[MrGilbert]

I wonder if going for keyboard switches with RGB could bring the price down, if you then either print the keycaps yourself, our use a 3d printing service. 23 Cherry MX switches cost 20€, that‘s roughly 260€ for a 17x17 matrix.

[waterproof]

Should be doable to implement GoL on an ortholinear RGB keyboard using QMK

[MrGilbert]

I mean - that sounds like an awesome project in itself!