Dis-Able Gamers

Earlier this week I gave a presentation on the topic of Disabled videogamers and their social context represented in the games medium. It covered areas of concern that disabled videogamers face and also addressed the topic of social networks available to these players.  I also thought that many of these themes may parallel across the two disciplines of study that I am currently assigned to.

To introduce the topic I have attached a link of the prezzie file that maybe viewed as a basic reference and support. http://prezi.com/f6hdl5c8-opu/edit/#0_5277991

Able Gamers
http://www.ablegamers.com/
The able gamers foundation was setup to provide the some 33million disabled users of the, some 11billion, videogame industry with a forum and environment to communicate and interact. The site has various forum feeds and 'newsfeed' like visuals that inform the community with the latest links and info going on in the videogame industry right now. The foundations introduction video, below, provides a wonderful framework for any interest in this avenue.  

BrolyLegs
As my interest in the topic grew I research a little deeper and found a young gamer by the name of Mike 'BrolyLegs' Begum who has been crippled with Arthrogryposis his whole life. Contradictory to his physical impediment, it seems that Mike has found legs in the videogame Super Street Fighter 4 where he is the world champ Chun Li player. From enduring such terrible circumstances, and coming out relatively on top, Mike is a true warrior and motivator to many around him offering inspiration and determination. Below is an interview about his case.

Begum has a goal to own a videogame store and is currently studying at university doing a business degree.

Second Life
To further my involvement of this avenue I decided to interact with a social network and see for myself what kind of interaction and representation the disabled community had in the social network medium of Second Life. Upon a little research online I had come across a fact that there was a virtual bar that users could go to and 'potentially' hang out with other disabled users. Now I say 'potentially' for the issue arose that one need not be disabled to interact and socialise, however it seemed a prerequisite to be using a wheelchair. Wheelies was the bar in question however much to my disappointment it seemed that this location was no longer in operation. Further digging revealed that there was another location called Taupo that offered a similar service. Taupo, as in Taupo New Zealand? I wondered if this was sign and thus it was that I undertook the experience.

I teleported to the location and had a quick introduction to the site, donned my wheelchair and took for the bar. Sadly however, my task was to no avail and could not be completed as there were no other users online for me to interact with. This didn't stop me thou and I took off to a new location to see what my response would be in other social circles.

London was the next local, and I came across a group of people all gather toward a beach mingling by the seaward view. I wheeled myself up and quietly joined the circle. I wasn't sure the kind of reception I was to receive, so I played it gently. After a good ten minutes of listening to the mic enhanced chat that was happening between three of the users, I typed my way into existence and asked how I could dance like the clown looking fella to my right. After some required comic banter about "putting my right foot in and my left foot in" and shaking them all about, I was shortly greeted with some action windows and a series of dance moves to choose from. "Whoo hoo" I exclaimed in type text as I proceeded to dance around, wheelchair still attached. Shortly an audible comment arose from a gentleman "Bird" sitting on the wire to my right whom stated, "That's it you got it! I bet you wish you could do that in real life a buddy."
So that was it I concluded, I could already start to feel a sort of prejudice and regard as other for being seated in a wheelchair. I left the circle and danced in around the corner. I think I will go back to Taupo.


Concluding
Even only after a few mild interactions with the media forms already I have seen many reasons that support the benefits of videogames from a disabled perspective. With SNS supporting players and family and offering  a monitored environment for all to interact, to games that are increasingly involving accessibility factors and requirements, and networks were one can literally "paint themselves into being"; videogames and disabilities are become increasingly joined and merged together. Thank goodness.

Peace D