Labels: Halloween
AbleGamers and Ouch! - Spruce Up
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Sunday, 26 October 2008 11:44 am.
2 Comments
AbleGamers and the BBC's Ouch! have both received a big makeover just recently. I particularly like AbleGamers new logo, and also the new web-accessibility features at Ouch. Unfortunately with the Ouch spruce up - the Ouch Guide to Switch Gaming has gone. Perhaps I can pursuade them to reinstate it. Either way - both are well worth some of your time.
With Halloween fast approaching - here's a rough-as-you-like top five one-switch assisted spooky activities...1. Resident Evil - One Switch to shoot - with a helper taking care of the rest.
2. Zoltar - Fortune Telling.
3. The Boat Man - disturbing game where you send souls to heaven or hell.
4. Eat!?
5. Remote Control Crawling Hand.
Labels: Halloween
My all time favourite game, Shenmue. Fantastic escapism (and even features an addictive one-switch Darts game). One day more games will be made on this scale - and one day - they'll be made more accessible too.
The Other Man On The Podium
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Saturday, 18 October 2008 8:54 am.
1 Comments
Maze Muncher - one-switch or mouse controlled
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Wednesday, 15 October 2008 1:10 pm.
5 Comments
Graeme's Free Games presently features some highly accessible versions of Namco's all-time classic Pac-Man. All feature the option to reduce the number of ghosts as well as giving the facility to adjust the speed of the ghosts and your Pac-Man independently.
There's a really well thought out one-switch version that features the best solution I've seen yet to navigating a maze at speed. A mouse compatible version offers a way to play for head-tracker, eye-tracker and other users too. This too offers a really well thought out solution.
For those wanting to play the exact same version that Namco released in the arcades back in 1980/81 - take a look at 4Noah for a potential solution: One-Switch Pac-Man - Mouse controlled Pac-Man.
There's a really well thought out one-switch version that features the best solution I've seen yet to navigating a maze at speed. A mouse compatible version offers a way to play for head-tracker, eye-tracker and other users too. This too offers a really well thought out solution.
For those wanting to play the exact same version that Namco released in the arcades back in 1980/81 - take a look at 4Noah for a potential solution: One-Switch Pac-Man - Mouse controlled Pac-Man.
Added to: OneSwitch Arcade Games Download page.
Labels: eye trackers, head trackers, one-switch games, PC
10-pin Bowling has long been a game people have sought to make more accessible, since the advent of gutter-bumpers and ramps. In 1997-1999 I developed a couple of "Switch Accessible Bowling Ball Kickers". These consisted of the workings of a battery powered golf putting aid housed within a wooden box that postitioned any bowling ball close to the point of balance linked up to a switch socket.Aiming required a helper who would slowly move the angle of the bowling ramp from left to right continuously, stopping the moment the player hits their switch.
I always wanted to develop this idea further to reach more people, but I've never got around to it. If anyone is interested in building their own (cost me around £15 to do) please get in touch. Since that time I've discovered some great alternatives:
IKAN Bowler, POSS-I-BALL 2000, Pin-Seeker, the Empowering Wheelchair Users! Blog and some great videos over at RNT including this slightly terrifying one!
Labels: accessible sport, bowling, D.I.Y. assistive technology guides, switch toys
"The SwitchedOn Games manifesto:- Develop games that are graphically and technically of a standard on a par with current commercial releases, but that are designed to be controled by people who, through physical disability and/or learning dificulties, find current mainstream games inaccessible.
- To work with like-minded groups, organizations, charities and individuals who care about similar issues, and who can help contribute to funding, fundraising, development, testing etc.
- To emphasise GAMES ! We're not ignoring the need for educational software but our focus is on recreation - the social importance of having fun !
- To help develop methods of input - in both hardware and software - to allow anyone of any age or ability to enjoy our games. "
"Never underestimate the importance of having fun." - RANDY PAUSCH (1960-2008)
Labels: bowling, new games, one-switch games, PC
Let's Tap - Nintendo Wii One-Switch Game
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Saturday, 11 October 2008 2:26 pm.
0 Comments
Let's Tap is a compilation of games and sensory activities made accessible on the Nintendo Wii by just tapping a box that a Wii-remote sits on. Some of the games are quite high-paced to look at, but the "visualizer" effects which include fire-work displays, art and a fish pond look potentially accessible to just about everyone.Can't wait to get hold of this game to see if a switch can be connected somehow via a simple hacked Wii-remote. Might be that it will work sitting next to any kind of switch that makes a clicking noise when you press it anyway. We'll see.
Meanwhile - a couple of YouTube videos here and here and photos at IGN.
Via: SEGA/PROPE.
Labels: Art, one-switch games, Sensory, Wii
After catching more on Lumisonic, an audio-spectrum-analyser aimed at deaf people, whilst watching a bit of See Hear I decided to post a link. It's a system that is intended to be a more meaningful way for deaf people to experiment with sounds that they can make themselves.It runs on a Mac or Windows computers using a microphone, and can even be hooked up to a Wii remote with blue-tooth connection. When the user vocalises, concentric circles appear on-screen, closely related to the sounds expanding and contracting.
Looks like a very fun sensory activity for anyone. Free download available via the Sonic Arts Network with links to BBC Videos too.
Namco have brought one of my all time favourite one-switch games to the iPod. Sadly - not my iPod (too old) but good to see this fun game get a wider release. Well worth a punt for £3.99 if you have an iPod that fits the bill. One day this will see it's way onto a PC or a games console for proper one-switch accessibility.Via: iLounge
Labels: one-switch games
Switch Accessible MP3 Players
Published by OneSwitch.org.uk Saturday, 4 October 2008 6:28 pm.
4 Comments
Inclusive are presently knocking out a nice little switch accessible MP3 player. For alternatives take a look at RJ Cooper's "MP3 Player-Drive" (looks a little delicate though I have to say) and his chunky iPod remote. Another option would be Technical Solutions "iScan-MP3" iPod interface.Fancy a D.I.Y. method - well of course it would be easy to get a switch interface operating the likes of iTunes or the free Single Switch Media Player to play MP3 songs and CDs. What about hacking a JoyPad to play tunes on a PS3 or Xbox 360? You could go the whole hog and build a C-SID if you're feeling brave.
Labels: switch music player
