Feb
3rd
Gone Accessible Fishing
By One Switch
It's not all accesible video games. We're interested in all kinds of leisure activities made more accessible. In the full post below, you'll find a few alternative ways to go fishing. If they're not enough, YouTube also has remote control boat and RC helicopter fishing. Poor fish...
Jan
23rd
Skoog Musician in Mainstream Orchestra
By One SwitchSkoogmusic YouTube Clip
In the very early days of the Skoog, before it was called the Skoog, this was the hope: That this accessible instrument would be a way into the mainstream for otherwise disabled musicians. Looks like it's happening. Fantastic!
Dec
19th
Mario with Muscles
By One Switch"Advancer Technologies' USB Biofeedback Game Controller harnesses the power of electromyography to allow players to directly control video games with their muscles."
Dec
17th
Fahr'n fahr'n fahr'n auf der Autobahn
By One Switch
"Drivey" (free
PC demo and screen saver) from Mark PurseyDrivey is a proof of concept demo, but it is gorgeous and a pleasure. It reflects a stylised version of driving, and aims to replicate the ease of driving when you get into a comfortable head-space and environment.
It achieves this with auto-steering and cruise-control, which I think is a unique and brilliant accessibility design feature. If you let go of your controls, the car will drive itself. You can choose when to overtake, speed up or slow down or go off-road. You can switch off the traffic if you wish and even the colision detection. You can drive using two switches alone for LEFT and RIGHT.
Dec
6th
Greedy Bankers (iOS)
By One Switch
Eurogamer Indie Games Arcade finalist Greedy Bankers vs The World (iPad) has just received its first update, which aims to make the game more accessible to colour-blind players.
The update adds symbols that can be optionally added to the coloured gems in the game to make them visually distinguishable without the need for colour vision. "Because the gameplay of Greedy Bankers is largely based on colour, there were some obvious difficulties for colour-blind players. I thought it was unfair that people should be unable to enjoy the game properly, especially over an issue that was so easy to fix," said the developer Alistair Aitcheson.
Alistair also cited the charity Special Effect [us!] as an inspiration for the change, having met them at the Eurogamer Expo and approached them for advice. "I'm still looking for feedback on the updates, so that I can improve these accessibility elements. Hopefully with each update I'll be able to improve them based on players' experiences."
Dec
6th
Alternative Christmas
By One Switch
I don't know quite what to make of Specialbites's collection of eight switch accessible Christmas activities. They're a little bit odd. One is of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer getting scared by a possessed Christmas tree, then poo-ing in a toilet. Another is of a magic tree firing cannon balls at a cloud of brussel sprouts. Another is Rudolph starting a fire, melting a snowman whilst staring and grinning. Often there's a mad echoing laugh, or funeral march version of Away in a Manger.
Dec
3rd
Badlands
By One Switch
After playing it for the first time at Replay Expo 2011 I decided to have another go at getting Konami's one-switch laser-disk game Badlands working on my laptop. Using the latest version of the Daphne emulator (v1.0), it worked!
So, what's the game like?
Dec
3rd
El Duelo
By One Switch
El Duelo is an on-line high-noon gun-fight set in a haunted Mexico. As soon as your opponent draws, fire using the space bar (or linked accessibility switch). All dialogue and text is in Spanish which really adds to the Spaghetti Western feel. Requires fast reactions.
Parental guidance advised.
Dec
1st
Accessible Gaming on a Budget: Playstation 2
By One Switch
Last week we were approached asking if we would recommend a Wii or a Playstation for a young lad with Cerebral Palsy. He uses an Able-Net Big-Red type switch to play some Help Kidz Learn games and has also shown interest in web-cam activities.
That tipped me into thinking a Playstation 2 would likely be the best bet. Ideally one of the old fat ones that will work with the majority of accessible controllers.
Here's a list of the PS2 compatible software we recommend anyone with similar needs takes a look at (listed in degree of accessibility for the player, once a helper has set things up):
Dec
1st
Switch Accessible Dog Ball Thrower
By One Switch
We were delighted to read the latest update of The Sophie Story today, especially so linked to her new Dog Ball Thrower which we helped play a part in.
A while back Sophie's Mum and Dad asked us if we knew of any suitable ball throwing machines. We did (with thanks to moroQ in Japan), and pointed them in the direction of some in the USA. A friend over there kindly sent it over to Sophie as a birthday present.
Dad then adapted the device for switch use, and Sophie has been able to give her dog some exercise and fun ever since. We're impressed!
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