10/12/2024

After stabilizing the skateboard, we encountered a new issue: the accelerometer lacked sensitivity. To move right, for example, it required a very large movement, which disrupted gameplay.

To address this, we modified the code and tested the game using our controller to fine-tune the sensitivity. This allowed us to find the optimal balance, ensuring the player wouldn't be destabilized during gameplay.

We also identified another challenge: relying solely on the accelerometer for all four motions made the gameplay difficult for the player. Small tilts were often misinterpreted by the program, causing unintended movements (e.g., jumping when trying to move right or left). To improve stability, we decided to replace the "down" motion with a button.

The button was positioned on the underside of the skateboard, designed to be pressed when the board was bent downward and the button made contact with the floor. To enhance functionality, we added a piece of foam to the button, reducing the amount of tilt needed to activate it. This adjustment made the controls more responsive and intuitive.

During this session, we also did welding to make the cable of the button longer so it doesn't disrupt the gameplay.

The final step involved assembling all the components into a cohesive design. We fixed the box containing the accelerometer to the skateboard and refined the overall appearance to create an immersive controller that clearly reflected its purpose: to enhance the Subway Surfer gaming experience.