Hi, Hooman!
Similar Games
The purpose of my project, the Ludus, is to create a fun, interactive game that can play the classic game of Tic-Tac-Toe against a human player. It solves the problem of transforming a simple game into a smart, automated experience using sensors and motors to make decisions and move game pieces.
I’m passionate about this project because it brings together two things I really enjoy: robotics and games. It’s a brilliant way to apply my knowledge of programming, electronics, and robotics in a practical and enjoyable way. Plus, it’s exciting to see how technology can elevate traditional games.
I was inspired by similar robot projects that use basic AI to create engaging, interactive experiences, such as the attached video, robotic arms or game-playing bots. I wanted to take it further by using Arduino, which is perfect for building affordable, customisable robots.
For reference, you can find a similar project on Instructables, where a robot is built to play Tic-Tac-Toe on a small board, using a combination of basic electronics and Arduino code.
Meet TICO
The LudusGlow kit is designed to automatically play the game of Tic-Tac-Toe on a physical board against a human player. The game is designed to use an Arduino board as its brain, along with the LED matrix, buzzer, and joystick module to make its moves and interact with the player.
The general features of the project include:
Arduino-based control: The system uses an Arduino board to handle the logic and decision-making for the game.
LED Matrix, Buzzer, and Joystick: The LED matrix displays the state of the game board, the buzzer provides audio feedback during the game, and the joystick module allows the player to select their moves interactively.
Game interface: The player can interact with the system via the joystick module to make their moves, and the system will respond by automatically updating the LED matrix to reflect its moves.
AI logic: The system uses a simple algorithm to decide its moves, making it a challenging opponent for the human player.
Game Setup: The system starts with an empty Tic-Tac-Toe grid displayed on the LED matrix. The player can make their first move using the joystick module.
Player’s Move: The player selects a space on the grid by moving the joystick and pressing its button, and the system detects this input to update the LED matrix.
System’s Move: Once the player has made their move, the system calculates its best possible move using a basic AI algorithm or a remote control and updates the LED matrix to display its piece (X or O).
Game Continuation: The game continues with alternating turns between the player and the system until there’s a winner or the game ends in a draw.
Endgame: The system will detect the game’s result—whether it’s a win, loss, or draw—and display the outcome on the LED matrix, signaling the end of the game with a buzzer sound.
This setup makes it an engaging and interactive project that brings together electronics, AI, and a traditional game.
The game is much similar to the one displayed within this video.
Construction Parts
The enclosure of the game console will be designed as 2.5D parts using Fusion 360 and fabricated using Laser Cutting.
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
The game console will take input from the player when the Joystick is pushed or moved to a specific direction.
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
The game has two modes:
Two players mode: The game will be displayed to the users on a led matrix and based on the user input, on an OLED screen a WINNER message will appear on the screen with the player number.
Play with AI mode: The game will be displayed to the user on a led matrix and based on the user input, on an OLED screen a (You win!) or (Ludus wins!)
Brain
An Arduino UNO/Mega board will be used take inputs and generate actions.
Power Management
The game console will be powered by a 9V Battery.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
Displaying an empty Tic-Tac-Toe grid on the LED matrix.
Action: LED matrix for visual representation of the game state.
Sensing: None
User Input: None
Allowing the player to make a move using the joystick module.
Action: Joystick module for directional movement and selection.
Sensing: None
User Input: Joystick module for directional movement and selection.
Complete User Features
Real-time feedback using the buzzer for move confirmation or errors.
Action: Buzzer for auditory feedback.
Sensing: None
User Input: None
Detecting game results (win, loss, draw) and displaying the outcome on the LED matrix.
Action: LED matrix for displaying updated game status and results.
Sensing: None
User Input: Joystick module for continuous player interaction.
AI logic to calculate and make system moves.
Action: Arduino for processing game logic.
Sensing: None
User Input: None
Nice-to-have User Features
Animations on the LED matrix for transitions between moves or endgame celebration.
Action: LED matrix for animations and score display
Sensing: None
User Input: None
Adjustable difficulty levels for the AI opponent.
Action: OLED screen for enhanced visuals and details.
Sensing: None
User Input: None
Component/Material
Amount
Link
Plywood sheets
1
On/Off switch
1
Breadboard
1
Battery 5V
1
Jumper wires
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
Testing the electronics components
Testing electronic components on their own
Building the project circuit and testing parallel connections
17 Feb
20 Feb
Fabricating & building the enclosure
Designing the enclosure on Fusion 360
Using the laser cutter machine to fabricate the enclosure
21 Feb
28 Feb
Programming
Create the code for the game
Testing the game with the code
1 March
5 March