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Accessibility Buyer's Guide
During Spike TV’s Video Game Awards, Stevie Wonder surprised the crowd of game developers and journalists with one request: make games that can be enjoyed by people with disabilities. While this may have been the first time some viewers have heard about game accessibility, it is a topic that’s been advocated for years and is slowly gaining recognition. Even though most mainstream games still do not include accessibility features including (but not limited to) color blind modes, closed captioning and reconfigurable controls, there are resources out there that can help. Read on for Game Informer’s Accessibility Buyer’s Guide for some cool gear and resources for gamers of all abilities.
Games
My Football Game
VTree LLC and EA Sports have created a football game accessible to players with physical and developmental disabilities. My Football includes adjustable speed settings and accommodates gameplay based on performance. The game is compatible with Xbox 360 controllers as well as adaptive gaming devices. The game also supports one to two players.
$39.99; www.vtreellc.com
EASe Funhouse
Designed for children with Autism, this game sets players on a treasure hunt across six unique rooms, all of which produce auditory and virtual vestibular stimulation, and encourages the child to participate in fun therapeutic activities. Treasures to be found include word cards, images of human expressions, colors, shapes and more.
$39.00; www.vision-audio.com
Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove
Dire Grove is one of a series of Mystery Case Files titles by Big Fish Games that offer closed captioning for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Dire Grove is a point-and-click adventure game where players solve puzzles to uncover the mystery surrounding the disappearance of four graduate students. The Mystery Case Files franchise at the top of the casual games market with more than 2.5 million units sold to date.
$6.99; www.bigfishgames.com
audiogames.net
This site offers a wealth of audio games for the visually impaired, most of which are free. This includes accessible versions of Snake, Ms. Pac-Man, Battleship and more. These games rely on audio cues for game instructions, feedback and game navigation. This is a great resource for gamers with visual impairments and the legally blind.
Varies; www.audiogames.net
Game Controllers
Dream-Gamer Switch Adapted PlayStation Controllers
These switch-adapted controllers can be used with all PlayStation consoles. The Dream-Gamer line offers different controllers that adapt to a wide range of mobility impairments, such as a baseball cap controller that allows players to control on-screen action with head movements.
$175; www.dream-racer.com
Natural Point’s SmartNav 4: AT Hands-Free Mouse
This hands-free mouse alternative allows complete control of your computer’s cursor simply by moving your head. The system uses an infrared camera to track head movements through a reflective marker (included). You can place this marker on your head or glasses for hands-free navigation. The system offers multiple options for clicking as well. Works well for users with mobility impairments or carpal tunnel syndrome.
$499; www.naturalpoint.com
One-Handed Game Controllers
Ideal for users with a paralyzed hand or limb, temporary injury or carpal tunnel, there are several options out there for one-handed controllers compatible with the original PlayStation and PS2. Controllers are designed with all buttons ergonomically configured in a remote control style ideal for single hand use.
Varies; www.oneswitch.org.uk
Broadened Horizons Sip & Puff Controllers
Compatible with most gaming consoles, the Sip & Puff controller has been designed for users with severe mobility impairments. These controllers have a mouthpiece, which operates as a joystick. Three holes in the mouthpiece are used to trigger six button switches. The controller also has four lip buttons while start and select are triggered by a second mouthpiece mounted on the side. The switches cover all buttons on standard controllers.
$289; www.broadenedhorizons.com
Movies, Books & More
Second Skin
This indie documentary takes a look at three sets of PC gamers whose lives have been positively changed by MMOs. This thought-provoking film includes the stories of two disabled gamers whose outlook on life has changed as they’ve been able to lose themselves in these online worlds and engage in activities that they wouldn’t be able to partake in otherwise. If you don’t play MMOs, this documentary may shed some light on the phenomenon.
$19.99; www.secondskinfilm.com
Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks: An Epic Quest for Reality Among Role Players, Online Gamers, and Other Dwellers of Imaginary Realms
Other than having an incredibly long title, ex-D&D addict Ethan Gilsdorf talks about what it means to be both nerd and outsider, discusses fantasy role-playing games and more in his book that also includes a chapter on accessibility. Follow Gilsdorf as he goes on a “quest in search of other people who are into gaming, Tolkien, people who dress up in costume who run around in the woods with foam rubber swords and wack each other over the head with them…” Fantasy freaks will find something to love here.
$24.95; www.ethangilsdorf.com
Trabasack
The Trabasack is a lap tray with a firm surface to place laptops or alternative controllers on one side. The other side is padded with bean bag material for extra lap comfort. It also doubles as a bag for convenient storage.
$50; www.trabasack.co.uk
Web Resources
General Information
The two sites below are no longer actively updated, but have valuable information archived:
Game Accessibility Website
Game Accessibility SIG
Communities
AbleGamers
Deaf Gamers
Specialty Gaming Web sites
OneSwitch.org
This is just a small sampling of what's available out there. If you have any suggestions for accessible games, books, movies and Web resources, chime in below in our comments section.
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