D.I.Y. Talking Joystick Mouse

Really nice and pretty simple D.I.Y. guide for an accessible PC USB controller over at Instructables. What was new to me was the freeware utility AutoHotKey being used to make the stick talk, detailed in step 11. This is something that JoyToKey can't do.

Link via Caleb Craft at Hack a Day and added to the OneSwitch D.I.Y section.

Portem

I was recently kindly sent a copy of Portem from Mirrow Games, which is a very rare thing: A free roaming 3D game with a one-switch mode. Rarer still is the "Brain Fingers" mode allowing for brain/face muscle control. See my full review over at the Accessible GameBase.

A few more one-switch games have come my way recently too, that you may like to investigate. In rough order of ease of play: The Cow Jumps Over the Moon and Jack Be Nimble (via TLWMSN Blog); Mine Sweeper-esque Bounty Sweeper and Tron like Trail Blazer; The Flood Runner 2 (via Accessible GameBase).

I must make time too for Graeme Singh's fantastic utility that can make emulated fighting games, such as Tekken and Virtua Fighter one-switch playable.

National Treasure Charlie Brooker

Inclusive Playpark in Exeter

Great to see The Playpark in Exeter go from strength to strength. Just had to share the video above. The new SMP Mirage Revolution looks like a fantastic addition to the park too, and will suit many children who can transfer from their wheelchairs. All towns and cities should have parks like this one.

1969, 1975, 1976: The First One-Switch Games

I could be wrong, I could be right, but the videos above are of what I think are the first ever commercial one-switch playable games. Kee Games/Atari's 1975 Steeplechase coin-op, and Fairchild's 1976 shooting gallery.

First ever one-switch computer game? No idea really, but the earliest I've seen is from the UK in 1969 on the computer nick-named "Nellie" (see top video around 2:38 minutes in). Probably the first audio game too. Ah, the good old days when you had to check the oil levels of your computer(!)

PS3 One Handed Controller Attachment

The 'Biotic Controller' above is a brace for a standard Playstation Dual Shock controller that makes one-handed play a possibility. I've seen a few controllers built in a similar way across the years, but this one is the most professional looking.

Why was it made? "My dad made this attachment so that my brother could aim and throw tactical nades!!" according to the video notes.


See more of this 'Biotic Controller' over at YouTube.

'Skoog Covered with Whistles'

Pretty wonderful updates from the Skoogmusic lab above. You can do so much with a Skoog, they really are fantastic. Can't wait to see the promised one side to play a sequence of musical notes mode.