Pong Steps: The Rhythm of Play

Pong Steps: The Rhythm of Play strips away the controller and puts the player's whole body in play. Inspired by Dance Dance Revolution, it transforms the classic Pong mechanic into a physical performance where movement, rhythm, and surprise drive the experience.

The custom dance mat uses six ultrasonic distance sensors arranged in zones — three controlling upward paddle movement, three controlling downward. The twist: the active sensor zones randomise during gameplay, so players can't just memorise a pattern. They have to stay alert, agile, and present.

An onboard buzzer responds to every paddle movement with "BEEP" and "BOOP" tones, turning the game's audio into an improvised rhythm track. Six LED strips light up the active zones in real time, giving players immediate visual feedback as the game shifts beneath them.

Under the hood, an Arduino reads the sensors and sends values (0, 1, or 2) via Bluetooth to a P5.js sketch that handles all game visuals. The hardware and software stay cleanly separated, making the system easy to extend.

The project draws on Donald Norman's observation that music, social interaction, and play are among humanity's most persistent activities — and positions Pong Steps at their intersection.

Team: Joshua Pothen, Peter Oke, JC Zhang, Jakob Visic