NEOTROPOLIS will return April 29th-May 3rd, 2026
Tickets are on sale now.

What are Factions?

Neotropolis encourages participants to join with their friends and campmates and form “Factions” with a unique theme and focus (similar to the “Tribes” at our Wasteland Weekend event). A Faction is a group of people (or individuals) with a shared concept, identity, and story. People who have come together, and go all-out with coordinated costumes, themed camps/vehicles, and maybe even a logo or faction I.D. cards.

Factions may form “alliances” and “rivalries” with each other, opening up a whole range of interaction and games.

·       Want to create a hacker faction with just you and a couple friends? Easily done.

·       Going solo, and want to represent the face of some giant corporation? Go for it.

Interactivity is always a goal to keep in mind, but even if you’re just starting off with a few friends in similar styled costumes, it’s a fun and easy basis for a year-one faction.  Factions can be just you and a few friends, a large group of people you’ve met online, or just an individual. It’s up to you. 

If your Faction is prepared to bring a fully-themed setup and wants to be in the thick of it and placed in our Theme Zone, you'll need to check out our Theme Zone page and fill out a Theme Zone application.

We have a large area in open camping where Theme Zone rules don't apply. Not all Factions need to be in the Theme Zone.  If you need some guidance or want to know if what you have planned would be appropriate for the event, feel free to message our Faction Team.

Faction applications are now closed.

Faction Theme Ideas:

Here are just SOME of the many faction ideas that have been part of previous Neotropolis events:

Faux tea and/or noodle shops: Event rules (and county health rules) mean that you can’t actually give out food or drink to general attendees (just your friends and campmates) but people have still created great atmospheric spaces with the LOOK of a tea or noodle shop, even if you can’t actually eat and drink there.

Electronics Repair: Every cyberpunk city needs multiple places where people can keep their various tech devices in good working order, often with scavenged parts and less-than-legal means. And maybe some ACTUAL repairs get done once in a while too.

Neo-Religious Organization/Cult: REAL religion isn’t something we want to have at the event, but faux cults and made up religious movements can be interesting.

Barter-based swap shop: Maybe you can’t sell things for real currency or real electronic payments (unless you’re an approved vendor), but you sure as hell can barter! Bartering bazaars spring up organically on the main drag during the daytime, and there are multiple shops and modules that exchange a wide variety of products on the barter system. (Just know that you CANNOT barter food or drinks, which includes bottles of water or packaged snacks.)

Arms Dealers: Trade, barter, or both. (But if selling for real-world money, an official vendor application is required.) 

Gallery or Cabinet of Curiosities: Small museums are a great way to have people explore the interesting things you’ve brought from off-planet, or cool futuristic black-light paintings. Put up informational placards in your space or give guided tours.

Enhancement Center: Think back alley cyber augmentations. No actual surgery please. And no use of the word “medical,” “hospital,” or symbols like red crosses, those are strictly off limits for anyone other than our actual on duty Medical team.

Game Room: A variety of video game and other types of game parlors have sprung up in the city.

Sensory Experience: VR setups and other sensory modules have been created to help people relax or escape the harsh reality of the Neotropolis dystopia. 

Corporate Recruitment Office: Helix Corp may be the biggest, richest company in the galaxy, but they’re not the only game in town. Many other corporations are looking for recruits. Just don’t fall for any pyramid schemes…

Hacker Coalition: Gritty, back-alley gatherings, missions against the mega-corps, modern robin-hood freedom fighters with a keyboard. Fight the system!

Entertainment Module: Variety acts, performances, live shows, etc. Keep in mind that amplified sound will be restricted, especially within the smaller city blocks. Pitch an idea! The more polished the better - just keep it IN THEME.

FOR MORE FACTION INSPIRATION,
CHECK OUT OUR THEME ZONE PAGE!

Frequently Asked Faction Questions

Can I have a band, DJ, or karaoke performance area in my Faction or module Theme Zone space?
Some Theme Zone Factions are allowed to have DJs or other performances in their space, BUT, they must be approved. When you submit your Faction application, you need to explain what it is you’d like to do sound-wise, and the Faction Team will let you know if that’s okay or not.
For the most part, attendees are not allowed to bring their own sound systems, in either the Theme Zone or in General Camping.
You can read our full SOUND and VOLUME POLICY here.

Do I need to join a Faction, or can I just attend the event solo?
Come solo, with a few friends, or whatever suits you. Joining a faction can make the experience much more enriching, and be a great benefit to groups with with cohesive ideas and vision. Faction membership is not a requirement. If you’re interested in joining up with an existing faction, check out our Facebook group Neotropolis Faction Outpost Alpha (official) which is our recruitment depot for Neotropolis Factions, and/or our general Facebook group for the event: Neotropolis Central. Given that the event is brand new, there are bound to be factions forming that want members.

How do we form a Faction?
You may already be planning to attend the event with a group of friends. Start there. Think about what influences your vision of a cyberpunk futuristic world, and how you might survive in it. Movies, comics, video games, all shape how we view futuristic worlds. A brainstorming session with your future faction mates is the perfect beginning. Be sure to review the rules and suggestions on the THEME so that you are adding to, rather than taking away from the Neotropolis experience. It’s a big sandbox, and there’s a lot of room for creativity. 

Do we need to register our Faction?
No, you are free to form a Faction and attend Neotropolis without official recognition. No application, no paperwork; just form your own, or join an existing faction.
Get your tickets, put together a costume, find a place to camp in General Camping, and do your thing. 

What is the deadline to apply as a Faction?
January 13th, 2026.

How do we get our Faction placed in the Theme Zone, Outposts, or Megablock One?
Check out our Theme Zone page for information, then fill out a Theme Zone Application (available on that page), and tell us a little about what you have planned. Want to camp next to other factions with a common theme? That’s a possibility as well. Inhabit a street, or even part of a block with other smaller factions, creating your own neighborhood within the city. Pitch your concept, we’re flexible, and open to explore new ideas.

Can Factions have extra time to set up at Neotropolis?
Yes and No. Factions DO NOT automatically receive pre-event work access to the event. Like individuals and general attendees, factions may arrive at the official opening time and date. Factions that have applied for, and been approved for placement will be receive instructions on pre-event work access and rules.

Is there a fee for Factions?
Nope. No extra fees or charges.