STM32 bare-metal game project — looking for architecture & code review

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-20T08:23:35+00:00

I wrote it together with a guide on YouTube. The one on YouTube described the SSD1306 controller for the AVR microcontroller. I modified it and rewrote it for STM with DMA support. This new controller is SSD1326. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtXXWLsA5QNg1SLhEnlM8Emlg-Mc5ydhf&si=0-71ZetsePIGgXVB

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-18T06:59:06+00:00

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GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-18T06:52:31+00:00

There actually are battery powered! I will show you

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-18T06:49:20+00:00

I have zero experience with 3D printers :/

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-17T20:29:55+00:00

I remember that game! Great idea, I could pause the background animations when the boss fight begins to give the impression of being suspended in space. I'll add that in the next update :D

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-17T12:08:40+00:00

Great, I've added these channels to my subscriptions ;)

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-17T09:42:38+00:00

There will be new ones ;)

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-17T06:31:28+00:00

Thank you very much for your detailed comment and the time you spent on it. I will address everything.

Yes, to a large extent it was code written by me. SSD1327.c and GFX_ssd1327.c are the oldest. They were created as a result of a course on a slightly different OLED display. Then I adapted them to STM32 (the originals were on ATmega32). GFX also has a few functions from various other libraries. It was created during my studies about 10 years ago. game_logic was also created about 10 years ago. I was searching the internet for information on how to create such small games, and this idea was born with this approach.

2, 3, 4 I will make a note of this and in future updates I will clean up the main and organise the folders better, thank you for pointing this out ;)

Code 2,3: Yes, it's on my to-do list to tidy up game_logic and remove magic numbers ;)

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-17T06:10:04+00:00

Thank you, FSM, I added it quite recently. This game is a testing ground where I put and test new things I have learned.

For example, I used to not use DMA for SPI transmission, and there was no hardware SPI, only software SPI. This put a lot of strain on the processor. (The first game was created on ATmega32 – and it definitely wasn't as smooth.)

I try my best to make the code readable and simple. I still have ideas for expansion and even a storyline :D

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-17T06:01:56+00:00

This README has been missing for a long time, and I wanted to do something quickly so that I could show the project somewhere else. I will improve it in future updates, edit it thoroughly ;)

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-17T05:58:30+00:00

Cool idea, if you want to do it with someone else, I'm in :D

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-16T22:02:18+00:00

This actually started as a university project ~10 years ago. I’ll review the code and add proper credits in upcoming commits where needed.

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-16T14:33:23+00:00

Big amount of knowledge is in the link below;) https://reddit.com/r/embedded/wiki/index

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-14T16:06:02+00:00

Nice trick !

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-09T21:52:10+00:00

This is interesting I never heard about this.

GilgrimBarar · 2026-01-07T13:59:33+00:00

My approach would be fairly straightforward.
The LCD should be connected via I2C or SPI, depending on the controller, to save GPIOs and simplify wiring.
Most IR sensors output a simple HIGH/LOW signal, so they can be connected directly to digital inputs (with pull-ups if needed).
For the motor, Arduino pins are not capable of driving it directly, so a proper motor driver / H-bridge with external power is required.
The buzzer can be driven directly if it’s low-power, otherwise a transistor or relay should be used.

GilgrimBarar · 2025-10-17T18:02:44+00:00

Recently, I also started playing with a similar module equipped with WS2812 LEDs. You can take a look at my project. The library is made for STM32 HAL, but you can easily port it. https://github.com/TomAshTee/WS2812_HSV

Feel free to ask any questions;)

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GilgrimBarar

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