I am Sara Cladlow, a social consultant working in Washington, DC. I provide consulting, social training, and event services for both corporate and political clients. I also accept contracts for security investigations requiring a subtle touch.
The 2025 eChallengeCoin is a limited edition release. It will be available at in-person conferences we attend.
The big creative challenge for 2025 is the full gold - yes, real gold - design!
What's New
The 2025 eChallengeCoin is a limited edition release.
This eChallengeCoin can be enjoyed two ways: as a text adventure game and as a CircuitPython development platform!
The 2025 eChallengeCoin has three touch pads. These are not used for the text adventure game. They are provided for use with CircuitPython. There are also three groups of Neopixels - conveniently aligned with the touch pads - and a small speaker.
There is no battery this year. The 2025 eChallengeCoin is very much a 'coin' when not connected to a computer.
The driving force behind the design of the 2025 eChallengeCoin is 'simple keeps the costs down' while also supporting both a full text adventure game ... and CircuitPython.
The 2025 eChallengeCoin is priceless ... by which we mean you can not buy one. These will be given as gifts for those who's deeds promote STEM and technical skills in our youth.
The text adventure game is accessed using terminal software and the eChallengeCoin has a USB-C connector. As soon as it is connected to the computer with a USB cable. Tt presents as a serial device. The game is relatively easy as there are a little of 40 rooms and less than 20 object. The game may get extended (or get some bug fixes). And, since its is easy to install new firmware, the hardware may get new games in the future.
The 2025 eChallengeCoin also runs CirCuitPython. Once you have completed the text adventure game, the eChallengeCoin is great for creating a mini macropad! Visit CircuitPython.org for the latest firmware build specifically for the eChallengeCoin. Then check out the many learning guides published by Adafruit.
Hardware and Firmware Resources
The text adventure game runs on the 2025 eChallengeCoin as well as most development boards which use the Microchip SAMD21 microcontroller. If you want to play the game and do not have the 2025 eChallengeCoin, one good option is the Adafruit ItsyBitsy M0 Express. It has the same SAMD21 microcontroller adn has a small FLASH chip which the game uses to store the player's progress.
Once you have the hardware, you can download the text adventure game. Currently there are two games available:
Installing the game is easy. After downloading the UF2 ...
The game is now installed and ready to play.
