.”
“Adopt ZTNA.”

After a while, it all blends together.

So we thought: what if you could feel what it’s like to defend against constant incoming threats? What if you could experience the absurdity of trying to protect systems without the right tools?

In the game, your manager keeps opening sketchy attachments. In real life, that’s not so far-fetched.

The difference? In real life, tools like VPN and zero trust access actually help you win.

A note about that manager

Yes, the manager in the game is loud.
Yes, they ignore basic security advice.
Yes, they absolutely would click on “invoice_final_REAL(3).zip.”

We’ve all met this character (that’s the joke).

But the lesson underneath? Security isn’t just about tools. It’s about decisions. Culture. Budget priorities. And whether someone is willing to listen to the exhausted analyst waving red flags in the corner.

Think you can top the leaderboard?

The shield gets faster.
The viruses get sneakier.
Your boss gets… bossier.

If you think you have the reflexes, the focus, and the sheer willpower to defend the data core under absurd working conditions, now’s your moment. Celebrate our 25th year with us and see what high score you can get.

Head to arcade.openv.pn.
Start playing.
Climb the leaderboard.

And at the end of March, one champion will walk away with a $100 Amazon gift card—and the satisfaction of having saved the data core from managerial chaos.

Happy birthday to us — and game on.

Official Rules: OpenVPN March Arcade Contest

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

1. Eligibility

The Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of OpenVPN Inc., its affiliates, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate. Void where prohibited by law. The contest is open to OpenVPN partners, including MSPs and VARs. 

2. Contest Period

The Contest begins on March 1, 2026, at 12:00 AM Pacific Time and ends on March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time ("Contest Period").

3. How to Enter

To enter, visit arcade.openv.pn during the Contest Period and play the designated game. Entrants must provide a valid email address to record their score on the leaderboard. Limit one (1) entry per person; multiple accounts will result in disqualification.

4. Winner Determination (Skill-Based)

This is a contest of skill. The winner will be the individual with the single highest recorded score on the official leaderboard at the end of the Contest Period.

• Tie-Breaking: In the event of a tie, the entrant who achieved the high score first (based on the timestamp in the database) will be declared the winner.

5. Prize

One (1) winner will receive a $100 Gift Card (Approximate Retail Value: $100). No cash or other prize substitution is permitted except at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Winner is responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes.

6. Disqualification & Anti-Cheating

OpenVPN Inc. reserves the right to disqualify any entrant found to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the game, including the use of bots, scripts, or any exploit. Any attempt to deliberately damage the website or undermine legitimate operation is a violation of criminal and civil laws.

7. Limitation of Liability

By participating, entrants agree to release and hold harmless OpenVPN Inc. and its affiliates from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, or damage that may occur from participation in the Contest or use of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible for technical, network, or server failures that prevent a score from being recorded.

8. Privacy

Information submitted with an entry is subject to the OpenVPN Privacy Policy. By winning, the entrant grants Sponsor permission to use their name/likeness for promotional purposes unless prohibited by law.

9. Sponsor

The Contest is sponsored by OpenVPN Inc., located at 6200 Stoneridge Mall Rd. STE 300, Pleasanton, California 94588