So right now I'm mainly talking about gamers with mobility limitations (could include a whole range of things) but a lot of these controllers can help those with severe learning disabilities depending on the level of the game and the type of learning disability.
Yes. I am advertising a service but at the same time I'm letting you know about a resource called One Switch by London game enthusiast and SIG member, Barrie Ellis. Not only does he sell accessible gaming solutions in his shop, Barrie has helped the DIY (Do-It Yourself) hobbiest with a DIY page with detailed information and also a blog. But something you really need to look over is his excellent page on physical barriers in video gaming: problems and solutions.
But let's back up. I know. What's all this switch stuff? And why should anyone at TN care about it? I see it as a complement to sites like AbleGamers, places where gamers with mobility disabilities in particular can find out more about accessible gaming peripherals. Many people with mobility disabilities can type using assistive technologies and many more can have a friend remap controls to work with, for example, head gear that controls the cursor and button clicking. For those creating user created content in Second Life, creating a one-switch arcade might attract a large number of mobility disabled SL-ers.
To quote Barrie:
Inaccessible controllers and inaccessible games are the bane of many disabled peoples lives. Many games have too many buttons to remember, are too fast, and have very little help to offer the player at all. Many games won’t allow people to use their favourite controllers, nor change the layout of their controls in a useful way. These barriers cause frustration for many. Games a person might desperately want to play, frequently prove to be an unrewarding, uncomfortable, or impossible challenge in reality. Disabled people regularly facing these barriers are novice gamers, physically disabled gamers, learning disabled gamers and many children up to the age of eight." [Note: Michelle's note -- Club Penguin that Mike Sellers posted about at TN could be a gold mine for children with some disabilities as some switch gaming and motion sensor controllers could work well with such sites]
One-switch games have been the "great new discovery" by the mobile phone game folks as "one-button" games (because really...do you like playing mobile games that use even more than two or three buttons?). Imagine a time in which MMOGs find their way in some capacity (perhaps they do already) to mobile phones -- wouldn't an easier input design be a plus?
Barrie also has links to one-switch accessible games including the excellent Strange Attractors by Ominous Development that was awarded a nomination for Most Innovative by the Independent Games Festival at GDC 2006)
Eric Walker of Ominous Development has this to say about the idea of one switch meaning "easy":
"Strange Attractors was created for a 'One Switch' competition. Just because the only button used by the game is the space bar (and Esc to exit) doesn't mean the gameplay isn't complex and unique. Remember, not everything that is simple is easy!
By pressing the spacebar, you activate the gravity drive of your craft and create an attractive force between yourself and the other objects in the game. Your goal is to sling and bounce yourself from the bottom of the level through the portal at the top.
I have never personally seen anyone play this game and not laugh out loud."
Word on the street? Strange Attractors 2 is on the way!
Strange Attractors 2? That's exciting news...
Regarding MMORPG's becoming one-switch compatible - it would be a stretch of course for many existing games. But something designed from the bottom up to be fully inclusive, that perhaps could be networked to from mobile phones using a one-thumb / one-button interface - could be a lot of fun for many people...
Posted by: Barrie Ellis | May 25, 2007 at 16:02
I've already thought of a pretty good concept for a one-button mobile MMO, over a year ago. Maybe someday I'll be able to make it.
Posted by: axcho | Jun 03, 2007 at 21:43
Good luck with it! Can you tell us more?
Posted by: Barrie Ellis | Jun 08, 2007 at 16:04