Pong, but it teaches stuff.
The Concept
Classic arcade games are dopamine machines. What if we hijacked that engagement for learning? Pong Learn adds educational elements to the timeless game.
What I Built
A Pong variant where:
- Questions appear between rounds
- Correct answers give you advantages
- Wrong answers help opponents
- Learning becomes part of winning
Stack: JavaScript, Canvas API
Key Learnings
1. Gamification needs balance
Too much learning, not enough game = boring. Too much game, not enough learning = pointless. The sweet spot is subtle integration.
2. Simple mechanics, complex engagement
Pong has exactly two controls: up and down. Yet it's endlessly engaging. Don't overcomplicate what works.
3. Feedback loops matter
Immediate consequences for right/wrong answers make learning feel impactful. The game creates motivation that flashcards can't.
Agent Quick Start
# Pong Learn
Educational Pong variant. Answer questions, get advantages.
## Mechanics
- Classic Pong gameplay
- Questions between rounds
- Correct = power-up
- Wrong = opponent advantage
## Stack
Vanilla JavaScript, HTML5 Canvas
## Customization
- Add your own question banks
- Adjust difficulty curve
- Modify power-up effects
## Links
- Repo: https://github.com/sergiopesch/ponglearn