laser game prototype

Laser Game Prototype #1 from Thomas Kearns on Vimeo.

Here is the first working prototype of the electronics of one module for the physical game in my trans-reality game for my thesis at DePaul. Shown is the photo-transistor based sensing of a standard laser pointer. Sensitivity is controlled by a potentiometer. Visual feedback is by way of a tri-color LED variably throbbed by 555 based timer circuits, modulated by digital potentiometers, green when laser is aligned, red when not. An IR detector is used for monitoring the "cranking" up of power, and controlling the rotation of a motor that will be used for alignment. As power is added, the throbbing slows down once the player stops cranking (to run off to the next laser station).  The “drip” of power is sped up when not succesfully aligned.  This project is running on an Arduino microcontroller utilizing Zigbee based wireless communication which allows ad-hoc mesh networks of these stations to form scalable site specific instances of the games. 

The next step will be to build a second one of these and to put them both in mockup housing/mechanical assemblies so that game play can be tested.  Hopefully in a week or so we will be able to give it a go and then I can move on to the digital game. 

Loft Wall System

Originally developed by sand_box as a proposal for a residential client in Manhattan.  This dynamic wall system augments a pre-engineered electronically controlled high density storage system, by replacing the proprietary control system with a custom interactive control system which enables rich tactile responsiveness and procedural control for particular programmatic relationships.  The modular framework for the wall structure allows for a range of residential, commercial, or institutional programs to be contained.  By tracking the position of the wall relative to it’s context additional electronically controlled systems such as illumination, environmental conditioning, and entertainment can be activated or disengaged.  Developmental progress fell just short of realization with full construction documents, physical scale model prototypes, and electronics specifications.  Please contact me via sand_box  for inquiries or requests.

Thesis: Influences + Gameplay

For the past few terms, the work I have been doing at DePaul has been focused on understanding, developing, and prototyping the core technologies I need to implement the ideas I am interested in exploring.  All the while I have been mulling over ideas about content and the actual game design. Admittedly this has been a challenge, finding the right game play mechanics in digital, physical, and hybrid spaces. 

With the new term in full swing, and this and the next being focused on actually beginning the game development, the need for cohesion of content has become more urgent.  Fortunately I feel as though I have had some breakthroughs and have begun moving forward with prototyping gameplay. 

The images above are from a presentation I have been working on to explain this new direction.  The first half are precedents, motivations, and inspiration for the gameplay, followed by a rough mockup of story board slides that will eventually become crafted images (sorry if they aren’t so clear right now).

walls optional* | defibrillator

Video documenting the related projects of Walls Optional *batteries not included and Defibrillator by sand_box.  We completed these projects in 2002 and 2006 respectively.  The walls are currently in protective stasis ... will we ever see them again?