Physical disabilities that affect the ability to play games.

Gimpy_P · Mar 25, 2019

I'm a long time avid game player, I go way back to the Atari 2600. I also happen to have a disability that affects coordination and reaction time.

Because of these limitations there are certain things I can never do as well as others, but it doesn't stop me from trying. I mostly avoid PvP type games, I'm little more than a target. There have been exceptions, I had a group I played R6: Siege with a
group that understood the drawbacks of gaming with me and didn't care.. except in ranked matches .

I love the Assassin's Creed series but up until Black Flag I could never complete the game, usually because the final stages of the game require what I call "twitch" gaming, the need to control and react in a very precise manner. As frustrating as it gets
I still go out and buy the next in the series.

Another issue I have is flying games, I'd love it if they would release a proper flight stick for Xbox One (I miss the Sidewinder!). I can't control with any finesse at all using my thumbs.

I will acknowledge that some publishers have started adding the ability to skip "action" sequences allowing you to still progress in the game. I think LA Niore was the first game to do so and there are others I've played that after multiple failed attempts
the game allows you to skip ahead, a system much appreciated by people like me

The one thing that scares me me is that one day the controls and gaming ability needed will be such that I won't be able to play at all.

:)

AngelObullets

Hi there Gimpy

I would highly suggest trying the xbox one adaptive controller. I have seen it help people with multiple disabilitys including arthritis. It might cost a pretty penny but it most certainly does help. Here is a link to same device. https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/accessories/controllers/xbox-adaptive-controller

Cerebral Paul

Whould the Xbox adaptive controller help you to respond quicker to the game action required, maybe a different set of buttons could help

I need to see it in action, might check out a Microsoft Store to see if it could fit my needs. Thanks!

Cerebral Paul

Thank you for sharing your story, I hope also other publishers jump in on the ability to skip actions.

Have you tried playing sandbox games? I for one enjoy them because some servers you get really awesome players in which they help out each other. I play Conan even though it is a PvP server that I play in the community that I play in is really chill. Every
new player that joins in are server gets welcomed and offered a helping hand to get them started.

I play a little bit of everything, with varying degrees of success. Can't do things like Fortnite or PubG to save my life, I really don't care for the battle royal style as it is. When all the publishers started announcing upcoming BR modes etc all I could
do was whimper.

I'm doing Division 2 at the moment, I like the fact that there are many aspects I can solo and still enjoy the game.

killerkaesar

Whould the Xbox adaptive controller help you to respond quicker to the game action required, maybe a different set of buttons could help

DoubleDRAGON666

I don't think you have to worry about your last point. Games are meant to be fun. Developers aren't going to make them that they are so hard that they can't be beaten easily. Of course, there will always be games that specialise in that area like Soulsbourne games,
but there's no way all games will be like that. Thanks for sharing!

Physical disabilities that affect the ability to play games.