Digital Fabrication for Arcade Cabinet Design 2016

Digital Fabrication for Arcade Cabinet Design

Instructor: Mark Kleback
mark@kleebtronics.com
School: NYU/ITP
Hours: Thursday 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Office Hours: Monday 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Github Repo

Students

Course Description

In the past five years, we've seen a strong influx in the indie game community here in NYC. Babycastles gallery, the NYU Game Center, and the Death By Audio Arcade are all showcasing games in public spaces. Many of these galleries are starting to display custom arcade cabinets that are impressive manifestations of these games.

In this class, students will use Unity to create a simple multiplayer game that can run on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. They will learn to use scripts that will launch this game on startup, and interface with hardware like buttons and joysticks using microcontrollers.

In the second half of the class, they will learn how to construct an arcade cabinet with digital fabrication tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC cutters. The class will culminate in a finished arcade cabinet that displays the game and can run uninterrupted for months in a public venue.

Syllabus 2015

Objectives

Build a simple multiplayer game using Unity
Prototype a hardware controller for Unity game or other software application
Using Vectorworks, design an enclosure for the game. Incorporate a finished design for the controller
Fabricate the enclosure using a CNC router and/or laser cutter. Finish the exterior of the cabinet using paint or stain.
Learn about different tools for installation design, including startup scripts, embedded Linux systems, screens, and power management
Install the finished product in a group show at the end of the semester

Grading

Class Participation 20%
Blog and Documentation 20%
Midterm 30%
Final 30%

Resources

Download a free (watermarked) version of Unity 3D
Download a free student version of Vectorworks
How to Build an Indie Arcade Cabinet
An Arcade Cabinet Made From Felted Wool

Syllabus

Week 1 (January 28)
Week 2 (February 4)
Week 3 (February 11)
Week 4 (February 18)
Week 5 (February 25)
Week 6 (March 3)
Week 7 (March 10)
Week 8 (March 24)
Week 9 (March 31)
Week 10 (April 7)
Week 11 (April 14)
Week 12 (April 21)
Week 13 (April 28)
Week 14 (May 5)

Week 1: Introduction to Unity

Introductions
Class Overview and Goals
Introduction to Unity

Resources

Unity Tutorials

Homework

Complete one 3D Unity tutorial from their website or YouTube
Using standard assets, recreate a static scene from a film in 3D. Use a FPS Controller to move around, and incorporate 3D game objects, textures, and rigidbodies.
Export your scene to WebGL and email me a link to your blog for this class

Week 2: Scripting in Unity

Present scenes from last week
Exporting a Project: WebGL vs Unity Web Player
Introduction to Unity2D
MonoDevelop - Programming in Unity
Creating Prefabs
Detecting Collisions

Resources

Homework

Build a simple platform game in Unity2D
Use the "OnCollisionEnter2D" function to detect collisions
Use the "Instantiate" function to create a prefab. Use the "Destroy" function to destroy a prefab

Week 3: Sprites & Hardware Controllers

Present scenes from last week
GUI Skin - tracking score
Canvas
Sprite editing- creating sprites
Introduction to hardware
Arduino Leonardo
Raspberry Pi

Resources

Ultimarc - online store for arcade hardware
8 Bit and Up - NYC-based store for buttons and joysticks
Tinkersphere - 304 East 5th Street - P-Comp accessories
Sparkfun
Adafruit
NYU Computer Store - Your last resort for sensors
Arduino Mouse and Keyboard libraries

Homework

Research the Golden Age of Video Games and play three different games. Note the layout, game mechanics, and controls. Write a blog post comparing and contrasting the three games, and what you liked and didn't like about each one.
Incorporate an external sensor into your game from last week using Arduino

Week 4: Animations & Intro to Vectorworks

Present Controllers
Download Vectorworks2015
Review: Sprite Editors
Creating Sprite Animations from a Sprite Sheet
Introduction to the Animator Controller
Flipping a sprite along an axis using JS

Resources

Vectorworks Getting Started Guide
Vectorworks YouTube Channel
Piskell Sprite Editor
OpenGameArt.org - Free sprites and sprite sheets
Creating 2D Animated Sprites Tutorial - Top-Down game

Homework

Order the parts for your hardware prototype
Using UPA Toolkit, Piskell, or Photoshop, create a set of sprites for a 2D game. Create 3 different sprites. At least one should have an animation.
Write a blog post describing a simple game you'd like to create using these sprites. What are the functions? Include in your post what kinds of hardware interfaces you might use, and why you chose them.
BONUS:Import your sprites into Unity and create animations using the Animator Controller (you need to do this eventually anyway)

Week 5: Intro to Vectorworks

Talk about games/controllers
Intro to Vectorworks - Drawing 2D Shapes
Unity - Bullet Example
Unity - Particle Systems
Unity - Storing Player Prefs

Resources

Unity Bullet Example

Homework

Draw a design for your controller in Vectorworks using three views. Use exact measurements and notate all dimensions. Be sure to include all buttons or sensors that will be used for the game. Post the finished drawing to your blog with a description as to why you chose this size and shape.
Using Canvas elements, create a "menu" for your game

Week 6: Fire the Laser

Brief discussion about midterms
Unity - Scrolling Background
Unity - Parallaxing
Unity - Materials
Unity - Audio Components
Laser Cutter Tutorial

Resources

Homework

Finish your game and controller and be ready to present next week!

Week 7: Midterm Presentations

Present Midterms

Resources

Death By Audio Arcade at Flowers for All Occasions

Homework

Research Arcade Cabinets. Visit Barcade in Williamsburg and Astor Place. Look up some different styles of arcade cabinets from the 1980s - present. Find a cabinet that is interesting and write a blog about why you think so.

Spring Break - No Class

Week 8: Introduction to CNC and MasterCAM

Talk About Cabinet Designs
Groups for final project
Introduction to MasterCAM
Export dxf file from Vectorworks
Clockwise vs Counterclockwise
Pocketing vs Cutting
CNC Demonstration

Resources

Homework

As a group, brainstorm an idea for your final game and cabinet design. Post this idea to your blog with relevant references to existing games and cabinets.
Follow one of the MasterCAM tutorials listed above and cut something out using the CNC. Try to use both a contour cut and a pocket cut in the same job.

Week 9: Analog Fabrication

This class will be held in the MEETING ROOM
Pitch ideas for final projects
3D extrusions and modeling in Vectorworks
Analog Fabrication Techniques

Resources

Homework

Using Vectorworks, make a 3D Rendering of your final cabinet proposal. This doesn't have to be the final shape or size, but try to think about actual measurements when designing it. Also think about the size restrictions of the CNC Machine.
Build a BASIC (strictly mechanics, no sprites) version of your game. From this point forward, your group will present weekly progress reports on your cabinet and game.

Week 10: CNC Joinery

Present cabinet designs
Vectorworks: From 3D back to 2D
CNC Joinery
Intro to Micro Studio (Vive VR)
Unity workshop

Resources

Homework

Start cutting out your cabinet on the CNC machine. I want to see some progress next week in the form of wooden pieces
Based on what we talked about in the Unity workshop, make some progress on your game and post to your blog.
Start sourcing things like a screen, a computer, and your controls.

Week 11: Sound Effects and Music

Present cabinet progress
Hardware, Acrylic, Lighting
Music Composition
Sound Effects
Unity Integration

Resources

Homework

Start cutting out the pieces for your cabinet and assembling it. I want to see some physical progress next week.
Compose some music for your game and start working in sound effects

Week 12: Installation and Finishing

Apply for the NYU Game Center Incubator
Sound Effects and Music (continued)
Designing for Installations (Mac and PC)
Reset Buttons
Shell Scripts and Automator (OSX)
AutoHotKey (PC)
Finishes - paint and sealant
Wood Filler
Screen printing, stencils, wheat pasting
Collaborators

Resources

Homework

Cut out your cabinet! Assembly should be mostly finished this week.
Post progress to your blog.

Week 13: GAME JAM

Week 14: Presentation of Final Cabinet

Futher Resources

MONDAY MAY 9: Public Arcade Showcase Party

6pm - 10pm in the Common Room
6pm-7pm Guest Crits
7pm-10pm General Public
Food and Beverages will be provided

Students

Corbin Y Ordel
FY (Fengyuan) Zhu
Ian Gibson
Jesse Donaldson
Joakim G Quach
Juan Jose Egusquiza
Kathleen S Temrowski
Kevin G Stirnweis
Michelle Hessel Alves
Nicole He
Olivia Cueva
Paula Ceballos Delgado
Peiyu Luo
Satbir Samantha Multani
Wangshu Sun
Xiwei Huang
Yuan Gao