Arcade Science Day of Play

Arcade Science embraces the hands-on play and DIY ethos of innovative indie video games with a celebration of the mathematics and robotics underpinning game design. While many game designers are not mathematicians or scientists by training, some designers’ passions force them to teach themselves the advanced math, engineering, and physics required to make their games do what they imagine—all for the love of play.  

On this day, hear from soft robotics innovator Kari Love about the ways fabric, plushies, and other non-traditional materials can become controllers for computer robotics. Then, game designer Andy Wallace discusses where math and game design intersect, and the geometry principles inherent in his games—and offers audiences a chance to test play his latest game, Rocket Dog.

Meet the creators of HOVERBURGER (Nick Santaniello) and MASSIVE (Matt Fry) after playing their astronomy-themed games. These creators tell us about the inspirations for these games, as well as their creative and technical challenges.  This will be followed by a conversation among these four designers—and a chance for your questions.  

Also on this day, Arcade Commons leads hands-on circuit crafting with real arcade components—showing some of the basics of physical computing that go in to building a video game cabinet. Plus, draw your own video game, soft robotics demos from NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) students & alumni, and more.  

Following the program, all Arcade Science participants are invited to join us for a reception to celebrate the close of another successful season of Open Worlds: Science. 

This program is presented in partnership with Arcade Commons.

Schedule of Events 

11 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Play indie games HOVERBURGER and MASSIVE (first come, first served) 

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. All-ages hands-on activities, including circuit building with real arcade components and “Draw your Own Video Game” coloring 

1:00–2:30 p.m. Conversation: Arcade Science with soft robotics innovator Kari Love and game designers Matt Fry, Nick Santaniello, and Andy Wallace (RSVP here)

2:30–3:30 p.m. Demo of select indie games and soft robotics students and alumni of NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program

3:00–5:00 p.m. Open Worlds: Science series finale reception