The Holy Grail of Controller Accessibility? Something that enables a person to use their own choice of input method to access anything computer based. That's a long way off.
Meanwhile, two devices have come to my attention that look like a good stepping stone to this. The XIM3 and Cronus devices. Both of these allow you to connect a range of controllers to different gaming platforms.
What I and others have hoped for, for a long time, is for PC based control over a games console. It seems that both of these devices can do this to some extent (reading the AbleGamers review and from reading the Cronus forum).
I'm hoping that fully reconfigurable controls may be possible. I'm hoping that head-trackers and other alternative access controls can be used on a console alongside PC assistant utilities such as dwell-clickers. We'll see. I know Bill Donegan at SpecialEffect is due to get a Cronus soon, so it will be good to learn how well it works out there.
I'm also hopeful that there'll be a way to reduce controls via software assist modes, and also perhaps a way to get eye-gaze control working effectively on consoles via video mixing technology. If this doesn't turn out as well as it might, I've still great hopes for the work over at HMS Projects.
Thanks to Steve Spohn of AbleGamers for the XIM3 link. Devices added to the adapters page of the Accessible Gaming Shop.
Two really encouraging stories on brain control: Neurovigil's EEG iBrain research with Stephen Hawkings and fMRI typing.
Presently, communicating and playing games with brain technology that doesn't require surgery is far from easy. Something portable, fast and switch like in power has been elusive too. Maybe one-switch games will become an essential training tool for people with locked in syndrome. Maybe things are going to get better sooner rather than later.
Thanks to Techni Myoko for the fMRI typing link.
The function of this symbol, when attached to a game or gaming product, is to point people to access related information. This is especially useful for people who often find games too hard or impossible to play.
Imagine... that you have found the symbol and link below on the box (or home-page) of a game you are interested in called "Parkour Heroes". Imagine that you are colour-blind and don't have very quick reactions. Click on the symbol below to see if this game might suit you.
http://tiny.cc/gamebase7
Without being able to quickly find this information, imagine how much more money and time you would waste trying to find a game that suits your particular abilities. Frustrating.
Read more on the pilot use of the Game Accessibility Information symbol at SpecialEffect Accessible GameBase.
Two fantastic videos from AssistiveWare's YouTube channel. I'm not a huge fan of the iPad and won't be until it gets comprehensive support for switch access, but this I love.For switch users access is due to be possible for Proloquo2Go via the Tecla Shield switch interface.
Inspired by the up and coming London 2012 Olympics, and a fascinating missed opportunity linked to Atari in the 1980s, SpecialEffect are looking to bring an accessible video game olympics to all: GameBase Video Olympicks.
They plan to review and point people to some of the best accessible games that will feature in the Olympics. There will be one-switch games, audiogames, mind-controlled games, point and click games and more.
Read more over at SpecialEffect's Accessible GameBase. Please do get in touch if you have any games you think should make the list.
