How the f**k do I deal with able gamers and do I even bother?

[Morty815]

EDIT: There seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding in my post, let me be more clear, I play games with 1 arm on default controls without issue, and don't want OTHER disabled gamers being detterred, wow I'm inarticulate.

link to ablegamers 360 reviews: http://www.ablegamers.com/xbox-360-reviews-for-disabled-gamers.html

To name but a few games they deem unplayable that I've finished, Alan Wake, Arkham Asylum, ODST and the CODs.

OK. First off, this is in no way an egotistical post, I am in no way looking for praise in any area of my life so I ask that all escapees (is that a word?) refrain from making this thread about me. Anyway, to start off I'm a disabled gamer, 360 is my console of choice, I am a forequarter (that is the correct spelling ) amputee, which means I am missing my left arm and shoulder, I've been gaming since about 11ish, so like 8 years now, ablegamers.com recently came to my attention. On this site they review games for disabled dudes and dudettes, they have a checklist at the top of each review stating if people with specific disabilities can play certain games, in the category of 1 arm (yay thats me!) for pretty much every game they have a huge X. Stating that one armed gamers would not be able to play these games, my worry is that another 1 armed gamer might read their reviews and be dettered from attempting to play a game with 1 arm, I emailed abled gamers twice and both times recieved a automated -we appreciate your input- email, I just want to get the word out that their opinion is not gospel and playing a game with one arm is VERY much possible and doesn't take a lot of time to get used to, so I ask you escapees and escapettes, what shall I do?!?!?!

EDIT: Just want to make it clear, to my surprise I've been directly contacted by Ablegamers, they had already updated their reviewing system making it much more thorough than a simple yes or no in terms of playability, my complaint stemmed from an older reviewing system. With a bit of encouragement I have decided I will start uploading vids of me gaming with the hope that people with a similar disability will be encouraged to give it a go, appreciate all the feedback :-D, see you guys n gals online.

 

[Zac Smith]

No offence to you at all, but in the gaming world, you are in a very small minority, and I sincerely doubt that game companies would spend extra money to try and cater to that small demographic. So in the nicest way possible without sounding like an arse, sucks to be you, try to find some games that you can play 1 handed. That's all I can say on the matter I'm afraid =/

 

[Zorpheus]

When it all comes down to it, it's just one website out of many others. No one ever says any one site on the Internet is the authority on anything. Even wikipedia requires multiple sources to back up their data. As the saying goes, "When there's a will, there's a way". If people are willing to give up on something just because one site on the net says they can't do it, then that's too bad. As for you, you know otherwise, so I'd say to forget that website and not mention it as a credible source of information towards others like you.

 

[Rylot]

It sucks that they're not willing to work with you, but you can't force them to listen to you. I don't suppose they have forums that you can post on? If you have the time maybe start a blog about how you are able to game with only one arm and you go about it so at least there's something online to educate others in a similar position.

 

[Zac Smith]

No offence to you at all, but in the gaming world, you are in a very small minority, and I sincerely doubt that game companies would spend extra money to try and cater to that small demographic. So in the nicest way possible without sounding like an arse, sucks to be you, try to find some games that you can play 1 handed. That's all I can say on the matter I'm afraid =/

No offence dude but u just gained major douche points, if you bothered to read my post you would have seen that I have no problem playing games 1 handed, and the problem is that ablegamers.com states playing games with 1 arm is impossible, thereby deterring other people from trying to play games.

You never said you had no problem, only that it was "possible", I know people with physical disabilities that play video games, all with varying degrees of success. So I feel you should've been more specific in that regard

But still you asked what you should do, saying emailing hasn't worked, I would suggest you keep emailing. Many companies will get the message with persistence.

 

[Morty815]

When it all comes down to it, it's just one website out of many others. No one ever says any one site on the Internet is the authority on anything. Even wikipedia requires multiple sources to back up their data. As the saying goes, "When there's a will, there's a way". If people are willing to give up on something just because one site on the net says they can't do it, then that's too bad. As for you, you know otherwise, so I'd say to forget that website and not mention it as a credible source of information towards others like you.

Good point, the only reason I'm bothered by this particular site is because lately they have garnered a lot of credibility among disabled gamers, also it's understandable that many amputees would not want to try because the dissapointment if they failed would feel horrible (I know, i failed like 60 times), and a little positive nudge can mean a lot.

 

[lacktheknack]

No offence to you at all, but in the gaming world, you are in a very small minority, and I sincerely doubt that game companies would spend extra money to try and cater to that small demographic. So in the nicest way possible without sounding like an arse, sucks to be you, try to find some games that you can play 1 handed. That's all I can say on the matter I'm afraid =/

RTFOP, you should ALWAYS do so before actually replying to anything.

OT: Your one opinion won't change their lists. Maybe you're actually more skilled than you give yourself credit for. I have NO idea how I'd manage gaming with one arm...

 

[Morty815]

No offence to you at all, but in the gaming world, you are in a very small minority, and I sincerely doubt that game companies would spend extra money to try and cater to that small demographic. So in the nicest way possible without sounding like an arse, sucks to be you, try to find some games that you can play 1 handed. That's all I can say on the matter I'm afraid =/

No offence dude but u just gained major douche points, if you bothered to read my post you would have seen that I have no problem playing games 1 handed, and the problem is that ablegamers.com states playing games with 1 arm is impossible, thereby deterring other people from trying to play games.

You never said you had no problem, only that it was "possible", I know people with physical disabilities that play video games, all with varying degrees of success. So I feel you should've been more specific in that regard

But still you asked what you should do, saying emailing hasn't worked, I would suggest you keep emailing. Many companies will get the message with persistence.

You were more civil than me, so all I can say is... fair enough

 

[Morty815]

No offence to you at all, but in the gaming world, you are in a very small minority, and I sincerely doubt that game companies would spend extra money to try and cater to that small demographic. So in the nicest way possible without sounding like an arse, sucks to be you, try to find some games that you can play 1 handed. That's all I can say on the matter I'm afraid =/

RTFOP, you should ALWAYS do so before actually replying to anything.

OT: Your one opinion won't change their lists. Maybe you're actually more skilled than you give yourself credit for. I have NO idea how I'd manage gaming with one arm...

Trust me if we were all born with 1 arm (I wasn't btw) it wouldn't be a problem. It's not as hard as you'd think.

 

[Aesir23]

Hmm, what I'm wondering is if this website has disabled gamers even try playing these games in order to see if it is possible or not. If they don't then I hardly see how their reviews have merit.

 

[Black Arrow Officer]

Try and see what works for you. You shouldn't let one site deter you from playing a game if you want to.

 

[Zac Smith]

No offence to you at all, but in the gaming world, you are in a very small minority, and I sincerely doubt that game companies would spend extra money to try and cater to that small demographic. So in the nicest way possible without sounding like an arse, sucks to be you, try to find some games that you can play 1 handed. That's all I can say on the matter I'm afraid =/

No offence dude but u just gained major douche points, if you bothered to read my post you would have seen that I have no problem playing games 1 handed, and the problem is that ablegamers.com states playing games with 1 arm is impossible, thereby deterring other people from trying to play games.

You never said you had no problem, only that it was "possible", I know people with physical disabilities that play video games, all with varying degrees of success. So I feel you should've been more specific in that regard

But still you asked what you should do, saying emailing hasn't worked, I would suggest you keep emailing. Many companies will get the message with persistence.

You were more civil than me, so all I can say is... fair enough

I apologize if I came off a "douchey" to you, but in fairness, if a disabled person has made the decision to overcome their problem in playing a game and find a way that suits them best, by having the willingness and determination to overcome that, I doubt they will give a crap that a site says "you can't play this game because of XYZ"

 

[scnj]

Honestly, I think you just have to trust that other gamers with the same disability have the same drive to learn how to cope. It's only one website, and it clearly didn't affect your resolve. As others have suggested, perhaps post a blog with tips and such.

Out of interest, what do you play? I can see how Peggle or Pac-Man wouldn't be an issue, but the 360 is known more for CoD style shooters, which I'd imagine are much harder.

 

[Morty815]

Honestly, I think you just have to trust that other gamers with the same disability have the same drive to learn how to cope. It's only one website, and it clearly didn't affect your resolve. As others have suggested, perhaps post a blog with tips and such.

Out of interest, what do you play? I can see how Peggle or Pac-Man wouldn't be an issue, but the 360 is known more for CoD style shooters, which I'd imagine are much harder.

I play a lotta games http://live.xbox.com/en-GB/member/vWv%20Morty%20vWv

 

[Lullabye]

So you're worried that the site recommendations might deter other disabled gamers from enjoying potentially great games? It sucks but there really isn't much you can do about it. They can say whatever they want as is their right, and quite frankly it seems like they are only trying to help. Convincing someone that they are possibly doing more harm than good is rather arduous and in this case I would say not worth it.
I want to see exactly what this sight deems as a game 'unfit' for certain disabilities.
*goes off to google*
[sub]might help if you put up a link of the site in question[/sub]

EDIT: Wow they really cover alot on that site. Honestly I don't think anybody reading that would feel deterred. If anything it's more like a suggestions site than a do/do not play 'X' if you have 'Y' disability.
Their choices also seem to make sense.(maybe not some of the specific game choices, but the genres overall) The only thing that I find wrong is that they call it 'unplayable'. Why not just put it on a difficulty scale(or rather, an accessibility scale?) or something?

 

[Saelune]

Well, it can apply, I feel EVERY EVERY EVERY game should have button mapping, that is, you can decide which button does which. Hell, Super Street Fighter IV lets you make every single button the same if you really wanted. Im sure such a feature (that should be as standard as "press start") would help some gamers like you to make a control scheme some can adapt to.

 

[hotsauceman]

I remember a guy named ben heck who make one handed x-box controllers. From what i hear they are pretty good and his popular project.

 

[Nuclear_Suspect]

Now I dont know about that site, but if it allows perhaps you could submit your own review from a forequarter's point of view.

 

[Morty815]

So you're worried that the site recommendations might deter other disabled gamers from enjoying potentially great games? It sucks but there really isn't much you can do about it. They can say whatever they want as is their right, and quite frankly it seems like they are only trying to help. Convincing someone that they are possibly doing more harm than good is rather arduous and in this case I would say not worth it.
I want to see exactly what this sight deems as a game 'unfit' for certain disabilities.
*goes off to google*
[sub]might help if you put up a link of the site in question[/sub]

good thinking, added link at the top.

 

[Morty815]

getting a tumbleweed vibe outta this thread