Fish Prototype

The controller we are attempting to make is that of a fish, with flex sensors to detect what sides of the fish are being interacted with and light detectors in the eyes to tell when they're being covered. As a fishing game, it seems thematically appropriate, yet silly and creative, to use the very thing you catch to control the game. As feedback for the controller, two questions come to mind: 1) Is the controller intuitive enough to use for a lack of buttons and for its size? 

2) Do the given controls seem like the best way to follow the guidelines of the project? 

Scaffolding: Prototype Review, Austin Frunk and Brayan soto

We are doing a doom style controller and as such there is a thematic relevance with choosing a skull motif. Doom is known to a "hardcore" game even for its time and to keep in touch with hits rock influences we thought the skull motif was reasonable. In its current form it uses the accelerometer to move using gyro controls and fires when moved upward. We would like to do more but as of right now this is where we are at currently with our prototype. We are seeking to implement more functionality. Specifically with a speaking mechanic to open the doors. 

Would using a speaking mechanic be enough and interactive enough?

Should we restrict it to just strictly an unconventional switch to fire?

Seeking to improve the code and adding deadzones is probably the next step and figuring out some more refined controls, however Sticking to more of a round object and painting the skull is something I think we should seek to keep in mind. 

Scaffolding: Prototype Review - Frogger Pressure Plates

 The customer controller is now in the prototype phase. It will be able to play the original Frogger utilizing four pressure plates, which will be lily pads, with the player able to move a prop frog to each plate to move the frog in the game. This setup mimics the frog’s movement in the original game while introducing a physical, hands-on component. The concept draws directly from Frogger’s visual and thematic identity, transforming passive button inputs into a playful, full-body experience that emphasizes timing and spatial awareness. The lily pad pressure plates will be inside a box to contain the controller and connected to the circuit playground, which will read and signal the player's inputs. We are experimenting with layout and responsiveness.

Questions:

1. Does the layout of the controller and operation feel fun and rewarding or not? If not how can it be improved upon?

2. Is there anything you think should be added to the controller? Another pressure plate or component, or is it good as is?

                                                    Photo of controller prototype

Photo of circuit prototype

video demonstration 

    

                                                                    Code

#include <Keyboard.h> #include <KeyboardLayout.h> #include <Adafruit_CircuitPlayground.h> #include <Adafruit_Circuit_Playground.h> #define THRESHOLD 600 void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); while (!Serial); // Wait for serial to be ready CircuitPlayground.begin(); Keyboard.begin(); Serial.println("Pressure sensor readings:"); } void loop() { int sensor1 = analogRead(1); // Pin 1 int sensor2 = analogRead(3); // Pin 3 int sensor3 = analogRead(4); // Pin 4 int sensor4 = analogRead(7); // Pin 7 // Print sensor readings to the Serial Monitor Serial.print("Sensor 1: "); Serial.print(sensor1); Serial.print(" | Sensor 2: "); Serial.print(sensor2); Serial.print(" | Sensor 3: "); Serial.print(sensor3); Serial.print(" | Sensor 4: "); Serial.println(sensor4); if (sensor1 > 600) { Keyboard.press(KEY_UP_ARROW); // Forward } else { Keyboard.release(KEY_UP_ARROW); } if (sensor2 > 600) { Keyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ARROW); // Left } else { Keyboard.release(KEY_LEFT_ARROW); } if (sensor3 > 600) { Keyboard.press(KEY_DOWN_ARROW); // Backward } else { Keyboard.release(KEY_DOWN_ARROW); } if (sensor4 > 600) { Keyboard.press(KEY_RIGHT_ARROW); // Right } else { Keyboard.release(KEY_RIGHT_ARROW); } delay(50); }

Team 16: Prototype Review

 By Final Team 16: Jordan Norton & Briah Bellamy

Our controller prototype for "A Short Hike" is a conceptual representation of binoculars that hikers would use for nature exploration, something highly recommended and encouraged within the game.

Pictures/Videos:

Mechanics:

• The left side has an infrared sensor strip, which players can squeeze once to jump and a second time to fly. There've been difficulties getting this to work, however.
• The right eye cup has a Bela Trill ring which can be rolled with the right thumb to steer the character in the game via tank controls.
• Folding the controller opens the inventory/pause menu, which can also be navigated using the Trill ring on the right eye cup.
• Between the eye cups has a microphone that activates items through players making noise.
  

Peer Review Questions:

1. Any suggestions for working with infrared sensors?
2. Would having a switch tripped when folding the binoculars be more conducive?

Team 12 Prototype Review

Our prototype, though visually simple, is dimensionally close to what the final product should look like. Though it isn’t painted black and red, it is comprised of a small cardboard box housing the necessary components to play the game SpeedRunners. It was a bit too much add to the prototype, but for the final model, we’d like to use the opening and closing suitcase idea since everyone seems to like it. Modeling our controller after an in-game obstacle, the red and black suitcase that you’ll find yourself stumbling over, allows you to interact with an item from the game in a way that benefits you, instead of sabotaging you like it usually does. It is small enough to sit comfortably in your lap or on your desk while in use, and uses a potentiometer for left and right movement, a toggle switch for the grappling hook, and an ultrasonic distance sensor for using your boost and items, all connected to the CPX.

Questions:

1.     For the functioning suitcase idea, would you as a user prefer a controller that is essentially double in size (another box that is the same size stacked on top) or for the size to remain the same but still have the open and close functionality?

2.     Do you think the “lid” of the suitcase could become a nuisance while playing the game, in the even that it should fall on the player’s hands?

Team 2: Prototype

Our first porotype is meant to control the rhythm game Project Diva. It was suppose to look like a leek "a type of veggie." Unfortunately, we were unable to replicate the look of the intended prototype. Going back into the conceptual, it was from a fandom that came up with ideas about the characters personalities and the food that they liked. One of the characters food was a leek.  

Operation: The main part of the controller is the color sensor (tcs3200) which inputs the function to the game. For instance, color red is used for A and and in the game it is translated for (X). 

Questions:
Do you need to be in a environment with consistent lighting for the color sensor to work properly?
Does the distance affect how the color sensor reads the color placed directly in front?

Scaffolding: Super Monkey Ball Prototype Review

 Our prototype controller for Haste is relatively simple! Our circuit playground is placed on the inside of the platform surf board that the player will move around while playing the game. The surf board will be placed on top of a spring, that is then attached to a flat block shape that will rest on a surface for the player to use. The player will tilt and move the board controller to get the player character in the game moving accordingly. The goal of this is to make the controller scheme more visually connected to what your inputs do in the game. The player will be able to run at high speeds, jump, and charge up energy for a boosted dash as they dodge obstacles and keep away from the dark, dangerous energy following behind them.

Here is a photo of our circuit prototype:

And here is the video of our controller in action:

https://youtu.be/E9xzQthJ9AU?si=6cUP-rAxzn3Y8L8u