GlowGrid: Vertical Tic Tac Toe Arcade
GlowGrid is a physical, interactive vertical Tic Tac Toe game inspired by Connect 4. Designed to be visually engaging and code-focused, the project was built to challenge my strengths in programming while simplifying physical construction through smart design choices.
Class: Prototyping Electronics for Designers (UXDG 325) Spring 2025
Tools Used: Arduino IDE (programming logic), Illustrator (laser cut design), Fusion 360 (early casing sketches), ChatGPT (code pairing & logic troubleshooting)
“As someone who doesn’t naturally gravitate toward physical builds, I challenged myself to create a product that leaned heavily on logic, coding, and electronics while still being tangible and fun.”
Gameplay Overview
Two players alternate placing tokens (X or O) into the vertical grid. A win triggers a celebratory animation, and the game resets automatically. GlowGrid cycles between sleep mode and active gameplay using custom logic and animation effects.
🔧 Tech & Materials
Inputs:
TCS3200 Color Sensor (detects red & blue game pieces)
IR Remote + IR Receiver (used for player control and move confirmation)
Output:
22x22 NeoPixel RGB LED Matrix
Hardware:
Arduino Mega 2560
Acrylic Snap-fit Casing (laser cut)
Pre-made X and O pieces
Code-Driven Features:
Sleep Mode with animated falling icons
Real-time color detection and token placement
Win detection and visual animations
IR Remote integration for intuitive controls
PDF download link to Project Process Book
Reflection
“This was my first large-scale physical computing project. I’m incredibly proud of how I tackled complex logic and made the game accessible, playable, and visually fun. I learned how to integrate multiple inputs, manage game states, and build a standalone experience that feels like a real arcade game.”
