I think it's fantastic that they're doing this. I know a guy who was pretty good at halo (not fantastic, but alright) and he played one handed because one arm was paralyzed, and it was just awkward for him to use a normal controller.
Modular Xbox 360 Controller Fabricated With Bag of Rice
- Thread starter Tom Goldman
- Start date
I hate to be the token cynic here, but does anyone else get the feeling that a controller like this will either get patent lawsuits for using MS parts, or NXE updated out of functionality, all to push Natal as usual? MS has shown that it can be exactly that kind of rotten before :/
Ergodex DX1 [http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm]
and the Multi Function Panel (MFP) from chproducts: A custom keyboard that allows the user to place keys anywhere on the board and assign what-ever function to which-ever key.
It's awesome that a group of people out there is trying to do the same thing to gaming controllers.
and the Multi Function Panel (MFP) from chproducts: A custom keyboard that allows the user to place keys anywhere on the board and assign what-ever function to which-ever key.
It's awesome that a group of people out there is trying to do the same thing to gaming controllers.
I think it's great that a hobby like Gaming is becoming more and more accessible to everyone. I mean, really, gaming isn't about physical capabilities anyway, mostly about thinking, planning, timing, and reflexes, most of which a handicapped person is still able to do, given the right controller.
I can picture it now.
2 years from now: First handicapped controller released in the market, huge success.
3 years from now: Companies respond to the popularity with a wave of fully customizable controllers. They're so customizable that Steven Hawking begins playing games (and causing people to rage quit) while simultaneously causing other researchers to rage quit on their theories on black holes. I'm sure Steve Jobs would make something like the "ijoystick" for consoles, and it won't be a stick at all but a controller for some odd reason.
3.2 years from now: Controllers integrate perfectly with home computers and games, one less thing for people to moan about when arguing about consoles vs personal computers.
4 years from now: When me and my friends go to look up "builds" it's literally builds for controllers.
2 years from now: First handicapped controller released in the market, huge success.
3 years from now: Companies respond to the popularity with a wave of fully customizable controllers. They're so customizable that Steven Hawking begins playing games (and causing people to rage quit) while simultaneously causing other researchers to rage quit on their theories on black holes. I'm sure Steve Jobs would make something like the "ijoystick" for consoles, and it won't be a stick at all but a controller for some odd reason.
3.2 years from now: Controllers integrate perfectly with home computers and games, one less thing for people to moan about when arguing about consoles vs personal computers.
4 years from now: When me and my friends go to look up "builds" it's literally builds for controllers.
This is great! There was a disabled friendly -- actually, quadriplegic friendly -- controller for the NES [http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/05/the-disabled-friendly-nes-controller-from-the-1980s/], but I always thought that modern consoles were too complex to allow for this sort of thing. It really makes me happy to see someone trying to expand the hobby in a way that allows people with limited mobility to play.
Actually there are already a ton of accessories to make computing and PC using easier for disabled people. It's about time something was done for consoles. Once again it requires the amateur sector to come up with it(brilliantly as well). Can't expect the big 3 to spend money on such a thing.arc1991 said:
"Shrugging your shoulder triggers the shoulder button"
What if it's one of those games where you have to pull the trigger over and over and over and over and over to shoot?
What if it's one of those games where you have to pull the trigger over and over and over and over and over to shoot?
As far as using MS parts to build the controller I would say that in small scale production where you are basically just building them for a few people and particularly with a prototype MS can't really do anything. IF they get to a point where they want to step it up I am pretty sure that the basic functions of a microsoft controller aren't exactly patentable. plain buttons that click and thumbsticks that click that just look different from Xbox and obviously no issues with the controller shape considering they completely changed that. So overall I'd say they are on to something. Also this along with Natal could be exactly what is needed to create more accessibility. There are many people who might like to play video games that don't even have use of anything below their neck so natal could be programmed to sense eye movements as controller motions. There is a lot of ingenuity out there and it will continue no matter what companies like MS do.Icehearted said:
To think some games don't allow you to even define the buttons any more. I mean, when you're spending 6 months adding more lens flare and shiny bits to distant bits of scenery no-one will glance at twice, why not give one trainee guy a few days to build a 'configure controls' menu, and while you're at it, a colour blind mode won't kill you, and to a lesser extent as many games do feature it now, subtitles.
Every thing you do to make a game more accessible to more people, directly turns into sales, surely?
As for the shoulder button sometimes being used as a fire button, as they said, all buttons are utterly redefinable.
Damn showing my age, you 'redefine keys' on ZX Spectrum games, you 'configure controls' this decade
Every thing you do to make a game more accessible to more people, directly turns into sales, surely?
As for the shoulder button sometimes being used as a fire button, as they said, all buttons are utterly redefinable.
Damn showing my age, you 'redefine keys' on ZX Spectrum games, you 'configure controls' this decade
I support this idea fully.
Being able to customize your controller layout would be sweet. The only problem would be making sure it didn't fall apart since I game hard, often putting stress on the controller.
Being able to customize your controller layout would be sweet. The only problem would be making sure it didn't fall apart since I game hard, often putting stress on the controller.
Trust me, it is. When I was stuck in bed at the hospital from my stroke my DS and PSP were the only things that kept me sane even if I couldn't use the face buttons very well (if at all).Mozza444 said:
Edit: That's also why I was an early fan of the Wii, sure it was (and is) a lot of waggling, but when you don't have full use of your extremities, it's a lot easier than trying to press buttons you can't feel.
Good to see somebody trying to help disabled people. Where are Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo when it comes to things like these?
Wow, I came pretty close to having my arm amputated two years ago so I'm in full support of this.
Why didn't I think of this?, oh yeah I'm an idiot thats why.
Why didn't I think of this?, oh yeah I'm an idiot thats why.
I'm with Irridium and his avatar thats currently dancing to Flobots No Handlebars, this is good for people without disabilaties, it would have completely negated people moaning about KillZone and not being able customise the control scheme.Irridium said:
I'm thinking they're talking about the left and right bumper buttons, above the trigger buttons on the 360 controller. Also if these buttons really needed continuous clicking at some point, maybe add some kind of turbo button to the controller? I wouldn't consider it cheating if there's handicapped people out there who can't actually press the same button in rapid succession because of their disability. They should also be able to do those QTEs.lacktheknack said:
That being said there's always the fully customisable button system, so you can change the function of one of the easier-to-quickly-press buttons to the function of one of the shoulder buttons.
