BuzzCatcher

4-Person Buzzer Game

See the assembly directions hosted https://www.instructables.com/4-Person-Wired-Buzzer-Game-From-Scratch/.

Description

This project includes the hardware design files and source code needed to build a four-person buzzer game from scratch.

It was created as a volunteer activity associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach teenagers how to solder, 3D print, and program in C++.

You are welcome to use and learn from this project under the MIT License.

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How to Play

1. Connect the handles using the RJ12 ports.
2. Power on the motherboard by connecting it to a USB power supply.
3. The game will play a startup song.
4. The slide switch toggles sound muting.
5. The game starts in the reset state—all handle LEDs should be off.
6. Ask a question.
7. Press the motherboard button to enable responses—handles will light up the left LED.
8. Players press and hold a handle button to respond.
   • The motherboard will play a sound.
   • If two players press at the same time, the motherboard applies a random tiebreaker.
   • Players can press the button before responses are enabled.
9. The winning handle will light up the right LED.
10. The player states their answer.
11. Judge and score manually.
12. Press the motherboard button to reset and go back to step 6.

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Code

Diagnostics

Short test scripts for buttons and LEDs—useful for teaching coding basics.

Game

The Arduino project implementing the game using the FreeRTOS framework.

• Customize the song_XXXXX files to add custom buzzer sounds.
• The main file for Arduino compilation is game.ino.

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3D Printed Components

Designed in FreeCAD. .stl files for 3D printing are available in the corresponding component folders.

Case

A 3D-printable enclosure for the motherboard.

Handle

A 3D-printable enclosure for the four handles, each equipped with a button and LEDs. The handles connect to the motherboard via RJ12 phone cables.

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PCB Design

Designed in KiCad.

• The exports folder contains:
  • Bill of materials (BOM)
  • Gerber and drill files for PCB manufacturing
• Also includes:
  • A .step model and schematic printout for circuit reference
• Note: This repository does not include the full KiCad parts library required for board file recreation.

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Cost Estimate

At the time of publication:

• PCB and component costs: $75 - $125 USD per board (varies based on order size; e.g., Osh Park requires a minimum order of 3 PCBs).
• 3D printing material: ~300g of PLA per system.
• Assembly time:
  • Skilled labor: ~2 hours
  • Beginners: ~10 hours