Since I started streaming last year, I've been approached for help from a number of disabled gamers who want to find better ways to play the games they love. I typically say that I'm not really sure what the best solution for them is since everyone is unique, but I always suggest working with their Occupational Therapist to find a system that works for their unique needs. While this is the honest truth, I decided to try and provide a comprehensive write-up on the types of adaptive technology that I've tried or looked into. The following information is purely based on my opinion and information I've found through my research. Additionally, I've found that every game will need a slightly different solution, and the in game settings (keybinds) can be very useful for finding new ways to play a game. My recommendations are based on playing League of Legends since every game may require a very different use of these adaptive solutions.
Head Mouse
Example: http://www.orin.com/access/headmouse/
I've used this type of mouse with my laptop years ago, and I didn't really enjoy it at all. It was hard to have good accuracy and precision, and to do mouse clicks you have to hold the mouse still for a few seconds. I believe you could have external switches mounted to do the mouse clicks, which would make this a decent way of using a mouse for gaming that doesn't need exact precision. This type of mouse usage could be very competitive if a solution for mouse clicking was figured out (likely via switches). Personally, it wouldn't work for me, but I can see it working perfectly fine for others.
Recommended.
Eye Tracking
Example: http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/26897/TrackEye-Real-Time-Tracking-Of-Human-Eyes-Using-a
I have very little knowledge in this area, but from what I've read, the technology isn't reliable enough for fast-paced gaming. I'd only advise this for someone playing a slower, more casual game.
Not Recommended.
Electroencephalography Technology
Example: http://www.emotiv.com/
This technology is our future, but for playing real games, it isn't ready yet. The setup to use the hardware is extensive, and it isn't reliable enough. My sources have told me that it would be like playing with 300-500 ping because of the input delay. I've seen this technology work decently in games where the behaviour of the game is somewhat predictable (i.e. WoW PvE content or single player RPGs), but it would not work very well in games where you face other players because of the input delay.
Not Recommended
Voice Recognition
Example: http://www.nuance.com/dragon/index.htm
I've used this technology since it started becoming mainstream years ago, and it has improved a lot since then. Despite the improvements, this technology isn't nearly good enough for any kind of fast paced competitive gaming. Additionally, to make custom voice macros you NEED the Professional version, which has a hefty price tag. I would still recommend it as a compliment to other adaptive solutions because it could easily handle some less critical/time sensitive commands in a game like League of Legends (ward placing).
Worth Trying.
Trackball or Touchpad Mice
Examples: http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/mice-pointers/trackballs and http://www.ergonomictouchpad.com/
Both these are perfect good alternatives to using a mouse that don't suffer from input lag like the above methods. Whether you want to use these depends on your own personal capabilities and how well you can get them mounted/positioned for you. Your occupational therapist can/will help with this type of device since they are quite standard adaptive solutions.
Recommended.
External Switches
Example: http://xkeys.com/xkeys/xkswi.php
These are great if you have some movement in your hands, arms, legs, or feet. There are a wide array of switches that vary in size and sensitivity, but this option can be pricey if you need a lot of switches. My current setup revolves around using switches mounted by my foot and elbow to use abilities in League of Legends, so I'm very fond of these.
Highly Recommended
Best Combination for Adaptive Solutions?
I can't answer that because everyone is different, but I would recommend trying as much as possible, until you find the right fit. I know my own physical limits and ability so well that I found a very good solution for me, but I'm always looking to improve it. For instance, I started playing League with voice recognition software, but I couldn't handle the input delay, so I researched and found the external switches for macro'ing my abilities to. The key is to think outside the box and then see if it exists by googling your idea. 9 times out of 10, someone else had your idea and made it a reality.
I appreciate any comments or input on adaptive solutions that I may have missed. I've tried so much over the years that I'm likely missing a few.
Showing posts with label Disabilities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disabilities. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Esports and Equality: Gamers giving the world a real lesson in how to behave
In a world still filled with injustices and inequalities, I believe that, like traditional sports, esports bridges the barriers of race, sex and physical abilities that still plague the world. I realize that this is quite a bold statement to make given the behaviour of an average internet user can be quite unpleasant, but I believe that esports is heading in the right direction to help improve online communities. The basis of my opinion is centered primarily in two events, my online fundraising and a Las Vegas trip, that I've been involved in.
Last year, a few friends of mine made comments about how it would be cool for people to see how I play because of how unique it is. They were of the opinion that I could get quite a lot of viewers if I did it, and so, I decided that I would try it out. I decided that instead of streaming for myself, I would try to do an online fundraiser to help Muscular Dystrophy Canada provide support for kids and adults who have neuromuscular conditions. Additionally, I wanted to raise awareness for disabled gamers since I knew quite a few. While I knew this fundraiser was going to be successful no matter what, I was astonished by the publicity and support I received from the online communities. In fact, a number of big named professional players from many games promoted my stream, and in part, it was so successful thanks to the support from the esports community. The second event that helps form my opinion is from meeting people involved in esports.
Thanks to my fundraising and streaming, I've been able to meet a number of awesome gamers, and my recent trip to Las Vegas, firmly instilled my faith in esports as a tool for bringing people together. I went to Las Vegas for IPL6, but unfortunately, the event was cancelled. Due to a number of factors, I decided that I would still go on the trip and enjoy myself. A big part of my trip was getting to meet and hang with Optimus Tom, MissTeak, and Glyceroll. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I met up with them because as a guy with a disability, I've seen people reaction or handle it quite differently. Most people at first are a bit careful and stand off-ish till they get used to the wheelchair and such, but this wasn't the case when I met up with these 3. Honestly, I was shocked by how normal they acted around me from the very start. Typically, a person is only this comfortable from the start if they have prior experience with wheelchairs and such, so I was pleasantly surprised. To be quite honest, their acceptance and understanding is what made the weekend just that much more enjoyable. This kind of reaction is exactly the kind of bridging barriers that I'm talking about, and I believe that esports is a huge part of why this is possible.
Last year, a few friends of mine made comments about how it would be cool for people to see how I play because of how unique it is. They were of the opinion that I could get quite a lot of viewers if I did it, and so, I decided that I would try it out. I decided that instead of streaming for myself, I would try to do an online fundraiser to help Muscular Dystrophy Canada provide support for kids and adults who have neuromuscular conditions. Additionally, I wanted to raise awareness for disabled gamers since I knew quite a few. While I knew this fundraiser was going to be successful no matter what, I was astonished by the publicity and support I received from the online communities. In fact, a number of big named professional players from many games promoted my stream, and in part, it was so successful thanks to the support from the esports community. The second event that helps form my opinion is from meeting people involved in esports.
Thanks to my fundraising and streaming, I've been able to meet a number of awesome gamers, and my recent trip to Las Vegas, firmly instilled my faith in esports as a tool for bringing people together. I went to Las Vegas for IPL6, but unfortunately, the event was cancelled. Due to a number of factors, I decided that I would still go on the trip and enjoy myself. A big part of my trip was getting to meet and hang with Optimus Tom, MissTeak, and Glyceroll. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I met up with them because as a guy with a disability, I've seen people reaction or handle it quite differently. Most people at first are a bit careful and stand off-ish till they get used to the wheelchair and such, but this wasn't the case when I met up with these 3. Honestly, I was shocked by how normal they acted around me from the very start. Typically, a person is only this comfortable from the start if they have prior experience with wheelchairs and such, so I was pleasantly surprised. To be quite honest, their acceptance and understanding is what made the weekend just that much more enjoyable. This kind of reaction is exactly the kind of bridging barriers that I'm talking about, and I believe that esports is a huge part of why this is possible.
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Shaping of Reality by Networking
This is a follow-up to my Perception and Shaping Reality post last week. This week, I'd like to explore how we can bring about a change in perception. I'll be looking at how humans naturally form "tribes"(networks) as described by David Logan in his TEDx Talk. The main point I'm taking from his talk is how we can improve our own networking and increase our individual/organizational clout.
Perception: What we see lies upon the surface. What is lies underneath the surface.
To change how disabled people are perceived, we must expand the tribes(networks) that hold the values of acceptance and understanding. I know many non-profits, and advocacy groups try to do this already, but their reach is usually limited to the reach of their members. That is say, they rarely expand past their current tribe. As stated in David Logan's video, great tribe leaders are those who expand their tribe's influence by introducing people to other people. This is somewhat of an absurd concept since you'd think that you're just expanding the other person's tribe, but I would like to suggest a possible explanation. The act of introducing one person to another is a show of confidence and power. You are asserting yourself to the other 2 people and taking a leading role. This means that they will be more likely to follow your values in the near future. In essence, you've influenced 2 tribes with one action instead of 1. This act has allowed you to establish clout(social power) among both the tribes.
How do I establish clout?
The key is to attend as many social gatherings, conferences, dinners, fundraisers, clubs, etc. as you can. A lot of people use these events to network, but most don't fully take advantage of the situation. I would suggest that after you've attended an event where you networked, you should follow up with the people you've met. Go for a coffee, develop a relationship outside of the particular event you met at. This added step lets you move from acquaintances to being friends/colleagues.
How do I use my clout?
With the establishment of personal or organizational clout, you can move on to my next suggested step for motivating the shaping of perception. Start a cause/movement that fits within your established values (the values that your tribes follow) and elicits action by those who see it. You need something to be eye-catching and 'viral' for it to be successful. A fine example of this concept in recent media was the Kony 2012 campaign. The Invisible Children organization spent years establishing its clout at universities throughout the USA so that when they made an eye-catching video it went viral immediately. I find this to be the hardest part because you need to create content that generates action. You may have the clout necessary for your friends/colleagues to spread the message, but the people who see it need to act upon seeing your video. To help with this conundrum, you should look to expanding your networks in a few particular circles; university students, film makers, and communications professionals.
Following-up the action
This step is often left out in most practices. It is synonymous with the last step of many business models that relate to feedback/monitoring performance. This step is often overlooked because the project/product has already been finished, but it is critical for insuring the success and growth of future endeavours. In the non-profit world, this is why donors usually receive some form of thank you, and shaping perception is no different. If you don't follow-up by sending thank you's, or asking for feedback then your supports/tribes/networks will think that the cause was successful and no more action is needed. This is rarely the case since most causes require years of protesting, and fundraising for to be completely successful. Just as our existence is continuous, so are the issues we face.
Summarized Steps:
Questions or comments about my thought process/suggested steps are welcome.
Perception: What we see lies upon the surface. What is lies underneath the surface.
To change how disabled people are perceived, we must expand the tribes(networks) that hold the values of acceptance and understanding. I know many non-profits, and advocacy groups try to do this already, but their reach is usually limited to the reach of their members. That is say, they rarely expand past their current tribe. As stated in David Logan's video, great tribe leaders are those who expand their tribe's influence by introducing people to other people. This is somewhat of an absurd concept since you'd think that you're just expanding the other person's tribe, but I would like to suggest a possible explanation. The act of introducing one person to another is a show of confidence and power. You are asserting yourself to the other 2 people and taking a leading role. This means that they will be more likely to follow your values in the near future. In essence, you've influenced 2 tribes with one action instead of 1. This act has allowed you to establish clout(social power) among both the tribes.
How do I establish clout?
The key is to attend as many social gatherings, conferences, dinners, fundraisers, clubs, etc. as you can. A lot of people use these events to network, but most don't fully take advantage of the situation. I would suggest that after you've attended an event where you networked, you should follow up with the people you've met. Go for a coffee, develop a relationship outside of the particular event you met at. This added step lets you move from acquaintances to being friends/colleagues.
How do I use my clout?
With the establishment of personal or organizational clout, you can move on to my next suggested step for motivating the shaping of perception. Start a cause/movement that fits within your established values (the values that your tribes follow) and elicits action by those who see it. You need something to be eye-catching and 'viral' for it to be successful. A fine example of this concept in recent media was the Kony 2012 campaign. The Invisible Children organization spent years establishing its clout at universities throughout the USA so that when they made an eye-catching video it went viral immediately. I find this to be the hardest part because you need to create content that generates action. You may have the clout necessary for your friends/colleagues to spread the message, but the people who see it need to act upon seeing your video. To help with this conundrum, you should look to expanding your networks in a few particular circles; university students, film makers, and communications professionals.
Following-up the action
This step is often left out in most practices. It is synonymous with the last step of many business models that relate to feedback/monitoring performance. This step is often overlooked because the project/product has already been finished, but it is critical for insuring the success and growth of future endeavours. In the non-profit world, this is why donors usually receive some form of thank you, and shaping perception is no different. If you don't follow-up by sending thank you's, or asking for feedback then your supports/tribes/networks will think that the cause was successful and no more action is needed. This is rarely the case since most causes require years of protesting, and fundraising for to be completely successful. Just as our existence is continuous, so are the issues we face.
Summarized Steps:
- Establish personal/organizational clout by attending networking functions.
- Follow-up meetings with your new contacts to develop personal connection.
- Start a cause that aligns with your network's values.
- Create a video, site, blog post, event, etc that can catch the attention and elicit action.
- Follow-up to tell everyone it isn't over yet.
Questions or comments about my thought process/suggested steps are welcome.
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