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Physically-Challenged Gamer Hacks Together Custom PS3 Controller

Posted by Soulskill on from the quick-get-a-patent dept.

Destructoid has a neat post about a gamer whose condition prevents him from using a standard video game controller. With the help of a company called GimpGear, which markets devices for people with limited mobility, he designed and built a custom input device that makes use of fingers, toes, and even sips or puffs of air to control his favorite games. Pictures and a video of the setup are both available in the post.

5 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. "GimpGear" FTW by Valacosa · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The best way to fight a derogatory term is to take it back. A group trying to run away from a word with negative connotations is simply running on a treadmill, each new euphemism becoming an insult in a few years. (e.g. Retarded -> Mentally Disabled -> Differently Abled etc.)

    --
    "Live as if you'll die tomorrow." Ridiculous. You could die later today.
    1. Re:"GimpGear" FTW by dosius · · Score: 5, Informative

      I actually prefer to refer to myself as "handicapped" rather than "disabled" - since handicap suggests a slight limitation, disabled suggests a total incapacitation.

      I'm not the first person to say this either.

      -uso.

      --
      What you hear in the ear, preach from the rooftop Matthew 10.27b
    2. Re:"GimpGear" FTW by wild_quinine · · Score: 5, Interesting

      The best way to fight a derogatory term is to take it back. A group trying to run away from a word with negative connotations is simply running on a treadmill, each new euphemism becoming an insult in a few years. (e.g. Retarded -> Mentally Disabled -> Differently Abled etc.)

      My brother is severely physically disabled (oh no! that's the not the politcally correct way of saying it any more!) and playing online video games has given him a freedom and confidence I've never seen in him. When he gets on teamspeak, he's just one more of the guys. He's not the greatest gameplayer in the world, but he doesn't let the side down in a five man instance, for example.

      He doesn't play on Xbox Live! though. In his words 'Those guys are retards'.

    3. Re:"GimpGear" FTW by Roland+Piquepaille · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I know a person born with no arms who says she isn't handicapped or disabled, since she never had arms in the first place so didn't "lose" physical abilities, does everything (and I mean everything) with her feet, and knows no other way of doing things.

    4. Re:"GimpGear" FTW by Heian-794 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That's absolutely the right way to go about it.

      I myself was born partially blind and am often asked by "normal" people if it's difficult to get through life. I have the irresistible urge to quote Hall-of-Fame Chicago Cubs pitcher Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown, who, when asked the same question regarding the disfiguring hand injury he sustained in a mining accident as a child, would reapond, "I wouldn't know. I've never tried it the other way."