IFD:Eclectic Electric!/DocumentationWS2013/Lydia Kluge/MainProject

From Medien Wiki

Playing Pong

Abstract

I recreated the famous game "Pong" in Processing; to touch my hat to the old pong consoles I used an Arduino and two potentiometers to build one myself.

Pong-console-arduino-potentiometer.jpg

That's the finished setup.


Pong

The final Processing sketch is based on a program I wrote during the class "Tangible Programming - An Introduction" held by Johannes Deich. I went for a more colourful look than the original game.

Pong-processing.jpg

I used the serial and the Arduino (Firmata) library to import data from the Arduino, which runs the "StandartFirmata"-sketch, to Processing. In short, the first potentiometer is attached to the analogue pin 0 and its data moves the left paddle, while the second potentiometer is attached to the analogue pin 1 and moves the right paddle. Self-evidently, I mapped the value range of the potentiometers to match the height of the canvas.

If you are interested, feel free to download the Processing sketch and have a closer look.


Prototype

This full-functioning prototype already shows the unfussy electronic setup as it is in the final console.

Pong-console-arduino-potentiometer-prototype.jpg

Pong-console-arduino-potentiometer-prototype-close.jpg Pong-console-arduino-potentiometer-breadboard.jpg


Final Console

The finished console is made of plywood and has one rotary button attached to each potentiometer, enabling the user to control the paddles by rotating movement; just like with the original consoles. The wires and electronic components are all hidden on the inside.

Pong-console-arduino-potentiometer-player.jpg


Video

Feel free to watch a, rather unexciting, video of me doing a test run.

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