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A petition has been issued that encourages game developers and console manufacturers to incorporate custom button mapping for game controls, specifically Zipper, Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. A feature prevalent in PC titles, remappable controls allow players to assign action buttons to specific controller buttons in a way that suits the person's play style.
This petition was created by Chuck Bittner, a gamer who is quadriplegic. The appeal states:
"This is a request for the ability to change video game button configurations in today's games. Remapping is the choice to move button commands (jump, duck, attack etc.) from A to button B. The time for full button customization in games is here. This petition is from my perspective as a disabled gamer who finds many games unplayable because of my inability to reach buttons, but also for millions of gamers who find today's game presets don't meet their needs."
So why not just get a custom controller made? They're expensive; some at a cost much higher than the console itself. The petition has already received nearly 1,400 signatures.
In order to play games, Bittner uses his face to control joysticks and press face buttons on a standard controller. Watch him get a few kills in Call of Duty.
Recently, Randy Fitzgerald, or "NoM4d" as he is known in the Major League Gaming circuit, struggled with aiming in Call of Duty with the game's default controls because of his disability. Infinity Ward released a patch that assisted with aiming and named it after his Gamertag. The pro gamer also plays with his mouth and chin.
What do you think? Should standard console games include remappable controls?
Thanks for the news tip, Chuck!
Lame sauce for people who can't use the standard controller fine. but i'll stick to my ps3 controller
I don't see why its not there to start. Its not difficult. I think its just a matter of it hadn't been brought up enough for them to realize it was an issue.
Yeah it doesn't seem like it would be that hard to simple allow gamers to reconfigure their controls to match their play style either, and that way it would be easier for people like him to enjoy what we all should be able to
there is no reason at all this shouldn't be done to every single game already. No reason at all. I could have sworn it used to be used more often, at least he ability to switch between several presets on the controller int he options menu of most games. My cousin lost his hand in a motorcycle accident and plays most games with one hand and the controller on his lap. Anything that might make it easier for him and any of us mere complainers would help
I feel bad for this guy, I really do. I don't know enough about hacking but I am afraid that this could lead to new hacks, or even people just having an unfair advantage by abusing the customization. Maybe not, just a thought.
"What's more inconvenient: Adding in an option to customize controls on your game or someone having to learn to play your game with his face?"
I laughed hard....me and Ghostpig are going to hell. LOL
hell yuh.
It just seems like such a no-duh kinda feature, but apparently it isn't.
Some games used to do that in the first place. I dont see why the game shouldnt include an option to remap controls.
good for him, I'm signing!
The largest response I get is "WHY ISN'T THIS A FEATURE ALREADY?" LOL
While I am not disabled, I too would like the option to set my buttons to a custom config.
i love the fact that regardless of their disabilities, these players manage to find a way to enjoy the games that we take for granted.
Most definitely. I know I'd appreciate it, and I don't have any disability that keeps me from using a standard controller with my hands. I'm just so used to setting things up the way I like on PC, it'd be nice for most console games to allow that level of customization.
It's not an unreasonable request, and dude is going about it in a very positive way from what I can see. There is no demanding. No crying that the games aren't designed fairly. There is a friendly request to take some small steps to make gaming more accessible. I think it's very worthwhile.
Great petition, let's hope it eventually works. In addition to what's been said above, maybe letting gamers tweak controls in such depth can even lead to more efficient controllers or default control schemes. I literally cannot imagine any negative results of this.
I think its a good cause, me and my sis just signed.
Wait. Hold on. Ok so someone is petitioning for something that makes sense??? noooo this can't be. Are you sure he's not complaining about the lack of dedicated servers or something stupid like that?
I must say I have to applaud Chuck for something that 90% of america lacks.
A brain, large enough to understand true issues that gamers are having. Not ridiculous things like "they got rid of my favorite gun in COD so im gonna sue!1!!"
Hopefully these companies can smarten up and give him the accommodations that he requires because he's a gamer like the rest of us.