Switch Accessible Pinball - Coming Soon!
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Friday, 25 May 2007 8:40 pm.
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Coming soon: Switch Accessible Pinball for one or two switch play.Labels: adapted games machine, one-switch games, shop, switch toys
The Dreamcast Junkyard blog has an interesting post (if you're as geeky as I am) on how Virtua Tennis can be played using a fishing controller in a very similar way to Wii Tennis.Many Dreamcast games can already be played using switches and sensors using an adapted Namco Arcade Stick with Dreamcast adapter. It's such a fantastic console, that I seriously recommend that people try it out for themselves. Not much in the way of one-switch games, beyond the mini-game of Darts in Shenmue and Shenmue II but great for team play sharing controls.
Via: UK:Resistance
Labels: controllers
Another excellent article has appeared at Gamasutra, this time by Eelke Folmer, also an IGDA Game Accessibility Special Interest Group member. His well written article is aimed at all game developers. It explains why their games should feature more accessibility features, and how these can benefit us all.
Of great interest and long-term use for all game devlopers is the creation of the "HelpYouPlay" web-site which complements this article. The site gives a very clear break down of what features can help and how. Important work. Nice one.
Edit 14.9.2012: Sadly Help You Play is no more, but the brilliant info is happily archived at the Way Back Machine.
Edit 14.9.2012: Sadly Help You Play is no more, but the brilliant info is happily archived at the Way Back Machine.
Labels: Access Guides, Campaigning, Game Accessibility Guidelines, new games
EA Air Hockey: Designing A One-Button Mobile Game
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Sunday, 13 May 2007 1:48 pm.
3 Comments
"This article covers the design and development process of a shipping one-button mobile game - EA Air Hockey, which was released in the first half of 2006."You can play an on-line trial version for free at EA mobile USA.
via: OddBob at RetroRemakes Accessibility Angle forum.
Labels: one-switch games
Accessible Gaming Shop - head controllers in
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Saturday, 12 May 2007 12:16 am.
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The Accessible Gaming Shop is nearly finished after the addition of a Head Controllers section. Not long now...
Labels: Game Accessibility Shop, head trackers
Chirality is a retro style one-switch game just updated with some nice polished accessibility features from Dream Codex. Use SPACE or LEFT MOUSE CLICK to play.Features include: A "PEACE mode" for gamers with slower reactions; A variety of difficulty levels; Full sound options; Simple controls.
Labels: games charity, one-switch games
Dream Technology are a new company specialising in head-controlled Radio Controlled Cars. Whilst wearing a "Dream-Racer" baseball cap, users can control their car (and in the future boats and more no doubt) by tilting their head in up to 8 directions. There's also talk of fitting the electonics into a shoe or glove to suit the user best.It's a natty idea, and one that I hope does well. Of interest Accessible Gaming wise is their Dream-Gamer work on making this device compatible with games consoles.
via: BBC.co.uk and RetroRemakes forum
Labels: adapted games machine, controllers, head trackers, switch toys
Accessible Gaming Shop - software section added
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Sunday, 6 May 2007 6:19 pm.
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A software section has been added to my fledgling Game Accessibility Shop covering accessible games and utilities. The utilities include CPU Killers that enable many games that are too quick to be slowed down, and a number of controller aids and emulators.
Labels: Game Accessibility Shop, shop
Terrestrial Invaders - Universally Accessible Game
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Friday, 4 May 2007 3:51 pm.
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Terrestrial Invaders is UA-Game's antidote to the impossibly inaccessible 'Game Over'. This time, the game has been made highly accessible to a broad range of gamers out there. Fantastic job.Labels: Campaigning, new games, one-switch games
After reading in a TLWMSN post of Japanese technology staff using a kids' Playstation controller as an accessible controller, I decided to buy one. It's now up for sale in the OneSwitch shop at £40 including a USB adapter.These controllers were originally for use with the Sony PSone for kids in Japan. However, as with all Playstation controllers, they can be adapted to connect to PCs via the USB port. Could be useful for someone out there, especially if using JoyToKey with it.
As a side note... I tracked down a site called Hirau Potter Net (great name!) - which has quite a few interesting electronics hack projects to look through. Added this to my D.I.Y. links.
"SpecialEffect is a charitable organisation dedicated to helping ALL young people with disabilities to enjoy computer games. For these children, the majority of computer games are simply too quick or too difficult to play, and we can help them and their parents to find out which games they CAN play, and how to adapt those games that they can't.Over the last three years we’ve been gathering information for the SpecialEffect GameBase about a huge range of computer games and leisure software. We've been finding out if and how each game can be played using access technology like switches, headpointers and adapted keyboards. Success with using this technology for games and leisure can lead to huge gains in self-confidence and motivation.
Perhaps most importantly of all, it can provide a way for young people with disabilities to socialise and compete with others on a level playing field. For more information about SpecialEffect, email info@specialeffect.org.uk or contact us by telephone on 01608 811909 or 0791 807 7177."
It's a great project that needs game reviewers to join up and start writing. Be honest, and help others to find excellent games and avoid shabby inaccessible ones. See you there?
Labels: Campaigning, education, new games, one-switch games
Video Games - Access for All (KQED.org video)
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Wednesday, 2 May 2007 6:04 pm.
1 Comments
"Can someone who's quadriplegic or hearing impaired play a video game? QUEST TV takes you to the international Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, where a group of gamers used colorful tactics to convince mainstream developers to make video games accessible for everyone."
Via: KQED.org
Labels: Campaigning, video
