The idea for Neon Dream came from three places: a love of bartending and the nightlife, a love of the cyberpunk aesthetic, and a love for romance. Together, they blend to create a virtual space that feels like a late-night bar in a neon-lit cityscape—a place where people can connect, share stories, and maybe even find a spark of romance.

At the end of my service in the military, I took a trip to Hong Kong. One night, I found myself in a dimly lit bar, greeted by a well-kept bartender wearing a suit vest. It was almost straight out of a movie. That night, I had more than a few cocktails. I had an experience. One that gave me one of my greatest passions. After the military, I spent a considerable amount of time learning mixology, with the hopes of one day opening up my very own bar. Though life took me in different directions, that night left a lasting impression. It’s a feeling I want to bring to life through Neon Dream, a space where people can experience the same unforgettable feeling I had that night.

Neon Dream initially takes inspiration from a game by Sukeban Games, called VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action. The characters, soundtrack, and overall aesthetic made a huge impression on me. This game does an amazing job of making you and the characters you meet feel “at home” and inspired my ideal image of what cyberpunk (bars) should look and feel like. After this game, I became obsessed with Cyberpunk themes, worlds, and music, all of which guide my vision for Neon Dream. I want it to feel like the perfect cyberpunk bar—a place where people can find connection and comfort, just like I felt playing VA-11 Hall-A.

If you’re anything like me then you still believe in love, and dating apps are the best way to people all kinds of people. Though, I’m sure we can all agree that they’re far from perfect. There’s nothing like going out and meeting people in person… Unless you don’t want to go out, spend money on an uber, not drink because you have to drive, spend money on drinks, have a hard time talking to people you don’t know, or can’t find the people you want to find, etc. etc. So, we use dating apps. Well, one day i decided to combine all of these elements, and the idea for Neon Dream was born! A virtual bar, that was warm and inviting, where you could meet the people, you want to meet.

I began messing around with the idea of a cyberpunk bar using AI. I got many different ideas, but the image above was by far the best one. AI struggled with the finer details, so pixel style images were the best way to capture the idea of what I wanted to create. A neon bar where two people could meet in a chill and relaxed setting.

Of course, I’d need more than just an AI image to make this happen, so I commissioned an art piece by the talented artist named Ryonari, who happens to specialize in pixel art. Ryonari made this image, and it has been instrumental in conceptualizing my vision. Pixel art doesn’t just capture the look—it brings the nostalgic charm that transports you to a different kind of bar, one that feels timeless yet futuristic. With this piece, Ryonari has helped capture that ‘at home’ feel I first felt in VA-11 Hall-A. https://ryonari.carrd.co/

Now that I had conceptual work, it was time to design the website! I wanted something different, so I looked all over for a web designer that could capture exactly what I needed. Though everywhere I looked, I wasn’t able to find anything different than tinder clone designs. I decided to host a contest on 99Designs, hoping a talented and creative designer would enter my contest and submit something different. Many talented designers entered, and the image above was our winner! This captures the aesthetic and lays the foundation for what neondream.co will soon become!

Now, to bring Neon Dream to life, we’re gearing up for a Kickstarter launch. The only challenge? Not many people know about the project yet, so we’re putting all our focus on building an audience and gathering support. This isn’t just another app—it’s a community-driven project, created for people by people. By joining us now, supporters can help shape Neon Dream’s future and bring this unique vision to life.

We’re just getting started, and we’d love for you to be part of it. Follow along, share with friends, and let’s make Neon Dream a reality together.