Brief
Communications
- Learn how to communicate your ideas quickly and clearly
(The art of the Elevator Pitch).
- Learn the importance of publicly documenting your creations
(and more importantly – Their process)
- Learn to communicate visually.
Click Here to see an example - Italian Pinball
Most of the workshop’s public documents will be in the form of short video clips. Students will work in pairs, creating short videos showing each stage of their work. The videos will be published on the workshop’s website.
Electronics
- Learn the basics of physical rapid prototyping
- Learn to hack existing electronic devices and reuse them
- Learn to create physical interactions using basic electronics
Method
Students will investigate the Wii (Nintendo’s latest gaming console). Wii makes use of a motion-sensitive controller called the Wii Remote (Wiimote). It is designed to be more inviting and comfortable for non-gamers to use, unlike button-heavy controllers. The Wii Remote can be swung like a racket in a tennis game or like a sword in an adventure game.
Analysis
Students will communicate in a short 60-second video
their impression of the Wii (in pairs)
InstantSOUP
Students will learn the “Keyboard Hack” recipe
(from the classic InstantSOUP “cookbook”), repurposing a PC
keyboard controller to simulate the basics of the Wii
controller (using tilt sensors / accelerometers), thus creating
a homebrew Wii controller for the PC.
Game Design
Students will design a “mini-game” (A 30-second
game interaction), to work with the homebrew Wii controller.
Students will communicate their work in a short 60-second video
showing their mini-game in action.
Modeling
Students will start by prototyping with a regular USB
keyboard (hacked), but will later create a wireless mockup,
which will contain circuitry from a wireless keyboard, and
motion detection sensors, thus creating a homebrew wireless
Wii controller for the PC.
The controller mockup will be created from either wood or
plastic.
- Social factors: Students will need to design their mini-game
to be used in a social context – A party. In the end of the
course, we will hold a party showcasing the best designed
mini-games!
