The video game market has been ever expanding so that every player can play, and this can be shown in cheaper release costs of certain platforms, and the availability of online sales and purchases. But cost and access to platforms is only a few of the many ways video game companies opt to include everyone. In this blog I will be talking about the many ways that companies are trying to include everyone in the fun with games.

One major event in recent years is the Xbox adaptive controller. The Xbox adaptive controller is a fully customizable, DJ board sized game controller that allows the user to make it easier for a disabled player to play. Depending on the limitations a person may have on their ability to use traditional controllers, many can make the adaptive controller work for them. This could include people who only have the use of one hand or who have less strength or limited mobility, or even no hands at all.

Most people don’t need to use the adaptive controller because Xbox controllers have been made to suit a wide range of abilities and include some people who are disabled in some way.  There are many people who have a disability and they become incredible gamers using the traditional or adaptive controllers. 

In May of 2018, Xbox aired an advertisement for the controller that put out a message saying that video games are the way people bond, and that helping kids who are handicapped play games is crucial to their social development and feeling included in developmental activities. I think that what Xbox did is a massive breakthrough in getting everyone involved in the fun.

Another huge accessibility update that many people don’t talk about is the increased sensitivity of controllers. I was diagnosed with ADHD and a fine motor skill impediment, so playing games has been difficult because my reaction time is quite delayed. I find that in recent times, or at least since the Xbox1/PS4 release, I have been able to keep up with my friends’ skill levels in games because the controllers are more high-tech and sensitive to actions. This is also true for me when I game on the computer because I purposely purchased a keyboard that was more sensitive to touch, and I have actually noticed that my typing speed has gotten significantly better since I purchased it.

I think that at the rate we are going, soon it will be widely accessible for everyone to play games at a competitive level. I know that with the “primitive” gaming consoles, my performance was far lower due to my limitation, however since the newest generation of consoles came out, and the technology became much more responsive I have been able to keep up with my friends when we play competitively.  I can only imagine that the feeling I got when I first experienced playing a game more like it was intended can only be far greater in people who previously were not even able to play games.