A Wii problem with the Wii?
For technology geeks like Crippled Monkey, apart from the recently-announced Apple iPhone (inaccessible to blind and visually impaired people), the other desirable item of choice is the peculiarly-named Nintendo Wii games console. But the very nature of its use - whereby you physically, er, well, sort of throw yourself around to operate the controls - means that its not exactly the easiest thing to use if you've got any sort of mobility impairment. And that's what enthusiastic gamer Samuel Kahn pointed out in his :
"I'm disabled; I have Muscular Dystrophy ... I began fearing that the Wiimote was something I may not be able to use effectively due to my limited range of motion. I hadn't seen anything published regarding the adjustment of control sensitivity for the Wii and its games. After buying a Wii on launch day, I discovered my fears were partially justified."
So have any Ouch'ers out there - and we know there are some enthusiastic gamers amongst you - tried the Wii out for size? Is it even a little adjustable for people who are not, as the introduction to Samuel's letter suggests, able to "swing their arms around like a spider monkey"? Let us know in the comments.
Comments
this is a comment I wanted to leave on the linkedentry, but I couldn't be bothered to try to navigate that site.
How is bringing a gaming accessibility issue to the developers' attention "crippling" a game? Sam's not telling Nintendo they can't make games that aren't accessible. He's not threatening them, being hostile, or trying to dictate terms. He's saying "hey, you have disabled gamers who would like to play these games, and some of them aren't very mobility-impairment friendly - how about providing some options?" Not "make everything accessible to everyone right out of the box." *Options*. A patch, some extra hardware, some sort of *option* to make it more accessible. If you're able-bodied, great, happy for you... don't use the adaptive *options*. Saying "providing accessible options would cripple a game" is like saying "providing a ramp is unsightly to a building, and if gimps can't take the stairs they shouldn't be allowed in." I run into people who have *that* attitude quite a bit as well, mind you, but it eludes me. You don't want to use adaptive technology? Don't use it. How is it hurting the ablebodied population to have possibilities open for those of us who aren't?
My boyfriend has a Wii. I was quite excited at the prospect of playing it on his big tv. I couldn't use it as I have to get too close to the TV to see whats happening and the sensor doesn't work that close. I've tried Rayman and Wii Sports but no luck with either. Its a shame as I was looking forward to spinning the cow round on a lasoo in Rayman! So its not good for us VI people either.
I've got a DS lite, and I love it because I can get it close to my face and the games are slow enough for me to be able to see them and I can do stuff in my own time. Animal Crossing rules!
I have 3 special needs children including one who is overactive. There have been problems with people having accidents and the wrist strap not working when they get overly excited. My children, especially the overactive one, would be at high risk of having one of those accidents. His autistic twin would have a tantrum because he can't use it his way.
i think the wii is helping me with my disability. i had a stroke and lost mobility in my hand. with games like red steel and zelda that require two hand, i am exercising my hand more. its difficult but the challenge in no way detracts from the playing experience.
A friend of mine who has a high spinal injury just got one. His first impressions were good on wii sports. He doesn't need to press buttons in the gameplay for Tennis and Boxing, and they're a lot of fun.
He suggested the addition of voice control for the options leading to game play, that would make those sports fully accessible.
As an abled bodied student just browsing the internet, looking at this, i do feel for some of the people who do miss out on great gaming experiences like wii sport, but may i suggest some other great games that do not require as much motor control over the body, Thers is super paper mario, or even dragon ball z, not to mention great games like Mario galaxy and metroid prime. Plus Super smash bros Brawl will possible one of the best games ever and knowing the wide options of controls, there will be fdew that miss out on this great game.