[games_access] Robert' s game constraints and success

[Robert Florio]

Barrie and Lynn including others,  thanks for getting back to me.  I'll definitely check out those games especially the one up for an award. I just recorded me playing The Matrix: Path of Neo with my quad controller today which I will put on my web site very soon.  This game is my favorite game and most anticipated game and most accessible game I've played yet. For starters limitations are below.  They are mine.  A quadriplegic of C4 level.

1. Too many button combinations requiring multiple button presses rapidly or together.
        Example: fighting games to access combination push X+A followed by arrow up, down. 
        Example: action-adventure games holding in trigger or L button Xbox and PS2 while performing actions with other buttons.
        Example: racing games holding in button for acceleration, power slide, shifting gears while driving and changing mirror options.
         Example: first-person shooters PC and consoles. Running with character and aiming camera angle to shoot at selected characters.

2. Unable to switch weapons in gameplay without pressing start most of the time.  Path of Neo is not very bad.

These are a few I know there are more I just haven't written them down.  I need to think about it more. 

Successful features in games are followed below.

1. Easy weapons selection one being attacked without pressing start such as slow motion or slowing time down.  The Matrix: Path of Neo is an excellent example. 

2. One button posture position not holding. 
        Example: The Matrix: Path of Neo options to toggle or hold for focus slowing time down performing special moves. Push the button once and the Bard drains the focus keeping slow motion one. Would be impossible holding that button while performing actions with my mouth controller.  Imagine sucking on the whole for holding the focus and sucking on the whole next to it for a kick it doesn't work and then puffing at the same time. 
        Example: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Angel of darkness. To crouch push button once and she stays in crouched position push it again and she stays on her stomach.

3. Mario Cart for Nintendo is excellent for simple maneuvering and great car control very sensitive.
        Example: car controls are easy but most hold in acceleration button bottom lip which works for me. Now geared changing and switching partners on the car a special feature in the game is easy enough with a side switch or puff.  Must let go of accelerator though. 

These are a few of my issues I've come across very frequently with games out there today. I think the three-dimensional gaming world is mostly unavoidable because that is the trend these days and it will most likely not change back to two-dimensional if you might be worried about some motion sickness.  I think that's a part of games today which makes it a huge selling point because of its three-dimensional next level generation.

Lynn I read some of your points about universal game design and think along the same lines of using them games for developmental and prevention tools.  That is exactly what I got into this to develop games for those in my same situation in rehab or home or in hospitals to cope with their disability and to learn and interact with their peers again.  This sounds great I would love to work with you anyway. Where are you located perhaps I can attend your conferences or perhaps I could put together some of my own studies along with anyone else interested possibly in the future.  I am a game student right now 23 living in Maryland.  Traveling is difficult unfortunately.  Studying at the Art Institute online Game Art and Design Program bachelors.  I can't wait for classes to start again.  Everything from story, character development, storyboarding, three-dimensional modeling, character modeling, environment modeling, skin or map creation and animation.  I'm getting very good and comfortable with my mouthstick which is a huge accomplishment and I'm so excited to be working with you guys.  I welcome much more comments.

Should these issues be posted on the IGDN accessibility thread?  I would like to post this thread their anyway.

Robert Florio

www.RobertFlorio.com All about Art and Game Accessibility
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