Arduino Virtual Pet Game – OLED Interactive Project | MakeMindz

🎮 Summer Class Project

Arduino Virtual Pet Game
on OLED Display

Build a Tamagotchi-style digital pet using Arduino Uno + SSD1306 OLED in the free Wokwi simulator — no hardware needed!

▶ Run Simulation 📋 Get the Code

SSD1306 OLED

😊

🍎 Feed

🎮 Play

💤 Sleep

Arduino Uno Age: 12

Overview

What You'll Build

A fully interactive digital pet that lives on a tiny OLED screen — feed it, play with it, let it sleep!

⏱️

~30

Minutes to build

⭐

Easy

Difficulty level

🖥️

Free

Wokwi simulator

🎓

STEM

Class project

💡

No hardware needed! This project runs completely inside the free Wokwi browser simulator. Perfect for online summer classes.

Components

What You Need

All parts are available virtually inside Wokwi — nothing to buy!

Arduino Uno R3

SSD1306 OLED 128×64 (I2C)

Push Button × 3 (Feed, Play, Sleep)

Passive Buzzer

Wokwi Browser Simulator

USB Cable (for real hardware)

Wiring

Pin Connections

Connect the OLED via I2C, buttons to digital pins, and the buzzer to Pin 8.

OLED SDA

I2C Data line

OLED SCL

I2C Clock line

Feed Button

INPUT_PULLUP, green

Play Button

INPUT_PULLUP, blue

Sleep Button

INPUT_PULLUP, yellow

Buzzer (+)

Sound output

🔌

Full Connection Table

From	To (Arduino)	Wire Color
OLED GND	GND	⬛ Black
OLED VCC	5V	🔴 Red
OLED SDA	A4	🔵 Blue
OLED SCL	A5	🟢 Green
Button 1 (Feed) Pin 1	Pin 2	🟢 Green
Button 1 (Feed) Pin 2	GND	⬛ Black
Button 2 (Play) Pin 1	Pin 3	🔵 Blue
Button 2 (Play) Pin 2	GND	⬛ Black
Button 3 (Sleep) Pin 1	Pin 4	🟡 Yellow
Button 3 (Sleep) Pin 2	GND	⬛ Black
Buzzer (+)	Pin 8	🔴 Red
Buzzer (–)	GND	⬛ Black

Instructions

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to get your virtual pet running in minutes.

Open Wokwi in your browser

Go to wokwi.com and click "New Project" → Arduino Uno. No account needed to try it!
Add components to the diagram

Click the blue + button to add: SSD1306 OLED, three Push Buttons, and one Buzzer. Alternatively, paste the diagram.json below directly — it auto-places everything.
Paste the diagram.json

Click the diagram.json tab in Wokwi and replace its content with the JSON code from the Diagram JSON section below. This sets up all wiring automatically.
Add the Arduino libraries

In Wokwi, click Libraries (book icon) and search for Adafruit GFX and Adafruit SSD1306. Add both.

ℹ️
In Wokwi these libraries are pre-installed — just make sure the #include lines are at the top of your sketch.
Paste the Arduino code

Open the sketch.ino tab and paste the full code from the Code section below. Replace any existing code completely.
Click the green Play ▶ button

Hit the green ▶ Start Simulation button. You'll see the OLED light up with "Virtual Pet!" and hear the startup melody. Your pet is alive!

✅
Expected output: OLED shows the welcome screen for 2 seconds, then the pet face with bouncing animation and live status bars.
Interact with the buttons

Click the green button to feed, blue to play, yellow to sleep. Watch the pet's face and status bars react in real time. If you ignore it too long — it will die! 💀
Open the Serial Monitor (optional)

Click the Serial Monitor tab in Wokwi to see live stat values printed every 5 seconds: Hunger, Happiness, and Energy numbers.

Source Code

Arduino Sketch

Copy and paste this entire code into your Wokwi sketch.ino file.

sketch.ino — Arduino C++

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>

#define SCREEN_WIDTH  128
#define SCREEN_HEIGHT 64
#define OLED_RESET    -1

Adafruit_SSD1306 display(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT, &Wire, OLED_RESET);

// Button pins
const int BTN_FEED  = 2;
const int BTN_PLAY  = 3;
const int BTN_SLEEP = 4;

// Buzzer pin
const int BUZZER = 8;

// Pet stats (0–100)
int hunger    = 50;   // higher = more hungry
int happiness = 70;
int energy    = 80;
int age       = 0;

// Animation
int           frame      = 0;
unsigned long lastUpdate = 0;
unsigned long lastAnim   = 0;

// ─────────────── SETUP ───────────────
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);

  pinMode(BTN_FEED,  INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BTN_PLAY,  INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BTN_SLEEP, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);

  if (!display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C)) {
    Serial.println("Display failed!");
    for (;;);
  }

  display.clearDisplay();
  display.setTextColor(SSD1306_WHITE);

  // Welcome screen
  playStartupSound();
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.setCursor(10, 20);
  display.println("Virtual");
  display.setCursor(25, 40);
  display.println("Pet!");
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
}

// ─────────────── LOOP ────────────────
void loop() {
  unsigned long now = millis();

  // Decay stats every 5 seconds
  if (now - lastUpdate > 5000) {
    hunger    = min(100, hunger    + 3);
    happiness = max(0,   happiness - 2);
    energy    = max(0,   energy    - 2);
    age++;
    lastUpdate = now;

    if (hunger > 80 || happiness < 20 || energy < 20)
      playWarningSound();

    Serial.print("Hunger:"); Serial.print(hunger);
    Serial.print(" Happy:"); Serial.print(happiness);
    Serial.print(" Energy:"); Serial.println(energy);
  }

  // Bounce animation frame
  if (now - lastAnim > 500) {
    frame = (frame + 1) % 2;
    lastAnim = now;
  }

  // ── Button checks ──
  if (digitalRead(BTN_FEED) == LOW) {
    hunger    = max(0,   hunger    - 30);
    happiness = min(100, happiness + 5);
    playEatSound();
    showMessage("Fed!");
    delay(500);
  }

  if (digitalRead(BTN_PLAY) == LOW) {
    if (energy > 20) {
      happiness = min(100, happiness + 20);
      energy    = max(0,   energy    - 15);
      playHappySound();
      showMessage("Fun!");
    } else {
      playSadSound();
      showMessage("Too tired!");
    }
    delay(500);
  }

  if (digitalRead(BTN_SLEEP) == LOW) {
    energy = min(100, energy + 40);
    playSleepSound();
    showMessage("Zzz...");
    delay(1000);
  }

  // ── Draw ──
  display.clearDisplay();
  if (hunger >= 100 || happiness <= 0) {
    playDeathSound();
    drawDead();
  } else {
    drawPet();
    drawStats();
    drawButtons();
  }
  display.display();
  delay(100);
}

// ════════════ SOUND FUNCTIONS ════════════

void playStartupSound() {
  tone(BUZZER, 523, 150); delay(150);  // C
  tone(BUZZER, 659, 150); delay(150);  // E
  tone(BUZZER, 784, 200); delay(200);  // G
}
void playEatSound() {
  tone(BUZZER, 400, 100); delay(120);
  tone(BUZZER, 500, 100); delay(120);
  tone(BUZZER, 600, 100); delay(120);
}
void playHappySound() {
  tone(BUZZER,  800, 100); delay(120);
  tone(BUZZER, 1000, 100); delay(120);
  tone(BUZZER, 1200, 150); delay(170);
}
void playSleepSound() {
  tone(BUZZER, 700, 200); delay(220);
  tone(BUZZER, 600, 200); delay(220);
  tone(BUZZER, 500, 300); delay(320);
}
void playSadSound() {
  tone(BUZZER, 400, 200); delay(220);
  tone(BUZZER, 300, 300); delay(320);
}
void playWarningSound() {
  tone(BUZZER, 800, 100); delay(150);
  tone(BUZZER, 800, 100); delay(150);
}
void playDeathSound() {
  static bool played = false;
  if (!played) {
    tone(BUZZER, 500, 300); delay(320);
    tone(BUZZER, 400, 300); delay(320);
    tone(BUZZER, 300, 500); delay(520);
    played = true;
  }
}

// ════════════ DRAWING FUNCTIONS ════════════

void drawPet() {
  int x = 64, y = 30;
  display.fillCircle(x, y, 12, SSD1306_WHITE);  // Body

  if (hunger > 70) {                              // Hungry
    display.fillCircle(x-4, y-2, 2, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.fillCircle(x+4, y-2, 2, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.fillCircle(x,   y+4, 3, SSD1306_BLACK);
  } else if (energy < 30) {                       // Tired
    display.drawLine(x-5,y-2, x-2,y-2, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawLine(x+2,y-2, x+5,y-2, SSD1306_BLACK);
    if (frame == 0) { display.setCursor(x+12,y-8); display.print("Z"); }
  } else if (happiness < 40) {                   // Sad
    display.fillCircle(x-4,y-2,2,SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.fillCircle(x+4,y-2,2,SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawLine(x-3,y+6, x,  y+4, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawLine(x,  y+4, x+3,y+6, SSD1306_BLACK);
  } else {                                         // Happy
    display.fillCircle(x-4,y-2,2,SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.fillCircle(x+4,y-2,2,SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawLine(x-5,y+3, x-2,y+5, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawLine(x-2,y+5, x+2,y+5, SSD1306_BLACK);
    display.drawLine(x+2,y+5, x+5,y+3, SSD1306_BLACK);
    if (frame == 0) y -= 2;  // Bounce
  }

  display.fillCircle(x-8, y+13, 3, SSD1306_WHITE);  // Feet
  display.fillCircle(x+8, y+13, 3, SSD1306_WHITE);
}

void drawStats() {
  display.setTextSize(1);
  // Hunger bar (inverted)
  display.setCursor(0,0); display.print("H:");
  int h = map(100-hunger, 0,100, 0,20);
  display.drawRect(12,0,22,6,SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.fillRect(13,1,h,4,SSD1306_WHITE);
  // Happiness bar
  display.setCursor(38,0); display.print("E:");
  int e = map(happiness, 0,100, 0,20);
  display.drawRect(50,0,22,6,SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.fillRect(51,1,e,4,SSD1306_WHITE);
  // Energy bar
  display.setCursor(76,0); display.print("T:");
  int t = map(energy, 0,100, 0,20);
  display.drawRect(88,0,22,6,SSD1306_WHITE);
  display.fillRect(89,1,t,4,SSD1306_WHITE);
  // Age
  display.setCursor(114,0); display.print(age);
}

void drawButtons() {
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setCursor(0,  56); display.print("Feed");
  display.setCursor(44, 56); display.print("Play");
  display.setCursor(88, 56); display.print("Sleep");
}

void drawDead() {
  display.setTextSize(2); display.setCursor(20,15);
  display.println("R.I.P.");
  display.setTextSize(1); display.setCursor(10,35);
  display.println("Pet has died");
  display.setCursor(5,50);
  display.println("Reset to restart");
}

void showMessage(const char* msg) {
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.setCursor(20,25);
  display.println(msg);
  display.display();
}

Diagram JSON

Wokwi diagram.json

Paste this into the diagram.json tab in Wokwi to auto-wire all components.

diagram.json

{
  "version": 1,
  "author":  "Wokwi",
  "editor":  "wokwi",
  "parts": [
    { "type": "wokwi-arduino-uno",  "id": "uno",    "top": 0,    "left": 0,    "attrs": {} },
    { "type": "wokwi-ssd1306",       "id": "oled",  "top": -100, "left": 100,  "attrs": {} },
    { "type": "wokwi-pushbutton",    "id": "btn1", "top": 150,  "left": -50, "attrs": { "color": "green"  } },
    { "type": "wokwi-pushbutton",    "id": "btn2", "top": 150,  "left": 20,  "attrs": { "color": "blue"   } },
    { "type": "wokwi-pushbutton",    "id": "btn3", "top": 150,  "left": 90,  "attrs": { "color": "yellow" } },
    { "type": "wokwi-buzzer",        "id": "buz",   "top": 100,  "left": -100, "attrs": {} }
  ],
  "connections": [
    [ "oled:GND", "uno:GND.1", "black",  ["v0"] ],
    [ "oled:VCC", "uno:5V",    "red",    ["v0"] ],
    [ "oled:SDA", "uno:A4",    "blue",   ["v0"] ],
    [ "oled:SCL", "uno:A5",    "green",  ["v0"] ],
    [ "btn1:1.l", "uno:2",     "green",  ["v0"] ],
    [ "btn1:2.l", "uno:GND.2", "black",  ["v0"] ],
    [ "btn2:1.l", "uno:3",     "blue",   ["v0"] ],
    [ "btn2:2.l", "uno:GND.2", "black",  ["v0"] ],
    [ "btn3:1.l", "uno:4",     "yellow", ["v0"] ],
    [ "btn3:2.l", "uno:GND.2", "black",  ["v0"] ],
    [ "buz:1",    "uno:8",     "red",    ["v0"] ],
    [ "buz:2",    "uno:GND.3", "black",  ["v0"] ]
  ]
}

Explanation

How It Works

The pet has 4 live stats that change every 5 seconds — and you must keep them healthy!

🍔

Hunger

Rises over time (bad!)

😊

Happiness

Falls over time

⚡

Energy

Falls over time

🎂

Age

Counts every 5 sec

🍎 Feed Button — Pin 2 (Green)

Reduces hunger, slightly boosts happiness. Use this when hunger bar is getting full.

↓ Hunger −30 ↑ Happiness +5

🎮 Play Button — Pin 3 (Blue)

Boosts happiness significantly but drains energy. Won't work if energy ≤ 20.

↑ Happiness +20 ↓ Energy −15

💤 Sleep Button — Pin 4 (Yellow)

Restores energy quickly. Use when the pet is tired — you'll see "Z" floating above it.

↑ Energy +40

⚠️

Game Over condition: If Hunger reaches 100 or Happiness drops to 0, the R.I.P. screen appears. Hit the reset button in Wokwi to restart.

Audio

Sound Effects

The buzzer on Pin 8 plays different tone sequences for each event.

🎵 Startup melody (C–E–G)

🍎 Eating sound (ascending)

😄 Happy tone (high pitch)

💤 Sleep melody (descending)

😢 Sad / tired sound

⚠️ Warning double beep

💀 Death sound (plays once)

Education

What You'll Learn

This project teaches core embedded systems concepts in a fun, hands-on way.

✓OLED display interfacing with Arduino

✓I2C communication basics (SDA / SCL)

✓Push button input with INPUT_PULLUP

✓Variables and conditional statements

✓State-based programming logic

✓Real-time updates using millis()

✓Basic embedded game development

✓Buzzer tone() sound generation

ROBOTICS

Search This Blog

Arduino Virtual Pet using Arduino Uno – OLED Interactive Game in Wokwi

Arduino Virtual Pet Game
on OLED Display

What You'll Build

What You Need

Pin Connections

Full Connection Table

Step-by-Step Guide

Open Wokwi in your browser

Add components to the diagram

Paste the diagram.json

Add the Arduino libraries

Paste the Arduino code

Click the green Play ▶ button

Interact with the buttons

Open the Serial Monitor (optional)

🚀 Try the Live Simulation

Arduino Sketch

Wokwi diagram.json

How It Works

Sound Effects

What You'll Learn

Comments

Post a Comment

try for free

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Arduino Virtual Pet using Arduino Uno – OLED Interactive Game in Wokwi

Arduino Virtual Pet Gameon OLED Display

What You'll Build

What You Need

Pin Connections

Full Connection Table

Step-by-Step Guide

Open Wokwi in your browser

Add components to the diagram

Paste the diagram.json

Add the Arduino libraries

Paste the Arduino code

Click the green Play ▶ button

Interact with the buttons

Open the Serial Monitor (optional)

🚀 Try the Live Simulation

Arduino Sketch

Wokwi diagram.json

How It Works

Sound Effects

What You'll Learn

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Comments

Post a Comment

try for free

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Arduino Virtual Pet Game
on OLED Display