What it is: Amp It Up was a 24-hour project created during the Physical Computing course led by Massimo Banzi and Jose Chavarría. The goal was to design a creative and interactive game using any combination of modal inputs and outputs.
How it works: The result was a single-player game housed in a custom-built radio box, featuring two knobs as input controls. Each knob corresponded to a distinct frequency range, and the player’s objective was to manipulate both knobs to match specific paired frequencies. When the correct pair of frequencies was found, an LED light was triggered.
The player had 30 seconds to identify each correct pairing; failure to do so within the time limit reset the game. Success required finding all three frequency pairings, at which point all LEDs would light up and begin blinking to signify victory. The frequency-matching mechanic was inspired by harmonious piano scales, creating an engaging connection to musical theory. Additionally, a metronome sound was incorporated to simulate the pressure of a ticking clock, heightening the intensity of gameplay.
Learnings: The project aimed to integrate music as a thematic element while showcasing the team’s understanding of core electrical components learned earlier in the course, such as potentiometers and buzzers. Despite technical challenges, the collaborative effort allowed the team—composed entirely of individuals without prior computing experience—to learn and grow together. Amp It Up became a milestone project, serving as a foundation for future endeavors in interactive design and physical computing.
