Summary of LASER POINTER AND ARDUINO MAKE A MINIMALISTIC SHOOTING GAME
This article describes "Laser Shooter," a physical computer game inspired by classic arcade titles. Using an Arduino Nano, the system lights up five LEDs randomly; players must quickly hit the corresponding photoresistors (LDRs) with a laser pointer. The game increases difficulty by shortening time limits and ends if targets are missed incorrectly or too slowly. Full schematics and code are available for replication.
Parts used in the Laser Shooter:
- Arduino Nano
- Five LEDs
- Five photoresistors (LDRs)
- Laser pointer
Video games are great and all, but sometimes you just want the thrill of manipulating actual objects in addition to watching action on a screen. This must have been the reason why Nintendo’s Duck Hunt became so popular despite the simplicity of its gameplay. Prolific hacker [mircemk] similarly made a computer-plus-physical game called “Laser Shooter“, which somehow reminds us of the good old NES game.
The game is based on an Arduino Nano, to which five LEDs as well as five photoresistors (LDRs) are connected. When the game is started, the LEDs light up at random and the player has a limited time to “shoot” the corresponding LDR with a laser pointer. This time limit is decreased as the game progresses, and the game is over once the player fails to hit the target on time. The “Game Over” message is accompanied by a sad tune, but luckily no giggling dog.
Complete schematics and code are available for anyone willing to try their hand at replicating or improving this game. And no, you can’t simply sweep your laser across the five LDRs all the time, because you lose if you shoot at the wrong target. For more laser pointer-based games, try this Laser Command clone or this laser tag badge system.
Source: LASER POINTER AND ARDUINO MAKE A MINIMALISTIC SHOOTING GAME
- How does the game start?
The LEDs light up at random when the game is started. - What hardware controls the game logic?
An Arduino Nano connects the LEDs and photoresistors. - Can you sweep the laser across all LDRs to win?
No, you lose if you shoot at the wrong target. - Does the game get harder over time?
Yes, the time limit decreases as the game progresses. - What happens when the player fails to hit a target on time?
The game ends and displays a Game Over message. - Is there audio feedback during gameplay?
A sad tune plays when the game ends. - Where can I find the code to build this project?
Complete schematics and code are available online. - What is the main goal of the player?
The player must shoot the corresponding LDR with a laser pointer within the time limit.
