DIY Arduboy Contest

If you are a winner, we will contact you directly via email to arrange the shipment of your prize.

Participants who receive free hardware and do not submit a project may be ineligible for future giveaways unless the hardware is returned.

If you receive free hardware and become unable to submit a project, please contact us at kevin@hackster.io and let us know as soon as possible. We may choose to arrange for the hardware to be shipped to another participant.

To be eligible for judging, you must meet ALL of the following requirements unless otherwise stated:

General Requirements

• You must be registered as a participant for this contest.
• Your entry must be your own original work.
• Your entry cannot have been selected as a winner in any other Hackster contest.
• Your team is no more than 5 members per entry.*

*By entering a submission to this contest on behalf of a team, you acknowledge that you are the designated representative authorized to act on behalf of your team. (See full rules below for details)

Hardware Application Requirements

Note: If you choose to submit an application for free hardware, you must meet the following requirements. If not, continue to 'Hardware/Software Build Requirements' below.

• Your hardware application must be submitted via the online application form found on the contest page’s “apply for hardware” tab.
• Your hardware application must be written in English.
• Your hardware application must be compatible with Arduboy games.
• Your hardware application must be submitted by May 13, 2021 at 5:04 PM PT.

Software Build Requirements

• Your system must either be directly compatible with .hex files compiled for the ATmega32u4, or if compiling games from source for a different platform, the necessary code changes and/or library to adapt other games must be documented and provided.

Project Documentation Requirements

• Your project must include a project name, short project description, cover image, bill of materials (BOM), full instructions, images, and relevant resource files (schematics, code, CAD).
• Your project must be written in English.
• Your project must be submitted by Jun 30, 2021 at 5:00 PM PT.

Your project will be judged according to the rubric below.

• Project Documentation (30 points)
  Story/Instructions - Show how you created your project, including images, screenshots, and/or a video demonstration of your solution working as intended. Ask yourself: “If I were a beginner reading this project, would I understand how to recreate it?”
• Complete BOM (10 points)
  Detail the hardware, software and/or tools used.
• Schematics (10 points)
  Draw your circuit diagrams using software like Fritzing.org and/or take detailed photographs.
• Code & Contribution (20 points)
  Include working code with helpful comments.
• Creativity (30 points)
  Your idea doesn’t have to be original, but it should be creative (a fresh take on an old idea is often worth as much as a brand new idea)

Bonus Points

• New Microcontroller (30 points)
  Use a chip other than the ATmega32u4 to build an Arduboy compatible game system. Points will be given by novelty and difficulty. You can get more points for using a chip that has not previously been supported, but also gain points for other currently working alternatives so long as you provide documentation.
• Custom PCB (20 points)
  Use a custom PCB in the design of your Arduboy compatible game system. You can use it with modules, through hole or surface mount components. We recommend OSH Park Super Swift Service for this contest but you are welcome to use any PCB company.

• 1st Place: Arduboy FX + $75 Gift Card ($129 value)
• 2nd Place: Arduboy FX + $50 Gift Card ($104 value)
• 3rd Place: Arduboy FX + $25 Gift Card ($79 value)

• Original Arduboy ($29 value) (20 are available)

• Arduboy FX Mod-Chip ($15 value) (10 are available)

Step 1: Register for the Contest

• Start by creating a free account on Hackster.io (or sign-in if already a member).
• Register for the contest by clicking “Register as a participant”.

Step 2: Build and Document Your Project

• Build your project according to the submission requirements.
• Document your project build using Hackster’s project template. To create a new project, click “create new project” on the contest page or the “+” symbol in the top right corner of your Hackster page.

Step 3: Review and submit your project

• Review your project and make sure it meets all the submission requirements.
• Upload a previously created project by clicking “add existing project” on the contest page.
• Submit your project by Jun 30, 2021 at 5:00 PM PT by clicking “review and submit project” on the contest page.

Free devices winners will be announced by May 14, 2021. The list of winners will be visible on the Apply for hardware tab.

Contest winners will be announced on July 8, 2021. The list of winners will be visible on the main page (Contest brief).

You are eligible to enter if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

• You are at least 13 years of age
  If you are 12 years or younger, you must receive a legal guardian's permission and have them complete Hackster’s contest permission form prior to submitting an entry into this contest. Send any questions to contests@hackster.io.
• You are not a resident of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria
  US export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to the countries listed above, therefore residents of these countries are not eligible to participate in this challenge.
• You are not involved in the execution or administration of this contest.
• You are not an immediate family member or household member of a Hackster employee.

Arduboy as a company will continue as it always has! The brand new Arduboy FX just launched and now this contest is a great way to introduce the platform to new people and promote open source education.

Kevin hopes to continue his mission of teaching the value of open-source learning. Making electronics is a great way to develop skills like critical thinking and problem solving. Now working at Hackster, that message doesn't have to be restricted to only a single device. After witnessing the sucess of Arduboy in changing peoples lives through self-directed education, he wants to bring that same fun and exciting energy to the Hackster platform.

The launching and management of contests will be lead by Kevin and supported by the rest of the Hackster team. Stay tuned for more!

Of course, but now it's like an after-hours type of thing! (It actually has been for quite a while!)