W.O.P.R. Missile Launch Code Display Kit - HAXORZ

Name: W.O.P.R. Missile Launch Code Display Kit - HAXORZ
SKU: 19465
Price: 49.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.69 (12 reviews)

(12 Reviews)

Now back in stock - Updated HAXORZ II EDITION! A modern take on the W.O.P.R. missile launch sequence from the 1983 movie War Games

Designed by Unexpected Maker in Australia

W.O.P.R. Missile Launch Code Display Kit - HAXORZ 1

W.O.P.R. Missile Launch Code Display Kit - HAXORZ 2

W.O.P.R. Missile Launch Code Display Kit - HAXORZ 3

2020-04-03T23:23:48.611Z-wopr_display_01.jpg

2023-04-21T05:24:14.314Z-WOPR_Haxorz_Edition_II.jpg

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Now back in stock - Updated HAXORZ II EDITION! A modern take on the W.O.P.R. missile launch sequence from the 1983 movie War Games

New HAXORZ II EDITION! This is a newly updated version of the W.O.P.R kit, including the following new features: A modern take on the W.O.P.R. missile launch sequence from the 1983 movie War Games. I…

New HAXORZ II EDITION!

This is a newly updated version of the W.O.P.R kit, including the following new features:

A modern take on the W.O.P.R. missile launch sequence from the 1983 movie War Games.

I love the movie War Games - It was one of my first glimpses into computers and how they could be connected, and I thought that the W.O.P.R. computer in the movie was amazing, with all of it's flashing LEDs and computer noises.

But most of all, I loved the intense missile unlock sequence in the movie. W.O.P.R. guessing the unlock code, while Matthew Broderick tries to teach it that no one ever wins. It was exciting and I always wanted to make a "replica" of that unlock sequence... and I finally did!

It's a very versatile display. It can be programmed to display any messages, and because it runs off a TinyPICO + Audio Shield, it can play sounds/music, has WiFi and BT so it's a fully-featured IoT device, with a sexy display made from 12x 14 segment digits.

What are the 5 numbers?

The 5 Acrylic numbers at the top right are DEFCON numbers, used in the project (and in the movie) to show the current defense condition, 5 being at peace and 1 being at war. These numbers are lit up by the RGB LEDs that come pre-assembled on the PCB.

What's in the kit?

The kit comes with everything you need to build your W.O.P.R display. A few components come pre-assembled on the PCB for you as they have plastic cases and can't be hand soldered easily.

PCB (With RGB LEDs and 1x 100nF capacitor pre-assembled)
6x Red 2 digit 14 segment displays
6x 10k 0805 resistors
3x HT16K33 LED drivers
3x 100nF 0805 capacitors
2x 47k 0805 resistors
2x Schottky diodes
2x Large tactile buttons
2x Small tactile button
1x Acrylic front plate
1x 3D printed back
4x mounting screws and nuts
5x Acrylic defcon number inserts
4x 10 pin female headers
1x Assembly card

Optional:

1x Audio Shield
1x TinyPICO (USB-C) or TinyS2 or TinyS3

Is there any code?

Yup! I have put together some code that implements a few different features, including an NTP clock, a movie unlock sequence simulation, and a "display whatever message" random unlock sequence.

The included features are selectable via a menu on the display (right button is menu, left button start) so feel free to add more features to it!

Download the code and flash it to your TinyPICO via the Arduino IDE. The code is released as open source under the MIT and is available via the link below.

What else can this display be used for?

Well, it's a fancy IoT display, so it can be used for all sorts of "connected" tasks, like a schedule/task reminder system, an online messaging system, social media counter, pager?

If you think up a cool use for the display, please let me know!

Do I have to use a TinyPICO?

No, you don't have to use a TinyPICO for the display, you can wire in a different ESP32 micro-controller board if you want, but it's not going to look as neat :) Here's a hookup guide for the pins you need to connect:

The Arduino code linked to below is written to run specifically on an ESP32, utilising ESP32 only functionality like RMT for the RGB LEDs. If you'd like to use a non-ESP32, you'll need to hack the code yourself to get it working.

Find out more about what I do

Check out my youtube channel to see videos about the projects I work on!

Unexpected Maker

Unexpected Maker YouTube

Unexpected Maker Twitter

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Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.75)

Documentation: (4.42)

Shipping: (4.67)

Communication: (4.92)

Jon | Aug. 29, 2024

Great kit that needs actual directions

This is a great kit. I had a great time building it, and it only took a few hours. However there really needs to be an instruction sheet. Just a page, shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to write. The provided video and component layout sheets are nice but not enough.

Couple pro tips; make sure you install all the SMT components first. Use hot air reflow if you can, the joints will be a lot cleaner and more uniform. Be sure you position the diodes properly. The board has a mark silkscreened on that corresponds to the line on the component itself.

Then do the segment LEDs and switches. Clip the excess LED leads when you’re done.

The switches don’t go in any specific orientation since they’re just momentary push buttons. Be careful with the small ones - one of mine came apart (the housing and button popped off exposing the membrane - I was able to reassemble it).

Then do the headers. MAKE SURE THE SHORT END OF THE HEADER GOES THROUGH THE MAIN PCB. This was my mistake and one line of text woulda saved me a lot of hassle. If you put the long end through you’ll end up with joints that interfere with the 3D printed case. Either way you’ll need to clip off the excess leads. Then solder the TinyPico and audio shield to the long header pins and clip the leads.

Now finally you have to flash the TinyPico. That wasn’t clear from the video since he did the build then plugged it in and everything worked. Sure, if the computer is already set up. Instructions for doing this are clear-ish on GitHub though those could use some polish too. WiFi settings are in the secrets header file and get directly compiled in.

Once you’ve got the board assembled and test fit into the upper plastic case(not including the acrylic) you can install the DEFCON numbers. These have vinyl protectors on them, both sides. Peel off the white stickers carefully to expose the nice clean acrylic. Drop them in place from above. You’ll see how they sit on top of the RGB LEDs. Take them out one by one and put a TINY dot of super glue on the front of bottom portion. Gently guide it in place and hold it against the outer case (not the LED) until it sticks. Repeat with the others. It’ll look and work great.

Gary | April 12, 2023

Surface-mount make this a tough build for the hobbyist.

If you're not used to dealing with the super-tiny world of surface-mount components, don't buy this kit until you are.

The kit is very well made and the results are fabulous, but when a capacitor pops out of your tweezers it is *gone*. These components cost pennies and I think the kit should come with extras, but aside from that it's a wonderful display piece.

Paul | June 18, 2022

Retro, Interesting and Fun! Be the envy of other nerds

A really cool kit. I would recommend adding on the Tiny PICO and Audio shield when you order the WOPR. It was a combination of through hole and surface mount components. Clear instructions. Had a little trouble with the LEDs but turns out it was my poor soldering job.
Code example gave basic functionality but can be easily modified, I have ideas maybe to tie into the weather and display temp, lower the DEFCON for a storm warning.

Any nerd from the 80s needs this.

Kevin | June 8, 2021

I’m ready to play a game Joshua.

This is a project that I’ve pondered doing myself a number of times but this kit is 100 times better than I would have been able to pull off.

First time venturing into surface mount for more than a diode, it required a few reworks on pin traces (my fault) but in the end worked great. Simple and forgiving!

Only thought is I wish there was a better way to get the defcon 1-5 indicators to stay in place, I may use a dab of hot glue one day if I think of it.

Nicholas | April 18, 2021

WOPR

Great kit, sits on top of my restored missile command arcade game. No issues getting together or setting it up.

Will | Feb. 9, 2021

Awesome unique kit!

This is a perfect kit for anyone who watched Wargames too many times on cable television growing up. The surface mounted components were a bit rough to solder onto the PCB for a less experienced individual like myself, but Seon (the seller) was very responsive when I ran into a challenge. Shipping from Australia to the US was surprisingly efficient.

I.E. | Oct. 26, 2020

Nice kit

The kit was very well packaged.
Build instructions are ok, it is a glossy A4 with detailed views.

Programming instructions are missing and needed search howto setup the ESP32 branch TinyPico.
A link on the build instructions would have done the trick.

I am not a ESP32 fanboy but must admit the TinyPico does run very well.
No spontaneous resets or hangs have occurred during past the weeks.

Emanuel | Aug. 28, 2020

Follow the video and don't be afraid to ask questions!

If you follow the video then you'll probably have a great end result. Just a few observations that may help - 1 use non-magnetic tweezers. I started with very fine tipped metal tweezers and some SMD components just would not let go during placement. Either straight or curved ceramic tipped tweezers worked very well. Just don't squeeze too hard else the part may go flying off in a random direction, never to be found again amonst the crumbs/fur balls/ whatever. 2. The first tack of soler for each SMD part needs to be very small (so use very fine solder). If your hands are steady then a slight downward pressure from the tweezers as that first tack point is reheated will help seat the parts (a big blob of solder will make it a little more difficult for the part to seat down). 3. The RGB LEDs on the first version PCB may only be very lightly bonded to the underlying tracks. Too much handling of the board and they may break away. I managed to reflow 3 out of 5 but 2 remained non-working. 4. To the great credit of the designer, replacements were very quickly and happily provided - so don't be shy in coming forward if you have problem, Whether it's a replacement or some advice, I'm sure Seon will do all that can be done to get you up and running.
No hesitation in recommending this item with just one caveat - make sure you have some tools suitable for a little fine work. A magnifying headset was a great aid too for some of those elusive microscopic parts :).

Tristan | Aug. 10, 2020

Very Cool

After seeing this on YouTube I had to have one and it didn't disappoint. This turned out to be a fun and easy to kit to build. The diagram is clear and the 0805 components are fairly easy to solder as long as you have a pair of fine tweezers. I did have the same issue as one of the other reviewers. One of the pre-soldered LEDs for the DEFCON indicators broke off as I was cleaning the flux off the board. Fortunately I have a hot air station and was able to reattach it without damage by masking the surrounding plastic components with foil and kapton tape and carefully heating the area from the other side of the PCB with the hot air set to 260C. It worked fine afterwards. I don't think it would be possible to solder the LEDs with a soldering iron without melting them. So a degree of caution in handling is advisable in order to not make the same mistake.

I'm really looking forward to playing with the firmware and this seems like a good project for learning more about the ESP32. Thanks for creating this kit.

Evan | Aug. 7, 2020

Lovely kit

This was a really fun build! Documentation was clear and assembly straightforward. I have plans to 3D print a larger enclosure to more closely map the movie version.

If there's a revision 2, I'd suggest replacing the SMD LEDs used for the Defcon indicators. One of them popped off the board after a slight bump, and getting it back on without a hot air station wasn't really doable (had some fun trying though). I'm making my own case anyway and it'll be simple enough to wire some spare nanopixels directly to the TinyPICO. For others, handle with care if you don't have a rework station handy!

Alex | Aug. 6, 2020

Amazing WOPR clock, best one on the market!

Fairly easy kit to put together, remember it is surface mount, so flux is your friend and take you time.

The finish product looks spectacular, and makes a great desk piece.

The source code is easy to extend, so you can add the features you want to see as part of the clock/launch system.

Highly recommend the W.O.P.R. as well as Unexpected Marker in general.

Barry | June 11, 2020

Amazing

I absolutely love my WOPR Clock. It’s a well made and documented kit.

This was the first time I’ve soldered SMDs. I was apprehensive but wanted the WOPR clock so bad. I had some issues due to a lack of soldering skills on my part. Seon gave great support, helping me to diagnose and resolve my issues. My clock now takes pride of place on my desk.

I had an issue with shipping as I’m in the UK and my purchase happened during the coronavirus epidemic. It took two months to get here via Sendle, after getting lost for a month. I don’t blame Seon, who provided regular and honest communication throughout.
I think I was just unlucky with timing. He does now also offer additional shipping options for those who are happy to pay a bit more to have it sooner, which is a great addition..

I would recommend both the clock and unexpected Maker.

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