So, recently I was comissioned to write the most tedious 606 words I've ever written. Basically, it's an article meant to guide neophyte SwitchXS users toward games that play nicely with assistive technology. Part of me understands that some people may lack the vision or knowledge to realize that assistive technology isn't just for school and vocational purposes. However, another part of me finds it annoying that an article is required to illustrate something so obvious. It's annoying because I know how things work. "Experts" recommend assistive technology to kids or adults with injuries, but they impose such stupid limits on what said technology can do. So many kids get stuck thinking assistive technology is only for homework. I've had people with PhDs boggle over fact that I can play Rise of Nations with my thumb and a switch. It's a system of low expectations and self imposed limitations. It should be blatently obvious that assistive technology is listening to iTunes, IMing, gaming, writing stupid blog posts like this one.
Anywho, here's the article:
For many new users, playing games with SwitchXS under Mac OS X might seem like a daunting task. However, with a little practice and the right games even a novice can be up and clicking in no time. Many years ago on my PowerBook 3400, I had no idea where to begin in terms of gaming. All I knew for sure was that I had to play something, gaming was in my blood. Yet, despite all the other unknowns, my course remained steady. After all, it’s gaming and not rocket science.
To begin, it’s best to start with games that don’t require a great deal of quick action from the user. It’s preferable to try games in which the situation isn’t kill or be killed. For instance, Freeverse Software’s Burning Monkey Solitaire is a delightful suite of solitaire variations that don’t require fast paced action. Not only is Burning Monkey Solitaire fun and visually pleasing, it also serves as fine practice for novice users to boost their mousing skills. A downloadable demo of Burning Monkey Solitaire is available from www.freeverse.com with the full version available for $24.95. An excellent price for an excellent game.
Of course, the true uniqueness of computer gaming is found in playing online against others. Multiplayer gaming is often the most rewarding gameplay experience. So, where to begin? For the inexperienced switch user, many popular online games may be a bit too hectic. Casting spells, leading armies, flanking an unwitting adversary, such things can be frustrating for the first time switch user. However, there are plenty of multiplayer games that provide copious amounts of fun, as well as the means to strengthen one’s uber-l33t switch skillz.
Once again we look to the folks at Freeverse Software and their aptly titled collection of multiplayer board games, Big Bang Board Games. Board games are an excellent stepping-stone in that they’re incredibly fun, intellectually challenging and don’t require a great deal of quick action from the user. Board games have nearly endless universal appeal. So, the folks at Freeverse have taken the liberty of crafting 7 visually impressive board games and bundled them into a single collection. These games include 4-in-a-Row, Backgammon, Chess, Checkers, Mancala, Reversi and Tic-Tac-Toe; each rendered in lovely OpenGL, each quite fun. Not only are such games good for enhancing one’s ability to maneuver the mouse via SwitchXS, but they help to strengthen one’s typing ability by way of in-game chatting. Nobody really wants to practice typing by writing essays. I know I never did. A downloadable demo of Big Bang Board Games is available from www.freeverse.com with the full version available for $24.95.
Another interesting game is Decipher’s The Lord of the Rings Online TCG (Trading Card Game). Basically, players purchase digital trading cards and form them into customized decks with which to battle other players. A starter deck goes for $9.99 and contains all the basic cards needed to play. This game is entirely mouse based, making it quite good for crafting accurate mouse skills. The Lord of the Rings Online TCG game client is free download and is available at http://lotrtcg.decipher.com.
The previous games are just a glimpse of what’s possible with SwitchXS. They are prime examples of where to begin. Often, some users are resistant to assistive technology because they don’t realize that it can be fun. Assistive technology isn’t just about doing homework, browsing the web and turning on one’s bedroom lights. Assistive technology is an entire world of things. It’s killing zombies and casting spells while Aimee Mann sings Real Bad News in iTunes. It’s whatever one can imagine. This article only covers the beginning.
It's also going in a newsletter, so hopefully posting it here won't get me sued.
Posted by Mike at September 1, 2005 11:49 AM