r/disabledgamers • u/JarroClayz • Aug 20 '26
IDEAS/YOUR PROBLEMS NEEDED
Hey all, recently I just completed a school project on making a one handed gaming controller and had an absoloute blast. I have my major project coming up, and I feel like I also wanna do something to help as many people as possible join the need. However.... not too sure where to go from here, so I need your help!
If you guys face any particular problems in gaming at all (preferably to do with the physical controller/console/games side of things rather than the games themselves, however any ideas are welcome), please let me know!
Thank you for your time.
2
u/Thyetomite Aug 20 '26
I have thumb tendinitis and really prefer flat circle pads to raised joysticks, I can have way longer play sessions with circle pads, but no one makes them really
1
u/clackups Aug 20 '26
Have you seen this experiment I posted? https://www.reddit.com/r/disabledgamers/s/LnprMUgmVd
It's unfinished, but generally, this approach may work for many people.
1
u/JarroClayz Aug 20 '26
hmmmmm i see. could be interesting to maybe mofidy one of those magnetically modular controllers to feature flat joystick modules, or other accessibility modules (e.g. easy to press/senstitive buttons for those with lower motor strength)...
2
u/Trahision Aug 20 '26
i know its not a controller, but im really struggling with sitting vs laying down and gaming ergonomics D:
1
u/JarroClayz Aug 21 '26
oooohh agreed, although its not a disability for me personally, i feel like i can't really get comfortable gaming whilst lying down cos the handhelds are too big to hold nowadays!!
2
u/ElianFinn Aug 20 '26
I have a problem using everything but the thumb, index finger, and middle finger on my right hand. My ideal controller I would be able to reach all the buttons with those fingers/without stretching. And have them activate on light touch instead of requiring a lot of muscle strength and control
2
u/JarroClayz Aug 21 '26
interesting, i definetly think this is a good problem to point out too. i feel like it would be so easy for the leading gaming companies to make buttons with adjustable sensitivity to help people who may not have the strength, its a shame they dont.
2
u/EvylFairy Aug 20 '26
This is probably impossible, but I have invisible disabilities. One of the hardest things with gaming is neurodivergent overstimulation. Games have subtitles and colour blind modes for accessibility, but I really need a pair of noise cancelling headphones that have a setting to limit game input when you first open a game. You know the thing where you load in and get blasted in the ear holes because the game volume always defaults to max? I also still need to hear subtle sounds like footsteps/enemy noise/hit indicators but tone down distressing fighting noises (gunfire, explosions, hacking, slashing, screaming, tires screeching, etc)
If that's too much, I also have a rare migraine disorder that starts with a palsy in my mouse hand and I end up yeeting it off my desktop. I also have tiny little woman hands. I really need a lightweight, ergonomic mouse that's tough as nails (it doesn't have to be wireless, just small, comfortable, and durable).
3
u/JarroClayz Aug 21 '26
funnily enough i was playing a shooter earlier and did get blasted by the noise upon respawning in. i personally feel like the area to improve accessibility in gaming the most is for those who are neurodivergent, but i feel like the soloutions lie into a different approach when designing the games/software themselves. I feel like maybe some sort of custom software that acts as a layer on top of the game your playing where you can toggle different noise catergories specifically would be really helpful here, but maybe beyond my coding skills haha. still, will definetly keep this idea in mind.
The mouse idea seems like it has a lot of potential too, might look into that. thank you so much for sharing!!
2
u/Komahina_Oumasai 2d ago
Having to manage 2 or 3 buttons at once and a joystick or WASD key is a nightmare lol
2
u/JarroClayz 2d ago
hmmmmm interesting, perhaps some sort of solution that uses multibinding could be a functional approach?? a lot of the problems ive been exploring seem to be with the complexity/force needed to manage multiple inputs so i'd be keen to come up with a product to solve it!!
1
u/RyleighN Aug 20 '26
Hi there. You want to know a huge problem I have? I can't play racing games with a single joystick, just like driving a wheelchair. I have implemented software in my macOS app called InputConfig, with the software setup of this, but the issue is I don't have the hardware to be able to send such a system out to, for example, a PlayStation.
For example, if a joystick could be customized for the ability to send both left joystick and right joystick outputs to the PlayStation Access Controller, we would be able to artificially translate a single joystick movement into double joystick. Which would allow input in a game like Gran Turismo, which only accepts separate input for gas and brake, along with turning.
The physical hardware to do this doesn't exist, unfortunately.
Single joystick -> Input manipulation => Access Controller receiving artificial dual joystick input
3
u/touchgadget Aug 22 '26
You might be able to do this using HID remapper. https://www.remapper.org/
gamepad -> USB -> HID remapper -> USB -> Brook FGC 2 -> USB -> PS51
u/RyleighN Aug 29 '26
Wow, I've never heard of the Brook FGC 2. Thank you for sharing. This might be the solution.
1
u/touchgadget Aug 30 '26
See my Arduino projects which use various ESP32-S3 boxes to bridge between a tablet running a web browser and various consoles. The tablet functions as a touch screen gamepad. Perhaps you can make InputConfig take the place of the tablet (http and websocket) and send gamepad output (stick movement, button presses) to the ESP32-S3.
https://github.com/controllercustom/tgpadps
Tablet -> WiFi -> ESP32-S3 -> USB -> Brooke FGC 2 -> USB -> PS5 consoleSimilar to tgpadps but for Xbox consoles.
https://github.com/controllercustom/tgpadxb
Tablet -> WiFi -> ESP32-S3 -> USB -> Mayflash Magic-X -> USB -> Xbox consoletgpadns is for Nintendo Switch consoles. Switch consoles do not require a Mayflash or Brook adapter.
https://github.com/controllercustom/tgpadns
Tablet -> WiFi -> ESP32-S3 -> USB -> Switch console2
u/JarroClayz Aug 20 '26
ohhhh good point. i've looked into the access controller before and that actually seems like a fundamental flaw of it.
3
u/clackups Aug 20 '26
The best approach would be finding someone in your proximity, so that you could discuss their needs and test your solution.
Other than that, just browse this subreddit. Many people explained what they're looking for.