Customisable Pin & Playball Game
This is taking the general principles from a simple Pinball machine/game, but integrating them into a Fabric base with Pin components as features (point-generating). It would be possible to pull them out, replace them, change them, move them around, all on a fabric based board. The chips could use existing methods to detect and then repel balls (magnetism and reverse polarisation.
The fabric would serve as both the power source to pinball machine components (coloured with points), as well as a link to record data containing points information. Shapes can be added which do not need power or need to register points, but are there simply to guide and move the ball (represented in the diagram in orange).
PACT Analysis
People : Primarily aimed at kids/teenagers, but with adult supervision given electricity and mechanical parts. If taken on as more of a build project, then more interesting for adult use. No specific pre-requisites other than anyone able to handle components safely. No language/size/gender restrictions.
Activities: Main activities will be assembling the board, choosing where to place components, and customising layouts for a desired game play. Would involve balancing between components and buffers, without overloading. Main aim is to score points, whilst still making it interesting/challenging.
Contexts: Pinball typically a single player game. Actual game play would be aimed at single user. However, building and customising could be collaboratively done. Would be most suitable in a social environment, or if building, then educational surrounding with appropriate tools and supervision.
Technology: The Pins and fabric would need to be connected to a localised information processing component to record and then display the points, as well as save high scores. A GUI output, even if basic, would be desirable to display this. Sounds would need to be generated, via ID depending on action. The time delay on the Pin circuit board is not problematic when registering points as long as the points are registered. Typically, there is a delay in pinball machines whilst it “repels”. Examples of buildable virtual and physical pinball: