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Bits and Pieces from the NR Trivia Collection
#3: Braindance Campaign

by Jens Kreutzer

A staple and well-liked bit-gainer node, at least in Sealed play, Braindance Campaign also features stunning artwork by Heather Hudson, which creatively captures the concept behind the card. But though it metaphorically portrays the effects of prolonged braindance exposure on the brain in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, it doesn't exactly tell you what braindance is supposed to refer to. To find out, you must turn to R. Talsorian's Cyberpunk 2.0.2.0. roleplaying game, which provided the background story for Netrunner.

In the sourcebook Rockerboy (p. 62), the concept is explained: "The braindance is similar in nature to the netrunner's interface, in that it allows, via neural transmission, a person to fully and realistically experience an alternate reality. Unlike the interface a netrunner uses, the perceptions are not created from the user's brain, but rather from the recorded thoughts, memories and physical sensations of another person. Originally developed as a method of aversion programming for convicted criminals, and later as a military simulator, the braindance is fast becoming the most popular form of entertainment in today's media-oriented society. Several companies, including DMS [...], have many employees whose sole purpose is to go out and get involved in situations that normal people only dream of."

Incidentally, if you want an excellent demonstration of the braindance, look no further than to the SF/cyberpunk movie Strange Days (directed by Kathryn Bigelow). Braindance - and its possible dangers - is really what this film is all about (even though they don't call it that). Don't miss out on it.

What hasn't been addressed so far, however, is the card's flavor text. The evil idea to infiltrate braindance with subliminal messages also comes from Rockerboy (p. 65): "Another common fear associated with the braindance was that of subliminal suggestion. When [it] became available to the public, there was a rumor spread that people's personalities were being altered, or even overridden by the braindance. It was soon discovered that there were several black market chips that were doing just that. The person would jack into the program and find themselves as a netrunner, just as his personality gets overwritten by a Liche program. The Liche programming was strong enough to actually overwrite the person, even though they were receiving the programming from a source other than the Net." The flavor text seems to imply that corporate methods of subliminal influence are much more subtle nowadays. Therefore, Runners, watch out when you hit a Braindance Campaign the next time. A Liche may not be too far away.