Help! I've Got Pac-Man Fever
By Williams, Marvin; AT Messenger , Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 3-5Publication Date: Spring 2004
Article discusses a number of video game adaptations for people with disabilities, including: (1) the PlayStation 2 Mouth Controller, which was designed by Ken Yankelevitz Enterprises, (2) the Game Boy Adapter from Enabling Devices, and (3) Terraformers from Pin Interactive. The PlayStation 2 Mouth Controller has one mouthpiece that operates as a digital joystick. The controller’s mouthpiece uses a combination of two lip switches and three sip-and-puff switches for a total of six functions. A second sip-and-puff function provides the user with access to the “start” and “select” functions. The Game Boy Adapter allows the user to play a Game Boy Advance Standard Play (SP) using switches. The device is available off-the-shelf, and does not require any additional modifications. The Game Boy Adapter only works with the Game Boy Advance SP, as it is incompatible with Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. Terraformers is a three-dimensional video games designed for people who are sighted as well as people with visual disabilities. Every aspect of the game features and audio interface, as everything in the game’s virtual environment can be represented by a sound. For example, one mission is to find keys to several doors and open each door with its key. Each key makes a distinct sound, which is also made by the appropriate door. A sound compass and sonar also help players to navigate movements in the virtual world. A free, downloadable demonstration version is available at http://www.pininteractive.com/terraformers/eng/download.php.
Assistive Products Discussed: MOUTH CONTROLLER WITH SONY PLAYSTATION 2 CABLE
GAME BOY ADAPTER (MODELS 4034, 4035, & 4036)
Published by:
Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (Web Site: http://www.dati.org )
Link to text: http://www.dati.org/newsletter/issues/2004n2/spring2004.pdf
