2026-06-10 –, Demo Theater
PRG32 is an open-source educational platform that teaches RISC-V programming by developing playable 32-bit game cartridges. Inspired by retro-gaming consoles, PRG32 allows students to write small games in RISC-V assembly or C, package them as .prg32 cartridges, and run them on a lightweight runtime targeting RISC-V hardware and emulated environments.
The demo presents the complete PRG32 workflow: writing a simple game, building the cartridge, loading it into the runtime, and executing it as an interactive program with graphics, input, and game logic. By turning low-level programming concepts into tangible, playable outcomes, PRG32 helps students understand registers, memory, control flow, graphics buffers, input handling, compilation, and system interfaces in a practical, engaging way.
The platform is designed for computer architecture, systems programming, and introductory embedded computing courses. It supports both assembly-first and C-based teaching paths, enabling instructors to connect abstract RISC-V concepts with hands-on experimentation. The demo will show how PRG32 can be used in the classroom to make RISC-V programming more accessible, motivating, and fun.
Raffaele Montella is an Associate Professor with tenure in Computer Science
at the Department of Science and Technologies (DiST), University of Naples
“Parthenope” (UNP), Italy.