Cross! Black&White

Project Overview

Cross! Black & White is a physical-digital hybrid board game built with Arduino, Processing, and physical computing. It combines strategy and chance, inviting two players to compete on a custom-built 9×9 grid while triggering unexpected audiovisual effects based on their moves. The project was independently conceived, designed, and built from the ground up, including hardware fabrication, circuitry, coding, and game rules.

Concept & Design Goals

Initially, I explored three concepts:

A 3×3 interactive board game

A flower-shaped art installation

A dancing robot

After discussion with my instructor, I refined the first idea into a larger-scale, more dynamic game. My goal was to create a tangible interactive experience where physical actions on a game board would directly influence a projected visual interface, blending traditional gameplay with real-time media feedback.

How It Works

Two Players start from opposite sides of the board.

On each turn, a player may move forward or place a barrier.

Certain marked grids are interactive zones: when a piece lands on them, a conductive metal switch closes the circuit, triggering custom visual and audio feedback via Processing.

These triggered “instructions” can be beneficial or detrimental, adding an element of unpredictability to the match.

Process & Iteration

Prototype Development

Original design planned for sensors and stepper motors, but hardware limitations led to switching to conductive metal “buttons” for interaction.

Increased the board size from 3×3 to 9×9 to improve gameplay depth.

Fabrication

Board top: 5mm wooden panel laser-cut into 9×9 grid.

Interactive zones: conductive metal contacts, drilled holes for wire connection.

Base and sides: cardboard for easy modification.

Pieces & barriers: 3D-printed (black and white pieces, barriers covering two squares).

Electronics & Coding

Arduino handles circuit input from conductive grids.

Processing projects visuals linked to each grid’s ID.

Created 12 interactive zones (expanded from initial 5) with unique sound/image combinations.

User Testing

Early test feedback suggested adding more interactive zones, varying instructions, and reducing barrier count.

Iterated based on feedback and prepared final version for public presentation.

Final Presentation

Presented at IMA SHOW, where students and visitors played and provided positive feedback.

The game was praised for its balance of strategy and chance, and for successfully merging physical gameplay with digital projection.

Players enjoyed discovering the different audiovisual effects hidden within the board, which encouraged playful exploration.

Key Learnings

Hardware-Software Integration: Strengthened skills in bridging physical inputs with digital outputs in real time.

Problem-Solving: Adapted to hardware feasibility issues by redesigning core interaction mechanisms.

Hands-On Fabrication: Improved proficiency with laser cutting, 3D printing, and circuit assembly.

User-Centered Iteration: Incorporated real user feedback into multiple design cycles, balancing fun and challenge.

Resilience & Independence: Learned to navigate both technical and creative challenges when working solo.

Tools & Technologies

Arduino, Processing (Java)

Laser Cutting, 3D Printing

Circuit Design, Soldering

Figma (game flow diagrams)