I am a disabled gamer as well. Maybe as severe as Hans. I have Arthrogryposis which is similar to cerebal paulsey. I can't use the L2 button or the left trigger on the 360 without severe pain. I usually use my mouth or nose to pull th trigger if i need to. As for the Wii? Forget about it. I can't even hold the controller properly. I understand that games and some gamers are moving towards that type of gaming, but it is leaving disabled gamers in the dust.
I adapt the world to fit my needs. I have just graduated with a Bachelor's in Journalism, I run two semi busy sites and write everyday. I also game everyday. I play on HOF and have completed my season. These types of actions by Show developers are leaps and bounds better than anything other developers are offering. I have been contacting developers for years to get help. The community as well at Ablegamers.com have been trying to work with developers for years to no real avail.
In the simplest form, the one thing that would make gaming for the disabled obtainable would be button mapping. Thats it. But developers who fear wrath from competitive gaming leagues such as MLG do not implement this into their games for fear of cheating. They even banned the Razer Onza, a controller for the 360 which allows mapping of two extra shoulder buttons, from MLG. The Onza is a blessing for me since I cant reach the left trigger but could map it to the right-shoulder.
For a game like The Show, button mapping wouldn't really be effective. I speak more in terms of FPS and action games.
Button Mapping would allow gamers with disabilities the option of tailoring the game to fit their needs. What the Show developers are doing is also a HUGE step forward. They realized what I stated above, that button mapping for the game would be ineffective and devised a way to make it accessible.
I have no doubt that the team will make these options perfect, just look at the game. But I would urge Russell or any of the team that are reading this to please spread the word to OTHER development teams to follow suit. DAMN the competitive gaming leagues and their rules. DAMN online multi-player advantages (you can't restrict control sets online? Please). DAMN trending motion controlling. Games are supposed to be an escape from reality. And who better to cherish that escape then people with disabilities. when the games we want to play are like that damn L2, "out-of-reach", it sucks.
You can read all about me at
http://www.wadesxb.com
And check out
http://www.ablegamers.com
And if this post does reach someone of importance, I would love to be ambassador for disabled gamers to developers.
01-25-2011, 07:24 AM
