Textile Game Controllers Game Jam

How can electronic textile techniques be used to create bespoke, alternative game controllers?

This game jam will provide participants with the opportunity and support to apply the skills introduced through the Textile Game Controller Workshop Series (2018-2020) to fully developed e-textile game controller prototypes.

Registration closes May 27

For this jam we will use the Adafruit Circuit Playground as the brains of our game controllers. Everyone who attends will receive one of these boards to keep. Our e-textile sensing methods will include digital switches, analog sensors, and capacitive sensing pads made with a variety of materials including conductive fabric, thread, and fibre. Possible techniques for sensor making include sewing, embroidery, ironing, gluing, and felting. All of the needed materials and tools will be provided.

As a participant you have the option to bring your own team if you have people you know you want to work with, to be matched with a team if you’d like to meet some new collaborators, or to do a solo project.

For the game controller prototypes, self-directed approaches are welcome but if you need guidance we will have plenty of project examples and tutorials to get you started.

The game controller that you create can be used to control a screen-based game, either a game that you’ve already made or a game that already exists. You might even be able to work up a little game sketch during the jam that you can use to test your controller. Alternatively, you can choose to make a hardware-only game that uses the lights and speaker on the Circuit Playground board to provide feedback.