SpinPong
Game Controller Design
This is one piece of a four-controller set developed as a collaborative project to honor the cultural diversity of its creators, centered around the universal themes of music and dance. Tailored for the classic game “Pong,” the design merges the nostalgic charm of 8-bit pixel art with elements of musical instruments and rhythmic movements. Music and dance, some of humanity's earliest "multiplayer games," bring people together across languages and cultures, making them a perfect fit for this project. Each member of the group contributed by designing their own controller that aligns with the theme.
Group members and choice of inspiration for their controller
JC Zhang - Pipa
Jakob Visic - Violin
Joshua Pothen - Dance Dance Revolution
Peter Oke - DJ Turntable
Tools used: Plywood, Cardboard, Laser cutter, Arduino, Breadboard, Wires, Plastic turntable, LED lights, Piezo buzzer, Adobe Illustrator.
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Project time frame: 3 weeks
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Problem Statement
​The project tasked us with creating a functional and unique controller for a modern take on the classic arcade game Pong in a two-week timeframe. The team aimed to celebrate the universal themes of music and dance by designing controllers that blend the nostalgic aesthetics of 8-bit pixel art with musical instruments.
Design Challenge
Design a functional and visually appealing controller that:​
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Draws inspiration from musical instruments and rhythmic movements.
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Offers a tactile, engaging user experience for Pong players.
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Integrates modern technology (e.g., sensors) while reflecting nostalgic aesthetics (8-bit pixel art).
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Represents the cultural diversity of its creators.
Ideation
The controller was designed to use sensors and wireless communication to create unexpected physical interactions. As we were limited to onboard accelerometers, ultrasonic distance, light, and capacitive touch sensors, we began exploring how interactions with these sensors would move the pong paddle up, down, or not move it at all.
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I then started brainstorming how these sensors would function within music-inspired controllers, including everything from DJ turntables to traditional string instruments.
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Next, I explored different ways players could interact with the controller, like sliding, drumming, and rotating, to replicate the physical actions related to music. It was important to ensure the design felt natural—not just as a nod to the musical instrument but also for smooth, intuitive gameplay.
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In the end, I decided to go with a DJ turntable-inspired design. It felt modern and intuitive for creating a fun, hands-on experience that connects music, movement, and gaming.
Persona
The challenge encouraged us to design for gamers who are also music enthusiasts, emphasizing objects, interfaces, and experiences that we found personally engaging, novel, and fun.
Name: Alex Garcia
Age: 28
Occupation: Music Enthusiast and Casual Gamer
Goals:
1. Experience gaming in a way that is intuitive and rhythmic.
2. Engage in a unique, social gaming setup that sparks conversation and joy.
Pain Points: Alex prefers controllers that offer intuitive interaction rather than complex button layouts. Finds conventional gaming controllers lack personalization or cultural significance.
Iterative Process
Prototyping
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- Early mockups were made with plywood bases and a plastic turntable to test the rotation mechanism.
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- 2 light sensors were connected to an Arduino chip on a breadboard, which had a code installed to read the light sensitivity on both sensors.
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- ​Various light sensor placements were tested for accuracy and reliability. A hole was cut at a portion of the cardboard for light to pass through when users align the hole to the light sensors beneath.
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Testing
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Feedback was gathered from other members of the team to ensure intuitive usability.
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Adjustments were made on the Arduino code to light thresholds for optimal paddle movement and responsiveness.
Refinement
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Upgraded the design with matte black and gloss finishes for visual distinction.
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Enhanced the feedback system with synchronized LED lights and a piezo buzzer.
Final Design
Ensured the final design matched both functional and aesthetic goals through user testing sessions.
Full controller set for our group which features my DJ turntable controller, 2 string- inspired controllers, and a "dance, dance, revolution" inspired controller.
How To Play
Code Narrative
This project uses light sensors as the primary input mechanism for controlling the game. These sensors are placed under the disc of the controller so that when rotated, they receive varying amounts of light depending on the alignment of the square cutout. The light sensors collect real-time data based on the intensity of light they receive. When the disc is rotated, light from an external source hits the sensor and the sensor records its intensity. The sensor's function is "activated" if the light surpasses a certain threshold. Sensor 1 is programmed to move the Pong paddle "UP" (Movement 1) when the light threshold is 600 and above and Sensor 2 is programmed to move the Pong paddle "DOWN" (Movement 2) using the same threshold. Each time this threshold is reached or surpassed on either light sensor, the LED string lights come on and the piezo buzzer vibrates. There is no control of the Pong paddle (Movement 0) when neither sensor receives light at that threshold.
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Link to code: https://github.com/PeterOke10/PongController/blob/5c034146fa99b532fa57e59c1a7cf61d0964c92c/Experiment4SpinPong
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This project was a great learning experience, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Here are a few limitations I encountered:
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Environmental Dependence
The controller relies on external light sources for the light sensors to function properly, which works great in well-lit environments. However, when I played against an opponent in a tournament, the sensors struggled to detect the necessary light intensity, making my paddle movement inconsistent at times. It taught me how critical environmental considerations are in designing sensor-based systems.
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Learning Curve
The disc-based control system felt intuitive to me as the designer, but I quickly realized that other users needed time to adjust. Watching them figure it out during testing helped me see where I could improve the design to make it more accessible right away.
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Material Durability
The plywood base was sturdy and portable, but the lightweight cardboard disc showed wear after repeated use. While it kept the rotation mechanism smooth and light, I’d explore more durable materials in future versions to maintain functionality without compromising the tactile experience.
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These limitations were valuable lessons that pushed me to think critically about how design choices impact usability, durability, and overall user experience.
Limitations
Lessons learned
This project was a mix of creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving, and it taught me a lot along the way:
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User Feedback is Crucial
Early on, I realized the importance of testing with real users (even if they were just my peers). What felt intuitive to me wasn’t always clear to others. Iterative testing helped me identify and address usability challenges I had overlooked in the initial prototype. For example, the sensitivity of the light sensors needed fine-tuning based on feedback to make the paddle movement more responsive. Also, the hole on the disc that lets light pass through to the light sensors was increased to guarantee responsiveness.
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Balancing Form and Function
One of the biggest challenges was finding the right balance between making the controller look aesthetically pleasing and ensuring it worked reliably. The glossy disc and matte base were great for aesthetics, but if I had to do it again I would use plastic instead of a cardboard cut-out for the disc.
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Integrating Technology
Choosing the right technology was tricky. Initially, I considered using a potentiometer for the paddle movement, but it didn’t capture the feel I was aiming for. Light sensors ended up being a better fit, offering smooth and precise control. That said, they were sensitive to lighting conditions, which posed a challenge in low-light environments. For future iterations, I’d explore alternative input mechanisms to make the controller more adaptable.
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Through these challenges, I gained a deeper appreciation for the iterative design process and learned how critical it is to test, refine, and adapt to feedback. Every adjustment brought the design closer to something I felt truly proud of.
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