ConQwest is a Big Game in the evolving tradition of B.U.G. (Big Urban Game) and Pac-Manhattan. The gameplay was designed by Frank Lantz, with help from Mattia Romeo. Dennis Crowley designed and built the semacode system, based on Simon Woodside’s original idea and code. The game was conceived of and directed by SS+K, Kevin Slavin, Liz Cioffi and others. The promotional agency AMP was responsible for all the on-site implementation.



Conceived of by Simon Woodside, semacodes are being used for the first time in the U.S. in Conqwest. Semacodes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned and decoded with a cameraphone.

Semacode stickers are placed around the city the morning of the event - some in plain sight (think street signs and store windows), others can only be found by interacting with people.