P Comp – Week 9 – Final Project Planning And Budget

This week, Patrick and I met to discuss the next steps in our final project for physical computing. We talked about creating a desktop arcade box that could be accessed either sitting or standing, depending on the players’ preferences or ability.

Pieces of a desktop arcade shell like what we plan to build.
Pieces of a desktop arcade shell like what we plan to build.
A desktop arcade shell like what we plan to build.
A desktop arcade shell like what we plan to build.

We had previously discussed different types of inputs for our game. In our latest meeting, we  decided to put the boot camp into Zombie Boot Camp. Our thoughts on the input revolve around getting the player to resemble a zombie through their actions. These actions include a set of buttons on either side of the desktop arcade set (which would have the player move their arms up and down by tapping them, though we did float around the idea of a NordicTrack-like system), pressure sensors on the ground (that would have the player move their legs), and, likely, an accelerometer attached to the player’s torso (via clip, that would have the player lean forward and backward as though stumbling.)

NordicTrack inspiring fitness freaks dead and alive for decades.
NordicTrack inspiring fitness freaks dead and alive for decades.


For now, the idea is that the arms and feet movements would be a qualifier for whether the zombie is moving, and the chest piece would allow for the whether the player moves forward or backward. As for jumping over obstacles, that can be coded into the pressure sensors on the feet.

Accelerometers and such.
Accelerometers and such.

In terms of budget, we figured our costs would come out to be about $100-$125 for the final project.

For the shell of the desktop game,  $50-$75.

For plexiglas for the exterior, $20-$30.

Pressure sensors, $20-$30.

Protective mat, $10.

We’ll be using the accelerometer, wires, breadboards, and such from our kits and The Floor for the project, as well, so those shouldn’t cost us anything.