How can electronic textile techniques be used to create bespoke, alternative game controllers?
This game jam provided participants with the opportunity and support to apply the skills introduced through the Textile Game Controller Workshop Series (2018-2020) to fully developed e-textile game controller prototypes. Due to the new remote format, we’ve extended the game jam over several weeks on Zoom and Slack.
Each participant was delivered a bespoke Textile Game Controllers Kit that contains a Circuit Playground, e-textile materials, and the sewing and crafting supplies necessary for the techniques to be used in the jam.
Textile Game Controllers Kit:
- Alligator Clips
- Circuit Playground Classic
- Conductive fabric (iron-on adhesive)
- Conductive fabric (no adhesive)
- Conductive fibre
- Conductive thread
- Design templates
- Embroidery floss
- Embroidery hoop
- Fabric
- Felt
- Felting needles and sponge
- Finger protectors for felting
- Needles and threader
- Regular thread
- Resistors (10K Ohm)
- Thick Felt
- Velostat
- Wool fibre
Canadian Suppliers:
- Digikey Canada
- Elmwood Electronics
- Robotshop
- more coming soon!
Additional Resources:
Please go to our Github repo to check the code examples.
Please go to our Vimeo page to check the tutorials on how to make Digital Switch, Analog Sensor, Capacitive Sensing with Conductive Fabric, Capactive Sensing with Felting and Capacitive Sensing with Embroidery.
Projects made by participants:
It’s a ball by Berkley Staite 
Okay Soundz by Bonnie Yau 
Sauce Yer Dog by Coley & Nathan 
Erica Charbonneau 
Izzie & Jennie 
Soft Paw Controller by Izzy & Jordanne 
Demon Furby Plush by Jillian and Jesse 
Folding controller by Kaelan 
Kezia Adamo 
Space Junkyard Blowup by Shannen & Leanna 
Flower Parade by Richa, Len & Hillary 
3D Whackamole by Maria Yablonina 
Unicorn Game Controller by Michelle B 
Nadine Lessio 
Birdsongs Pad by Nicole Croiset 
Percy, the Cyber Pigeon by Red Hauser