Body Pong

Body Pong is based on the original Pong arcade game from Atari, with a line down the middle of the screen representing a net separating one player’s area from the other, and a ball that bounces back and forth when players bump it. Instead of using paddles, players bounce the ball off their bodies via live silhouettes that look like each players shadows

Northern Spark 2012 video

Northern Spark is a once a year dawn to dusk all night arts festival. Free to all, it’s a packed event. This video is a summary of the festival. Body Pong is shown in the beginning.

Body Pong video

Body Pong is based on the original Pong arcade game from Atari, with a line down the middle of the screen representing a net separating one player’s area from the other, and a ball that bounces back and forth when players bump it. Instead of using paddles, players bounce the ball off their bodies via live silhouettes that look like shadows. Points are scored by bouncing the ball past the line and past the other player’s shadow.

Body Pong development

The research and development of Body Pong was supported by the Learning Technologies Center, a department within the Science Museum of Minnesota. Aaron Heidgerken, an Exhibit Programmer at SMM, and I, an Education Program Specialist for LTC, developed Body Pong out of an interest in the creative potential of a hacked Kinect sensor used with creative open-source software.

Festival Trailer

A short trailer highlighting key activities during the Northern Spark 2012 event. Body Pong is shown towards the middle.

Body Pong gallery

Body Pong press

Twin Cities Public Television

Twin Cities Public Television

Minnesota Monthly

Minnesota Monthly

Twin Cities Daily Planet

Twin Cities Daily Planet

Northern Spark Flicker

Northern Spark Flicker

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