Run The Game — Sid Correia

Run The Game

Thu Jul 19 2022

When exploring the theme of play, I immediately thought of creating a game. One of my biggest inspirations was Run, an online game I played frequently as a child. The simplicity and nostalgia of this endless-runner concept—where an alien navigates a rotating corridor while avoiding gaps—made it the perfect foundation for my project. My goal was to recreate an analogue version of Run, blending physical interaction with retro gaming aesthetics.

Research & Concept Development

To refine my approach, I explored similar interactive projects on the Arduino Project Hub. Initially, I wanted to implement a rotating corridor mechanic, similar to the original game, but I later realized this would be too complex. Instead, I focused on designing a simplified yet engaging version of the gameplay. I began sketching different design possibilities—although the final outcome evolved significantly due to practical adjustments made throughout the process.

Prototyping & Technical Challenges

The first step was learning how to create animations on an LED matrix. I experimented with both binary and hexadecimal coding to assign pixels, but manually coding each frame proved time-consuming. To streamline the process, I used an online LED matrix generator, which allowed me to efficiently create animations.

Next, I worked on integrating a joystick with a motor to control movement. This phase presented several challenges:

The initial stepper motor I used didn’t function properly.
I switched to servo motors but found that their built-in potentiometers prevented 360-degree rotation—essential for my design.
Finally, I sourced a continuous servo motor capable of full rotation, but I had to adjust the code to prevent unintended movement when the joystick returned to the neutral position.

Through careful mapping and recalibration, I successfully synchronized the joystick and motor to create smooth, responsive gameplay. Below is a general schematic of my project, along with the components I used.

Assembling the Final Piece

Once all the components were working, I assembled the prototype. Initially, I planned to use cardboard, but after feedback from peers—who noted the game’s strong retro aesthetic—I decided to construct the model using LEGO. This choice reinforced the nostalgic, arcade-inspired feel of the project.

The final product is a one-player game where the user controls a joystick to navigate an LED matrix, avoiding red squares. If the player collides with an obstacle, a buzzer sounds as a penalty.

Here are some final images of the project. Although I ran out of LEGO pieces before completing the full build, the result effectively conveys the original concept.

©MMXXI

Sid Correia Design

London 2025

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