Recreating Pong

Question

Hi, I do not know if this is the right area to post this if it is not I am sorry. I am pretty new to the single board computers and trying to recreate Pong without using programming. Not looking for an answer on how to do it more of a answer of where to start learning on how to accomplish this, such as generating an image onto a screen using different logic chips with hsync and vsync.

ralphjy · Answer

That reminds me that I have a Pong game that I built many many years ago using the LSI IC that is referenced in the article. I think it’s sitting in a junk box somewhere. I never did build a case for it. If I can find it I may attempt to get it working again .

beacon_dave · Answer

I recall that there was a blog on Adafruit last year about recreating Pong on 74series logic. PONG: making a game with 74 series logic https://blog.adafruit.com/2019/04/08/pong-making-a-game-with-74-series-logic-chips-atari-pong-gaming-history-pcb/ Which may have some helpful resources.

ralphjy · Answer

Sounds like fun and I guess that would fit with the overall theme of the workshop?? A quick look through my accessible junk didn't turn up the old game so maybe I'll have to wait for your PYNQ implementation . I built it around 40 years ago using the General Instruments AY-3-8500-1 IC. I had a certain fondness for that game since it was the first video game I ever built (I think I copied a design out of Radio Electronics). I made the controllers from pots housed in used 35mm film canisters. Interestingly enough I did discover an AY-3-8700-1 chip which was the "Tank" game. Unfortunately it has a giant "X" on the top. Don't recall if I marked it or possibly I bought a manufacturing reject (I used to get a lot of my parts that way). The date code is 7805.

wolfgangfriedrich · Answer

It has been done before, even more crazy than we could ever imagine. Analog discrete PONG on a scope: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/oscilloscope-pong-for-1-or-2-players/ No digital ICs have been harmed during this build. My jaws dropped. - W.

shabaz · Answer

Also, as well as the excellent resources regarding logic implementation and how Pong and VGA works etc.,, while you're in the research phase, you might want to investigate FPGAs and their development environments, HDLs, schematic entry, and also 'test harnesses', and, consider how you will wish to design and test your project (for instance, if you need to be connected to a real VGA monitor at all times while you design it, then it is tiresome if you want some flexibility in where you work - I like working on a laptop in different rooms in the house, so I wouldn't want to lug a separate VGA monitor around). Even if you're not intending to use an FPGA, the learning isn't just relevant to using FPGAs, it is relevant to digital design and test. Some of these things will help you test out before needing to physically prototype using logic ICs. Some of these design and testing activities may require some programming however, so you might not be able to escape that, if you wish to speed up your design effort. Otherwise there is also the physical experimental approach, which might be fun too, i.e. just start breadboarding bits of it! When it comes to the physical construction, maybe a 'scope or logic analyzer will be useful to you while you breadboard/test.

beacon_dave · Answer

How long before 'project Pong' on the PYNQ-Z2 ? Could try synthesizing on FPGA or run multiple instances concurrently on 8-bit PicoBlaze (or both at the same time and why not one in PyGame on the ARM A9 core as well). Options for HDMI display, local/networked controllers and even camera based gesture recognition... 'Pong playtime on ZYNQ'

airbornesurfer · Answer

Can confirm. The OG Pong cab did use discrete logic. No software. That all changed when they released the home versions, though.

It would be kinda fun to replicate the entire circuit from scratch. Definitely a project for down the road....

However, that's not where I would start if you wanted to really learn what's going on. In my opinion, you'll gain a lot more by learning how to build a static image using analog circuitry then bending the circuit to see what effects you get. That's how I learned, anyway Circuit bending really helps you learn what very specific variables affect signal generation and acquisition, leading to a better understanding of the concept overall.

Ben Eater has a great walkthrough that explains how analog video works as he builds a working VGA card for his breadboard computer.

Alternatively, you can hack together some RCA breakout cables, hook them up breadboard, and go nuts with a couple potentiometers and various capacitors on a VCR/retro game console output.

dougw · Answer

2 player pong on an Arduino: https://www.instructables.com/id/2-player-Pong-using-Arduino/ https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-recreate-the-classic-pong-game-using-arduino/

michaelkellett · Answer

If you really have a lot of lockdown time on your hands, how about analogue pong ? Rules would be, no counters or shift registers or logic more complex than that. Inputs are easy - two pots giving voltages. The ball position can be represented by two time varying analogue signals, one for X and one for Y. A window comparator will tell you if the ball hit the bat. If you use integrators to make the X and Y signals the bounce needs a sample-invert-gain-hold (fancy maths not required) Any one tempted ? MK

beacon_dave · Answer

These use programming however, or am I missing something ? Tom Igoe did an interesting network Pong project in 'Making Things Talk' (2nd Ed) using Arduinos as Telnet clients and Processing as the game server. Unfortunately he dropped it in the 3rd Ed. I recall there was also an interesting bit about Pong in Wireframe 'Code the Classics' https://wireframe.raspberrypi.org/books/code-the-classics1

beacon_dave · Answer

The Atari arcade version of Pong appears to have been made primarily out of discrete logic devices so without software. There was a schematic included at the link given in my original reply

https://www.element14.com/community/message/292327/l/re-recreating-pong#292327

airbornesurfer may have some knowledge in this area.

Recreating Pong

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