Wheelchair Simulator Game Prototype

posted on Jun 29 by Amelia in the Disability News, Fun, Technology, Wheelchair Accessibility, Wheelchair Technology category

A wheelchair simulation game, controlled by a real wheelchair, requires a player to “escape the maze.” The simulator came in 2nd place at a worldwide Game Changers competition. 

The goal of the contest is to present an idea and design for a game that can improve lives or inspire new behaviors, whether personally, professionally or communally, to create change. In short, design a game that aims to create change by improving lives or inspiring new behaviors.

Playful Shark, a leading game development studio in Israel, created the chair simulator by hooking up a wheelchair to a computer with magnets to measure the speed and direction of each wheel. The head of the project team, “Goldy,” explained that the original concept was very different than the current concept.

“The original and “Gamer-like” concept was to set the game in a dark hospitalized world, where the medical staff (zombies?) are actually the bad ones, and the disabled hero’s goal is to fight his way out of the maze. I was captivated by the idea that the “poor” handicapped person is actually the action hero who gains control over the hostile environment. I found the metaphor rather empowering, and also imagined a scenario where a (real life) disabled player will actually find the game easier then the ordinary player,” explained Goldy.

Judges liked the wheelchair driving simulator because it makes people aware of experiences of being disabled and demonstrates the importance of accessibility to participants.  Many found new respect now aware of what people in wheelchairs overcome every day.  The games were judged based on “overall effectiveness,” “creativity,” “practicality” and “aesthetics.”

1st Place Winner – be-B Braille Education Ball

As for who came in first place, that award goes to the be-B Braille Education Ball.  This game allows users, blind and sighted, the ability to learn braille in a playful way.  The ball has a peg for each letter of the alphabet with braille on one side and latin on the other.  The toy speaks the letter that is touched and emits a chime when the peg goes in the correct hole.