updated

programs/plinko.lua

@@ -146,9 +146,12 @@ local function buildBoard()
         local startX    = math.floor(PW / 2 - rowW / 2)
         local py        = boardTop + (row - 1) * rowSpacing
         for col = 1, pegsInRow do
+            -- Jitter each peg slightly so the layout is never identical
+            local jx = math.floor((math.random() - 0.5) * colSpacing * 0.35)
+            local jy = math.floor((math.random() - 0.5) * rowSpacing * 0.35)
             table.insert(pegs, {
-                x = startX + (col - 1) * colSpacing,
-                y = py,
+                x = startX + (col - 1) * colSpacing + jx,
+                y = py + jy,
             })
         end
     end
@@ -272,14 +275,23 @@ local function drawBall(bx, by)
 end
 
 local function physicsLoop()
-    -- Random drop X between the leftmost and rightmost peg in the first row.
-    local firstPeg  = pegs[1]
-    local lastFirst = pegs[PEG_COLS_TOP]
-    local dropX = firstPeg.x + math.random() * (lastFirst.x - firstPeg.x)
+    -- Re-randomise peg positions each drop
+    buildBoard()
+    drawBoard()
+    gpu.sync()
+
+    -- Random drop X anywhere across the board width
+    local dropX = boardLeft + math.random() * (boardRight - boardLeft)
     local dropY = boardTop - rowSpacing * 0.6
 
-    local bx, by = dropX, dropY
-    local vx, vy = (math.random() - 0.5) * 40, 60
+    -- Random launch angle: mostly downward but tilted ±35°
+    local launchAngle = (math.pi / 2) + (math.random() - 0.5) * (math.pi / 180 * 70)
+    local launchSpeed = 180 + math.random() * 220   -- px/s
+
+    local bx = dropX
+    local by = dropY
+    local vx = math.cos(launchAngle) * launchSpeed
+    local vy = math.sin(launchAngle) * launchSpeed   -- positive = downward (screen coords)
 
     local lastBx, lastBy = bx, by
     local elapsed  = 0
@@ -514,23 +526,14 @@ local function main()
     while true do
         waitForRedstonePulse()
 
-        -- Erase subtitle, show "dropping"
-        px_text_centre("Pull lever to drop", 46, COL_BG, COL_BG, 1)
-        px_text_centre("  DROPPING...  ",    46, 0xFFD600, COL_BG, 1)
-        gpu.sync()
-        sleep(0.25)
-        px_text_centre("  DROPPING...  ",    46, COL_BG, COL_BG, 1)
-        px_text_centre("Pull lever to drop", 46, 0x607080, COL_BG, 1)
-        gpu.sync()
-
-        -- Run physics — outcome determined by simulation
+        -- Run physics — redraws board with fresh peg positions, then drops
         local winIdx = physicsLoop()
 
         -- Celebrate
         flashBucket(winIdx)
         showResult(buckets[winIdx].mult)
 
-        -- Redraw clean board
+        -- Redraw clean board (fresh pegs already in place from physicsLoop)
         drawBoard()
         gpu.sync()
     end