This article was first published in the Game Accessibility Nexus website on March 27 2020. The resource for accessibility in videogames! To read the original article, click here.

When I struggled with using standard Xbox or PS4 controllers due to my muscle wasting condition (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) I called the great gaming charity Special Effect who introduced me to the Titan One (T1) gaming adapter. This crossover device allows you to fully mod your controller and gives you the choice to use the most accessible controller or Keyboard & Mouse for you on any console. However, don’t make the mistake that I did by thinking that it is just plug-and-play. To achieve this, you need to connect the Titan One to a console and computer so you can access your programmed scripts.

In this series of guides, I will explain the basics of this language and hopefully help you discover ways to make your gaming experience more accessible. Please bear in mind that I don’t claim to be an expert coder, I’m partially self-taught and have had some assistance. There is a Titan Two device, but it requires a completely new script language which I haven’t learned yet.

What You Need

To create your own button/joystick remaps, toggles, combos you will need to download the GTuner Pro software from the ConsoleTuner website. The GTuner Pro software has an intuitive interface for you to quickly and easily program the Titan One to your own needs. It is straightforward to use once you learn the scripting basics. There are 2 input methods: Visual Scripting allows you to drag-and-drop ID Functions to create a sequence which can then be converted into scripting language.

Connecting the Hardware

The Titan One device has 3 important ports to understand in order to make sure everything runs smoothly.  

• The main USB on the T1 plugs straight into the console
• The USB port passthrough connects your controller to the T1
• The Program Micro-USB at the side connects the T1 to your PC

Please note that in order to enable controller crossover you will require both controllers for authentication. To initially authenticate your controller on a different console you:

1. Plug original controller into the USB passthrough
2. Disconnect original controller
3. Finally plug in the controller of your choice
4. Start gaming

Creating your Scripts

Now that the hardware nitty-gritty is over and done with, I will demonstrate how simple and easy it is to remap controls using the GTuner Pro software.   

All scripts require a main section where advanced scripting happens. Always remember to open and close the main section with curly brackets { and }.

Button remaps must be written before the Main section otherwise the script will not work. You can remap buttons for most PlayStation, XBOX or Nintendo controllers. The Main section will remain blank for remapping, but it is still a crucial part of the script otherwise you will receive an error message when you come to compile it.

I will demonstrate how to remap buttons on a PS4 controller. In this example the L2 button originally is used to shoot and the R2 is for aiming. I will interchange their functionalities with a couple of lines.

Remapping Aim & Shoot button

remap PS4_L2 –> PS4_R2;        //Shoot     

remap PS4_R2 –> PS4_L2;         //Aim    

1. Always begin by typing the command remap otherwise the swapped actions will not be detected as script
2. Write the button with the original input being remapped which is PS4_L2 (Aiming action)  
3. Adding arrows is optional but I recommend their addition for clarity
4. Now write the button input you would prefer to use instead which is PS4_R2 (Shooting action)
5. Always end remapping sequences with the correct syntax, a semi-colon ‘;’ otherwise you will receive a syntax error
6. Having a comment with the name of the action is optional but I recommend the addition for clarity. Comments are the text after the //.
7. Now repeat the above steps to remap the Aim button from PS4_R2 to PS4_L2 to close the remap loop

It is possible to create remaps between a PS4 and XB1 controller crossover, the steps are similar but the remap sequence must end with the XB1 button output: (see example below)

remap PS4_L2   –> XB1_RT;        //Shoot        

remap PS4_R2  –> XB1_LT;        //Aim    

Troubleshooting tips:

• If you receive a syntax error when compiling the script just check that you haven’t forgotten to include a semi-colon at the end of a remap sequence

If you want to add a function on top of an existing function, then don’t write the remap in a closed loop. (see example below) In this case we are not interchanging the actions between UP & DOWN, but instead making DOWN work as UP. This way both buttons will perform the same action.  

remap PS4_UP  –> PS4_DOWN;

Now this guide will demonstrate advanced remapping scripts including a sequence of 3 buttons. The remap is written in the same format as before. The trick here is to write these remaps in an unbroken loop. (see example from Arkham Knight below)  

remap PS4_L1  –> PS4_TRIANGLE;     //Counter 

remap PS4_TRIANGLE   –> PS4_CIRCLE;    //Stun   

remap PS4_CIRCLE –> PS4_L1;                 //Call Batmobile

A Main section should always be included when writing any script including remaps with opening ‘{‘ and closing ‘}’ curly brackets otherwise your script will fail.

I hope this introductory guide to the Titan One device and how to write your own remapping script has been helpful. Now you have the option to customise your controller to suit your abilities. In the next guide we will dive straight into toggle scripts.

Technology is woven into the fabric of modern society, it’s our road to the future. Personally, technology allows me to live with autonomy, independence and most of all happiness.

The beauty of the technology industry is that it exists in a constant state of evolution pushing against the barrier of possibility to instigate change. It’s a platform to create the future, right now. The question is would this future be accessible or inclusive? Disabled people are an avid user-base of technology so designing for accessibility is crucial for any industry. Accessibility is basically usability.

Hector Minto the Technical Evangelist for Accessibility at Microsoft is at the forefront of advocating accessibility, assistive technology and inclusion.

As an MDUK Trailblazer passionate about accessible gaming and assistive technology, I along with various other Trailblazers were invited to attend the Pre-Launch of the Microsoft Store London which opened on 11^th July on Oxford Circus.

“Our flagship Microsoft Store in London represents a unique way to deliver on our mission to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more.” – from the Microsoft London Store website.

[alt text: Group photo with Cindy Rose, Chris Capossela and Me kitted up with a chin switch, connected to an Xbox Adaptive Controller]

Before I write about the Microsoft Store, I want to thank the whole Microsoft team. Especially Cindy Rose the CEO of Microsoft UK for speaking to me, her dedication to inclusivity is evident. I was happy to tangibly illustrate how important the store is not just through the Xbox Adaptive Controller but through the community aspect.

The Microsoft Store has been designed from the beginning with accessibility thinking, creating an inclusive and accessible space for everybody. The main shop floor is where you get hands-on with the tech, Surface, Windows, Office, Xbox, PC gaming, HoloLens mixed-reality. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, providing valuable tech support.

The floor has a fantastic surprise though, a McLaren Senna kitted out with awesome tech. That’s as much as I’m willing to say as I don’t want to spoil it!

The Store is the perfect educational place for schools to teach their students all about coding through games like Minecraft. Basically, Future-Proofing Education. Businesses can also use the place to upskill employees. Microsoft wants to empower everybody through the awesome power of ‘assistive’ technology.

The best part of the store for me is the inclusive gaming space. Environmental Accessibility = Empowerment. Usually, I’m not able to access gaming away from home but here it was different. I didn’t realise how necessary inclusion was to my sense of worth until I actually saw the Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC), with switches and mounts everywhere. Environmental Accessibility equals empowerment. It was quite a liberating experience to feel fully included as standard which best of all keeps the focus on gaming.

[For a bit of context, I usually play single-player games with captivating narratives, the huge RPGs or Sci-Fi epics. Surprisingly I have never jumped into the world of multiplayer especially FPSs.]

I had a blast playing Forza Horizon 4 with a fellow Trailblazer Judith Merry. The XAC and the Co-pilot feature on Xbox allowed us to share controls, my chin switch was for acceleration and hand switch for braking whilst Judith handled the steering. It brought a sense of freedom and teamwork to a single-player game, instead of worrying about the controls we could just enjoy the game together. At times we were terrible, if we saw a tree or house, we would crash into it. Was that fun? Absolutely.

On the second day, I was privileged to play Gears of War 4 with SightlessKombat the awesome gamer with no sight. I was in charge of shooting and melee, we had to find a rhythm and flow so communication was key. It was such a profound experience gaining a deeper insight into a completely different perspective. Excuse the pun but it was eye-opening to game his way, using sound cues instead of visuals. I never in a million years thought that it would be possible for a blind gamer and physically disabled gamer to play co-op. Our teamwork was pretty amazing, for the first time, I could enjoy gaming away from my home setup. I’m glad that Cindy Rose had the opportunity to witness this important moment.

It demonstrates how crucial intersectionality is, challenging our perceptions and building a bridge towards a better inclusive world. All thanks to the XAC and the Microsoft Store London.

I couldn’t leave without buying new technology, so welcome to the family Surface Headphones! Fun Fact: I might have been the first customer at the Microsoft Store.

The future of technology has just landed in London, I’d recommend that you visit it!

To read the MDUK Trailblazer version of this blog go to -> https://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/blog/diary-of-a-trailblazer-microsoft-store-pre-launch-event/

 

The Post-Apocalyptic game genre has recently bloomed, releasing the delightful bounty of Far Cry: New Dawn, Metro: Exodus, Days Gone & the soon to be released Rage 2 & Borderlands 3. These examples of games set in the aftermath of an Apocalypse suggest that the world will either be:

• Slathered in pink, neon, vivid colours, powers, mutants, fancy weapons and explosions. Glorious carnage.
• Reclaimed by nature, ready to extinguish the humans prey struggling to survive in any way possible. Basically, our days are numbered. Wonderful.

A post-apocalypse is a symbolic (what if?) future in which the existence of humanity has been threatened somehow by nuclear war or virus outbreaks. So, nature starts reclaiming Earth unfettered by the environmental devastation of a growing human population. Without advanced technology, humans are forced to revert back to their simple hunter/gatherer origins. It’s in this world that a new era for humanity begins, a glimpse into actually living rather than just surviving. Horizon: Zero Dawn has a beautiful post-apocalyptic world, a great narrative exploring what makes us human? and portraying nature in its purest form.

The use of mutated or zombie-like enemies goes one step further by giving us a tangible example of societal decay, the mindless consumption of the previous world. The parallels with reality can be quite shocking if you look at the current plastic crisis or global warming, a throwaway society full of advances forgetting to care for the world they live in.

The Cordyceps fungus in The Last of Us is symbolic of how the media around us can slowly corrupt our mind, mutating our thoughts and ultimately our actions. The virus removes our perception, robbing us of clarity by firstly attacking the eyes. Beautifully tied into the ending. Ellie asking Joel “Swear to me that everything you said about the Fireflies is true.” Experiencing the previous hospital scene, we know that Joel is lying when he says “Yes”, metaphorically illustrating his corrupted perception. That lie waiting to mutate.

The Freaker Horde in Days Gone mirror the toxicity of social media crowd dynamics, finding the inherent power in anonymity in order to troll a minority. Asking the question “Can one-person weather this storm alone?” It explores the link with mental health, the tagline “This world comes for you” is a common theme in depression, the feeling that the world is against you, that you’re alone and unwanted. But you’ll keep going, you have the strength to persist, to exist.

Personally, living with a disability draws easy parallels with existing in a world out to get you. Instead of zombies clogging up elevator space we have people who could easily walk up the stairs clogging it up.  Instead of escaping a zombie by hiding inside a shop, we would get eaten while facing the steps.

Thank you for reading my post, apocalypse.  

Can you imagine a world without access to the Internet, Social Media or YouTube? Well, for many disabled people computers can be inaccessible due to keyboard and mice design or from the lack of alternatives available.

Writing from a personal perspective, I was forced into the tough task of transitioning from a Laptop trackpad to a PC with a mouse. Initially, I resigned to the fact that it would be impossible for me to use a regular mouse. Facing this obstacle made me feel powerless, unable to communicate with friends, play games or continue my work.

My PC setup is completely mouse-only however I effectively use the inbuilt Microsoft On-Screen Keyboard. A mouse is placed between both of my hands, whilst my wrists rest on 2 sponges so that my fingers end up at the right height to reach the mouse.

Let me paint a picture for you of the biological barriers I face. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy causes progressive muscle deterioration, so presently I can only move my hands and fingers. It also drastically effects my energy levels, causing me to quickly fatigue especially after prolonged repetitive movements.

I decided to persevere in my search for the right input device by testing the different options of mice available. A tough task when there isn’t a one-stop shop for disabled people to try out accessibility devices before purchase. So, after numerous purchases of unsuitable mice, from touchpads, trackballs, upright mice even joysticks. I finally found the perfect mouse for me.

Click for the Logitech G502 Video Review

The Logitech Gaming G502 Hero. It ticked all the boxes, clearly designed with quality in mind, reliability, innovative customisable features and user comfort. Aesthetically the G502 looks gorgeous, especially with the bright RGB lights flashing.

What attracted me to the G502 was the 11 programmable buttons, adjustable sensitivity levels and the lightweight 121g design. It also comes with 6 adjustable weights to further tailor the mouse to you. The mouse has a unique feature to instantly swap between a notched scroll-wheel to a hyper-fast spinning one with a click of a button. Perfect for either reading a comic book online or should I say reading an article.

The G502 is ready for constant heavy usage, killing aliens is such a gruelling task so you expect to hear a reliable click from your well-oiled machine. The mechanical microswitches also activate with lightweight pressure so ideal to decrease my level of muscle fatigue. Increasing the DPI sensitivity levels enables the cursor to smoothly move around the whole screen with only minimal finger movement. The rubberized texture of the mouse is comfortable in your hand, with good grip. I always like to put my custom stamp on everything, so I further modified the grip by sticking Velcro strips in optimal positions for my fingers.

 

The Logitech mice all connect to the Logitech Software which it’s intuitive and easy to use. It allows you to program commands and macros to each of the 11 buttons, for example, I have radically altered the button for Right Click. The internal memory-slots store up to 5 profiles so you can take your personal setup anywhere. My favourite programmable command is called G-Shift, pressing it brings up a second layer of buttons ready for customisation. Just like a box of chocolates.

After speaking to Chris Pate, the Awesome (Logitech Gaming Project Manager) and discussing the unintentional accessibility of the G502 mouse. I thought that an ambidextrous layout would be better for me due to how I hold a mouse. I also was in the need for a wireless mouse for use at conferences, so Chris kindly sent me the new ambidextrous wireless Logitech G903.

Click for the Logitech G903 Video Review

The G903 has a fully-configurable button layout, 110g weight with an ambidextrous design ideal for all grip types. It functions superbly exactly like the G502 but with even more advanced functionality. The G903 mouse can switch between the LIGHTSPEED wireless and wired modes without any lag whatsoever. This portability caught my eye, as the wireless nature allows me to use my Microsoft Surface Pro 6 away from home. The buttons are all well positioned and as comfortable to press as the G502.

The Logitech Powerplay Wireless Charging Pad is revolutionary allowing constant power to your mouse through integrated wireless charging capability, with no lag or wires to halt your continuous battle to protect Earth.

I’m greatly appreciative of the work done by Chris Pate and Logitech for their innovative user-focused design. Accessible Technology like the G502 & G903 enable me to live a meaningful and productive existence, advances in the technology industry are vital for the evolution of accessibility.

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