2012 ELECTRONIC BADGES

The 2012 Games++ electronic badges contain a super-secret game with no visual interface - instead a small vibrating motor provides auditory and physical feedback as the play navigates the game. The badges are also fully hackable: download the source files to make your own games!

Download all the badge files [ zip | 1.3MB ]

HARDWARE

The badges are built using the ATtiny85 chip with code written in the Arduino environment. While not programmable directly on the badge, remove the chip from its socket and program using another Arduino board. Details on this process and using the ATtiny can be found on this excellent tutorial.

SOFTWARE

The game on the badges is written in C using the Arduino environment. Several files are included in the source package, including the game itself, a testing version to run on a normal Arduino board (with serial communication which makes debugging much easier), and a bonus melody file.

The package also includes a Java application written in Processing for automatically parsing image files into usable levels and lets you test play the level on the computer (no Arduino needed)! This means you can make new levels for your badge quickly without having to write any other code; details for use are in the Processing file.

OTHER FILES

The package also includes a detailed Bill of Materials with part numbers and prices, schematic, and PCB artwork ready for etching your own boards.

CREDITS + DETAILS + CONTACT

Electronics | Programming | Design
Jeff Thompson

Level Design | Beta-Tester
Alex Myers

All files are released under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial, Attribution, Share-Alike license: feel free to use but please let us know.

Please contact Jeff Thompson [ mail@jeffreythompson.org ] with bugs, suggestions, or if you use this project for cool stuff.

The 2012 edition of Games++ is made possible thanks to generous support from Bellevue University's Game Studies program, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's New Genres program, and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art