Pinball Prototype – A Physics-Based Browser Game

• Role: Game Developer, UX Designer
• Technologies: TypeScript, Canvas/WebGL, Physics Engine (Planck.js), HTML/CSS

Overview

This browser-based pinball prototype was my personal deep dive into real-time interaction design, physics simulation, and game feel. Inspired by classic pinball mechanics, I wanted to challenge myself with collision detection, timing, user feedback, and smooth rendering—all in a lightweight, browser-native environment.

Screenshots & Demo

Goals

• Build a working physics-based pinball game using only web technologies.
• Learn how to implement 2D physics, flipper mechanics, and collision responses.
• Create a retro-inspired visual and audio experience.
• Explore game UX, especially around controls and feedback.

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Features

• 🌀 Interactive Flippers: Smooth, reactive control using keyboard or touchscreen input.
• 🧲 Realistic Ball Physics: Implemented using [Planck.js] or custom force logic, including friction, gravity, and rebounds.
• 🎯 Scoring System: Points awarded for targets hit and combo chains.
• 🌈 Retro Aesthetic: Pixel-inspired visuals and simple game loop for a nostalgic feel.
• 🔄 Restartable Loop: Quick reset flow for instant replayability.

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Design Process

Even though this was a technical challenge, I approached it with a UX mindset:

• Prioritized control responsiveness and player feedback—key in pinball.
• Made early sketches of table layouts and player flows.
• Tuned flipper angles and ball bounces over many iterations for game feel.
• Created a clean, uncluttered layout with vibrant color cues.

Challenges

• Getting the ball and flippers to interact with just the right amount of bounce and force.
• Balancing performance with physics calculations in the browser.
• Designing a game interface that felt retro yet responsive and modern.

What I Learned

• Deeper understanding of game loops, animation frames, and input handling.
• Experience tweaking physics parameters to match desired behavior.
• How small UX tweaks (like sound timing or visual feedback) dramatically affect game feel.
• Reinforced the idea that even small games benefit from intentional design.

Next Steps

• Add more levels.
• Explore porting it to WebAssembly for performance experiments.
• Release as an open-source project or tutorial series on real-time browser games.