Saturday, 28 August 2010
Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll
Cambodian musicians crafted this sound from the various rock music styles sweeping across America and England, adding the unique melodies and hypnotic rhythms of their traditional music. The beautiful singing of the renowned female vocalists became the final touch that made this mix so enticing.
As the peasant Khmer Rouge army closed in on the capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodian rock and rollers played at rooftop parties while bombs ignited the evening sky.
After taking over the country on April 17, 1975, the Khmer Rouge began one of the most brutal genocides in history, killing 2 million people - 1/4 of the Cambodian population. Intellectuals, artists and musicians were murdered simply for their status. Only a few miraculously survived to tell their story.
This documentary film, DON’T THINK I’VE FORGOTTEN, provides a new perspective on a country usually associated with war and genocide. By celebrating this powerful music, and the people who created it, Cambodia's musical heyday emerges from the shadows of tragedy into the light of history."
Taken from CambodianRock.com. I've found this music fascinating since first hearing it in City of Ghosts. Thought I'd share it with you.
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Wheelchair Bungee
Switch Accessible Guitar Heroes
Alternatives to this come from RJ Cooper or going the D.I.Y. route as followed by the kit used at AbleGames 2009. Rock Band is also a possible alternative for D.I.Y. hacks, although as of yet, it's not so good for one-switch players, lacking Guitar Hero's one-button playable mode.
UPDATE: Enabling Devices have uploaded another short video, where a user named Ben, is interviewed about his experience using the adapted Guitar Hero set-up.
What's really rubbish about both Guitar Hero and Rock Band is that they force you to use their dedicated lumpy controllers. Why not allow people to use the Joypad if they want to? Especially as this flexibility opens up a massive range of alternative access controllers that people might already have paid out for.
Added to the Accessible Gaming Shop section on Console Switch Interfaces.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Monday, 23 August 2010
One Switch Bowling: Switch Lanes
Saturday, 21 August 2010
Switch Bowling Ramp
If $449.95 is too much, or if they won't send to your country, you could always build your own. I've built one for about £10 before using a Golf-Putting toy, wood, metal and a lot of time. For more bowling ideas, take a look through the other bowling blog posts here.
Digital Camera with Large Controls
If you fancy creating your own switch accessible camera, take a jump over to this OneSwitch D.I.Y. page.
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Eye Mario System
Waterloo Lab's Eye Mario system allows a person to play any NES video game using eye movements alone. The video above gives a basic overview of how this system works. For a more detailed break-down of how it works, they've also provided an overview document for your eye-balls.
Link via: Thomas Westin on the IGDA GASIG mailing list.
Torch
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Kinect: Milo and what could be...
Avoiding any mean-spirited Charlie Brooker type-comments, that is a pretty fantastic looking game. I haven't been so impressed by a new style of game since I first saw Shenmue demoed in 1999. This said, there's virtually no thought for alternative access I'm guessing, but so much food for thought. Just imagine if you could use the Kinect as an additional accessible controller, alongside your alternative controller of choice. So many possibilities...
Via: TED Talks
Arjo vs. Oxford Hoists = Annoying and Disabling
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Knobz!
Monday, 16 August 2010
Sniff Controlled Wheelchair
Read the rest over at the BBC. Thanks to Mike Taylor at Excitim and Dream-Technology for the link.
Dream-Technology - Switch Modules
Belated add, is mention of their Special-Dream Projects, popped in the Tailor-Made Game Controls section. All very good stuff.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Nathan Fouts says...
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
AbleGames 2010 - Saturday August 21st 2010
AbleGames 2009 was amazing, so I was delighted to learn that AbleGames 2010 will be going ahead later this month. I'll let Assistive Technology Partners do the sales pitch...
"Gear Up and Get Your Game On!
Assistive Technology Partner’s invites children 3 - 18 years of age with disabilities and their families to this second annual event. AbleGames provides a fun environment for children with disabilities to play adapted computer, Wii and other kid-friendly games. Participants can enjoy a Wii racing game using a controller adapted to allow participation using only head movements. There will be a wide variety of switch accessible computer and pinball games including basketball and horse racing. Come and experience the possibilities of what accessible gaming and assistive technology can do to enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities.
Limited Space Available, call now to apply 303-315-1278 - $25/participant (includes T-shirt and lunch) - August 21, 2010 - 10:00am - 2:30pm - Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401"
If I could, I would, and if you can, you should. Have a fantastic day you lot!
AbleGamers on CNN
One Handed Gaming
Hardware Hacker "Hasse" modified a GameCube controller for his disabled brother, so he could play GameCube games on his Wii one-handed. It's a really clever modification, with tilt-sensor and very helpful guide-lights.
There is an alternative solution out there for the lay-person, although it of course will cost more money. Connect one of a range of Playstation 2 one-handed controllers to the Wii/GameCube using an adapter. Simples.
And whilst on the subject, I highly recommend taking a look at Giant Bomb's cross platform list of compatible games for one-handed play.
Monday, 9 August 2010
"Are Wii Being Ignored?"
Image via: David G on the Ouch! Forums
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Falling Down
There's been some excellent posts over at the GameBase lately, including on the 27th International Holiday Camp of the Order of Malta, pure mouse game Dreams and partial one-switch game Zombie Cricket. Feel free to join up and contribute.