Sometimes, when you're fit and healthy, it's easy to forget just how difficult life can be for others. We take things for granted every day, and for this author, that includes playing video games. It's seems like such a simple thing, but not everyone is able to operate a DualShock 4 confidently enough to enjoy the PlayStation 4, and that breaks everyone at Push Square Towers' heart. Fortunately, it seems like Sony's taking some forward thinking measures to open gaming up to a few more.
While features like Suspend/Resume are certainly the highlights in the format's forthcoming firmware update v2.50, the new accessibility settings could quite literally change the game for many. Features available as part of the new system software's beta include text-to-speech, zoom, colour inversion, text enlargement, and more. Of course, we already know about the controller remapping options, too.
It's this latter inclusion, according to Steven Spohn of TheAbleGamers Foundation, which could end up being crucial for many. "We're talking millions of people who are suddenly going to have an easier time playing games," he told Huffington Post, noting that people with muscular diseases or disorders would theoretically be able to concoct control schemes that work around their ailments, potentially opening the door for them to play.
Still, while this is a step forward, Spohn was eager to point out that the solution is not yet perfect. Sony, for example, doesn't currently support third-party controllers on the PS4, which rules out custom button layouts tailored to a specific user's needs. That's a shame, and hopefully it's something that it'll rectify in the future. For now, though, these accessibility options – should they make it out of beta – seem like a solid first step.
Update: Just as we went to press, Sony confirmed that PS4 firmware update v2.50 will include the various accessibility options outlined above when it launches in the near future.
[source huffingtonpost.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 7
Great news, this is progress Sony can be proud of. Enabling gamers of all disabilities to play should be the number 1 priority. Zoom and colour inversion can be put to all kinds of uses, and even if you consider yourself completely able - colour blindness, long sightedness, arthritis will catch us all up eventually. Cant wait for this update. But as noted at the bottom of the piece 3rd party support for one handed or bespoke controllers wont be supported front end. which would reopen or open gaming unto an additional demographic.
Seems a little late; accessibility options should've been included from the start. I'd be mad as hell if I were essentially discriminated against (not really but still) because of something as simple as the text being illegibly small. At least we can all finally remap the buttons to suit our individual needs.
Some of those issues can be worked around now for most disabled gamers. Small text can be read by wearing magnifying glasses or by a support worker. Maybe even using filtered lenses will help with colour blindness. These things are usually in place anyway. Button mapping is unlikely to help a Disabled gamer. Pretty much all buttons are used in most games so if you struggle to press square to reload, you would struggle to press square to jump, swap weapons, crouch or whatever action is mapped to it. Until they allow third party controllers, then this will continue to be a problem. The controllers are a lot more complex than the DS3 with its Touchpad and other added features.
Being a disabled gamer myself (not mobile - I am able to use controllers) and prior to that I was a Carer working with disability, It's more likely those with disability in their hands/arms would more likely require a bespoke design than a third party 'clone'.
Button mapping to me seems more about customising the control scheme for those already able to use a DS4. A lot of games already allow us to alter the control system anyway
Nintendo should learn from this.
Gaming is the best invention ever for disabled people. I'm getting surgery next month and as a result I'll be gaming for a month straight I can tell you.. Good time for DA:I me thinks
@BAMozzy With colour blindness it creeps up on you and with the vast majority of people they don't even know. Luckily I was tested and struggle with light green colours so much so it may as well be invisible. In my case its colour perception and its bad enough to make me struggle with games, but not noticeable in the real world. I will try and post a colour perception test in the forums and you could be surprised. So for wearing filters (which are available so your bang on) its not practical for me to own a pair, so altering colours is the best option.
@themcnoisy Like I said there are work arounds for some of these issues - assuming you know you have them of course. Some games allow you to adjust the colours on enemy highlights for example.
I am not being negative about the additional changes as I think its great that Sony are enabling these features. If you are a Disabled gamer or suffer Colour Blindness (assuming you are aware of course) the chances are you are more likely to have something in place to help. I think that its likely to improve and make the experience easier for those already using a PS4 rather than draw new people in.
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