About this project
Fun for all ages
PlingPong is fun for all ages, it plays in 10-15 minutes and in a variety of settings. Play it standing up or sitting down; on any table, counter or bar that you can bounce a ping pong ball on.
Help make PlingPong a reality
We have worked through the design for PlingPong and 3D Printed our latest prototype for additional testing and game play. We reviewed several package design options and sourced a prototype digitally printed, easy carry box. Our final retail package will have a durable litho printed finish. We priced out both thermoforming and injection molding for production volume manufacturing to find the best fit. Based on many factors, we will be using injection molding for our full scale production. We received competitive bids for the tooling and molding and are now ready to prove our market on Kick Starter. We will use our funding to make our production tooling and manufacture PlingPong in retail ready packaging for our backers.
Background
The initial idea for PlingPong started in February 2016, but we soon realized the challenge of finding the right square cup that could be used for the game. We settled on a colored plastic flower pot to use for the prototype and built tiered wood trays. The first prototype proved the form factor and playability of the game.
CAD Design Evolution
After months of using the game and very positive feedback from family and friends, we decided to take the design to the next level in CAD to work out the details and then 3D Print test parts. The cup and tray design evolved through five versions before settling on the final design. The main issue was creating a cup that would have the right combination of rigidity to cause ricochets, but also be able capture balls and prevent them from bouncing off the bottom of the cup. The patent pending cup ball capture design uses fluted sides to cradle the ball as it enters the cup. This allows the ball to lightly land on the bottom of the cup, without getting wedged in place for easy removal.
What’s in a name?
PlingPong involves both the luck of Plinko and the skill of Ping Pong, so our name evolved from PlinkoPong to PlinkPong to PlingPong
Our logo design from original concept to final design captures the essence of the fun bouncing action of PlingPong!
Game Directions
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4 players (standard)
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Playing Time
PlingPong plays fast, typically 10-15 minutes per game.
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Objective:
Bounce balls into other player’s colored cups to eliminate them.
Avoid the Black cup
Be the last player with cups on the board.
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Setup:
Setup 4 trays in grid layout as shown, with sections interlocking.
Place 6 cups of one color on each section.
Place the Black cup in the middle (always stays on the board).
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Layout:
Each player stands/sits off the corner of their color.
Each player has 2 balls each, 8 balls total.
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Starting:
All players try to bounce one ball into their own color, tied players redo until just one makes it. That player starts, then rotate starting position to the left each round.
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Play:
First player bounces first ball, other players follow in order.
First player bounces second ball, other players follow in order.
After all 8 balls are thrown, the round is over, score per below.
Once players have no cups remaining, they do not throw, but are still in the game (Black cup save).
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Scoring
Any cups with odd number of balls are removed from board.
Any cups with even number of balls remain on board.
Any cups with no balls remain on board.
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Black cup scoring
Players with no cups remaining can get back in the game when a Black cup is scored.
Odd number of balls in Black cup, players who make it lose one of their lowest cups, the other players add a cup on lowest available space (Black cup save).
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Strategy
If first shot is made in your own cup or Black cup, you can cancel by making the second shot in same cup.
If other player makes two in one cup to save themselves, you can be the spoiler by making 3rd ball.
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Winning
The last player with cups remaining on the board wins!
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Other Rule Variations
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2 players
Same as 4 players above, each player gets two colors on one side and has 4 balls each, 8 balls total, shoot 2 balls per turn.
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8 players (4 two player teams)
Same as 4 players above, each player has one ball, shoot one ball each per round.
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Speed Round (2 or 4 players)
Players race to bounce balls into their own colors to eliminate them from the board.
Remove cups as each shot is taken.
First player with all cups gone wins.
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Random Re-Rack
Winning player re-racks the cups in a random pattern of their choice.
Play game per standard scoring above.
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House Rules
Make up your own rules for penalties or tricks required when someone makes a Black Cup Shot. Share your rules on our Social Media Sites!
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Risks and challenges
PlingPong will be manufactured with proven and common injection molding practices, by reputable tool builders and molders. The time frames for tooling, molding and shipping are estimates so some delays may occur.
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Funding period
- (30 days)