Hack #1
For Hack #1, Brett and I set out to create a Makey Makey version of the classic arcade game Dance Dance Revolution. We used aluminum foil to make touchpads for the four directional arrows—up, down, left, and right—and connected them to the Makey Makey. To complete the circuit, we placed small pieces of aluminum foil on the soles of our shoes and conncted them to “earth,” so each step on the arrows would register as an input. This setup allowed us to control the game by physically stepping on the arrows, just like in the original arcade version, but with our own creative twist. The simplicity of our materials made it a fun and interactive way to bring an arcade game home.
When we think about play, competition is often the first thing that comes to mind. We wanted to include that competitive element in our project since games like Dance Dance Revolution are exciting because players challenge each other (and because we got inspired by Dr. Sample’s version of Tetris). However, making a multiplayer version with our setup was difficult, so we found an online game that still made it feel competitive. We used Friday Night Funkin’, a rhythm-based game that requires quick clicks (or in our case, foot taps) to win. This fits with Roger Caillois’ idea of agon, a type of play focused on skill and challenge. Even though we weren’t directly playing against each other, the game’s built-in player allowed us to compete by trying to be better than it.
Besides competition, our project also had an element of paideia, which is a more free-spirited and playful type of game. Unlike serious or structured games, our setup encouraged improvisation and fun. Friday Night Funkin’ made this even better with its silly characters, upbeat music, and quirky animations. What made the experience even more playful was how we interacted with our DIY dance pad. Our movements weren’t always perfect, and they didn’t need to be. Whether we were stepping carefully or just moving however we could to keep up, the real goal was to have fun.
