Scrapyard Challenge: Classic Arcade Controller ReDesign Workshop!

Have you ever wanted to play a game but could never master the given controller?

The Scrapyard Challenge: Classic Arcade Controller Redesign Workshop is an interactive, arcade controller design workshop that will allow you to build and design novel controllers for classic arcade games such as Street Fighter, Ms.PacMan, Contra, Donkey Kong, Crash Bandicoot, Super Mario Bros, Mario Kart, Space Invaders, and more.

Participants are split into groups and can choose a classic video game and design a novel controller (the crazier the better!) to control all aspects of the game such as action buttons including jump, kick, punch, shoot, magic and directions such as up, down right, left. The goal is to make each game as interactive as possible (the crazier the better!) with full-body control systems built from scrap materials and junk.

The workshop uses custom built interface boards with USB encoders and RaspberryPi computers running RetroPie for game emulation.

No knowledge necessary to participate - open to anyone with a curious mind who wants to hack electronics!

NOTE: For this workshop participants are encouraged to bring "junk" to the workshop to hack on. This can include: Misc gadgets - basically any old kids toys that have moving parts are good - like a kids mini garage set or a plastic radio or plastic doll house, etc.. on the gadget side - things like electric can openers, fans, old record players, RC cars, etc…

Scrapyard Challenge Workshops: http://www.scrapyardchallenge.com

Your Leaders:

Jonah Brucker-Cohen is an award winning researcher, artist, writer, and videogame enthusiast. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Lehman College / CUNY in the Bronx. He is a New INC. mentor, was previously a New York Hall of Science Designer in Residence and was a visiting artist at Cornell Tech. He received his Ph.D. in the Disruptive Design Team of the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department of Trinity College Dublin. His work focuses on the theme of “Deconstructing Networks” and includes over 100 creative projects that critically challenge and subvert accepted perceptions of network interaction and experience. His artwork has been exhibited at venues such as SFMOMA, Canadian Museum of Contemporary Art, MOMA, ICA London, Whitney Museum of American Art, Palais du Tokyo, Tate Modern, Ars Electronica, Transmediale, and more. His projects, “Bumplist” and “America’s Got No Talent” are both included in the permanent collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art. His writing has appeared in publications such as WIRED, Make, Gizmodo, Neural and more. His hardware hacking Scrapyard Challenge workshops have been held in over 15 countries in Europe, South America, North America, Asia, and Australia since 2003. Projects and Work: http://www.coin-operated.com

Sebastian Bidegain (@voidfillstudio) is an artist and designer at Cornell Tech's MakerLAB. He utilizes a range of techniques including 3D printing, mold-making, and electroplating to craft sculptures and objects. He enjoys repurposing electronics, breathing new life into them through whimsical designs such as his Gamecube bluetooth speaker (GAINCUBE). His portfolio includes lamps, furniture, jewelry, and wearable electronics, has been showcased during NYCxDESIGN week. Projects and Work: http://voidfillstudio.com

This is a masks optional event.

As with all NYC Resistor events, this class is 18+ and governed by our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct, as well as accessibility information, can be found at www.nycresistor.com/participate/.

Please note that refunds must be requested 24 hours in advance. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

NYC Resistor, 87 Third Avenue, Brooklyn, United States