SPACE CADET PINBALL GAME
INTRODUCTION
The functionality of the pinball machine includes a monitor that houses the digital component of the experience using the old Windows Space Cadet pinball game. The physical aspect of the game is the human interaction with the buttons that operate the pinball machines actions.
|
For example, there are 3 buttons that make up the physical interaction. There are 2 buttons that are responsible for the flippers and a button that acts as a plunger to launch the ball into play. These buttons (switches) are linked to a microcontroller using Arduino.
|
GROUP MEMBERS: BRYCE YOUNG, REESE OAKLEY, KYLE HOULIHAN
This product we made is a virtual pinball machine. The pinball machine is digital, which means that game is mostly displayed visually through a monitor. The controls of the pinball game are mostly physical – the left/right buttons and the pulling mechanism.
|
PROBLEMS WE FACED
We put the monitor and microcontroller into a box we fabricated ourselves to complete the pinball game experience. Some of the issues we faced included hot keying the switches to buttons to the Space Cadet game. The biggest issue that arose with the hot keys was the button functions getting stuck in an infinite loop after the switches got pushed once. A problem we faced on the digital aspect was out monitor was old and poorly lit. Therefore, the game must be played in a dark environment in order to see the game screen. Despite these challenges, we were still able to accomplish a successful digital physical experience.