We've worked with SpecialEffect on this list of games which aims to highlight games that are good for people with reduced gross motor control.
Special Effect is a charity that aims to put fun and inclusion back into the lives of people with physical disabilities by helping them to play video games. They use technology ranging from modified joypads to eye control to find a way for people to play to the very best of their abilities.
Last time we talked about game options which may work well for those with difficulty using fine motor movements. Today we will talk about game options which be more accessible for those who mainly have fine motor control instead. Several conditions which can cause or impact a reduction in gross motor control include; chronic pain, Muscular Dystrophy, Dyspraxia and some Neurological conditions, to name a few examples. People with these and similar conditions might identify with some of the following phrases:
- “I find it easier to play if I rest the controller rather than hold it”
- “My fingers have more strength when things are positioned well”
- “I can’t move my arms much, but I can move my fingers and toes well”
- “I find joysticks easier than buttons"
- ”I find it easier if my hands can stay in one place”
- ”My body doesn’t move much, but I can move my head really well”
Alongside options such as mounting or resting the controller to alleviate the need to hold and use the controller at the same time, it may also be easier with games that are remappable, require only one input at a time (joystick or button) or have options to reduce button inputs (either for Quick Time Events or permanently).
Additionally having low force options such as a lighter joystick and lightweight external switches using a switch interface like the Xbox Adaptive Controller or Hori Flex could make access easier. Games that meet some of the following criteria:
As well as the games we have picked out below that meet these criteria, there are some common searches on the database that are good for people with reduced fine motor control:
1 Stick + 1 Button,
1 Stick,
1 Button,
Remap Buttons or
Remap Keys,
Low Pressure,
Rapid Pressing Optional,
Adjust joystick sensitivity and Co-Piloting with
Xbox games.
We hope this list helps you discover games that work for you. If you are struggling to game due to access issues caused by a physical disability do contact SpecialEffect who will offer support free of charge, as capacity allows.
This list includes 19 games from the last 31 years, with 1,330 likes. They come from a range of different genres and play-styles and are all good games if you want to .
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