Space Invaders without using arms

The project aims to enhance the challenge of the classic 1978 arcade game "Space Invaders" by incorporating an alternative controller.

• The player is required to control the game exclusively using their legs and feet, no arms allowed!

Arcade games like "Space Invaders" traditionally use a joystick for movement and buttons to fire bullets. We wanted to spice things up by introducing a twist - not on the game itself, but on how it's played. This led us to create the Alternative Control experience, making the gameplay more engaging and fun by using unconventional methods of control.

• Command Details
  • Touch Pads:
    • Consists of two touch pads, connected together;
    • Crafted using copper conductive tape on cardboard plates.

• MPR121 Capacitive Touch Sensor:
  • Connects to both touch pads;
  • Registers two distinct inputs, one for each foot;
  • Allows for the detection of foot contacts using copper conductive tape on cardboard plates.
    

• Arduino Board:
  • Receives inputs from the MPR121 Touch Sensor;
  • Translates them into information sent to the computer.

• Operation and Connectivity
  • Input Reception:
    • Inputs from the touch pads are received by the MPR121 Touch Sensor;
    • The MPR121 is also linked to an Arduino board and the computer hosting the game.

• Data Processing:
  • The Arduino sends the touch inputs to the computer;
  • Inputs are converted into game commands via a Python script running in the background during gameplay.

• Software and Downloads:
  • Both the Arduino's code and the Python script used in this project are available for download on this page.

• Controls
  • Movement:
    • Left touch pad: Moves the laser cannon to the left.
    • Right touch pad: Moves the laser cannon to the right.

• Shooting:
  • Pressing both pads simultaneously stops the cannon's movement and initiates continuous shooting, unlike in the classic game, where there would only be one shot per press.

• Starting the Game:
  • Pressing both touch pads is also used as the input to start the game. 

Since the player now needs to use their physical body to control the laser cannon, as well as being unable to move while shooting, this Alt Ctrl experience aims to make the player rely more on their physical reaction time to avoid enemy lasers, which can prove to be not only a fun and new challenging way to play the game, but also a great way to improve one's reaction time and physical response to danger and opportunities (such as avoiding lasers or shooting at an enemy with the right timing).

Do you think you'll be able to stop the alien invasion with an alternative controller? Come and find out!