Twitch Plays Bumpkin

In Twitch Plays Bumpkin, participants compete to be the last pumpkin standing. Players control two rival pumpkins with the goal of either flipping their rival pumpkins or pushing their foes out of bounds. Players issue commands to the pumpkins over the Internet using Twitch, in a method similar to Twitch Plays Pokemon. Each pumpkin team consists of many players who all have control over their pumpkin, creating the need for team coordination and strategy. A live stream of the game ensures that the global masses are able to participate in the action.

Hardware: Hollowed out pumpkins were attached to modified remote control chassis to provide locomotion. A Raspberry Pi interfaces with the remote control by driving MOSFET’s which were wired to the circuit boards of the original transmitter.

Software: A Raspberry Pi

Coolest hack to make the game work: The remote control chassis used in the design only supports two independent channels. By replacing the oscillator on the transmitter and by rebuilding the circuitry of the receiver, we were able to create a third channel, allowing for the Rise of the pumpKing.

Also, we brought a toaster oven and cooked a lot of pumpkin seeds.