Overview
We developed a reaction-based arcade game built around an addressable LED strip, where colored "enemies" fall from top to bottom and the player must "shoot" them from below by pressing the red, green, or blue button matching the color on the strip. The game consists of two stages, each with 5 difficulty levels; a special transition track plays between stages, and in the second stage both the enemy speed and the background music noticeably pick up. At the higher difficulty levels, the game becomes fast enough to challenge even experienced players.
Purpose and Goals
Our customer's goal was to create an arcade machine that tests players' reflexes and reaction speed in a fun, challenging way — immersive enough to feel almost hypnotic at the highest difficulty levels. Aside from the exterior enclosure, we handled every technical aspect end to end: electrical, electronics, software, hardware wiring, and parts sourcing.
Development Process
After the needs analysis, we designed the circuit built around the addressable LED strip, three buttons, an amplifier module, two speakers, and a powerbank, and got it working on a breadboard. We developed the game logic in software — color matching, increasing enemy speed, a two-stage difficulty progression, and the stage-transition music. We then mounted the hardware inside the enclosure supplied by the customer, ran extensive testing, and applied revisions based on issues found during gameplay.
Next Steps
We're currently working on moving the system from a module-based circuit to our own custom-designed PCB, and preparing for series production as part of that transition.
