She's Got Game

I like to hang out on some forums, and I saw a post about a quadriplegic gamer who is looking to get custom controller mapping for video games.  Basically what that means is that the gamer has the option to customize what each button did on the controller for his/her games (like instead of fire being right trigger, making it the A button).
Games like MW2 have some different options, but they are set options.  Before you have your argument though, watch this video of him playing MW2:



Unbelievable right?

He would like the button remapping functionality to make playing easier for him, which makes sense.
Well, I admit that there would be some cons to this.  Playing games like World of Warcraft, where there are “talent trees” (I believe games like Guild Wars and Warhammer have similar things), it would become a challenge to figure out what was the best button remapping, and potentially give some people advantage over others.

The only time I see this really coming into play would be at professional events like Major League Gaming, but if you look at their rules, they are so strict about their requirements, that a certain button mapping would probably be included.  Otherwise though, I do not see any problems with it.  I believe the pros outweigh the cons, because the cons can be overcome while the pros can’t.

Recently announced though was the rice bag controller.  The Escapist Magazine did an article on it a couple of weeks ago.  The idea of this controller is rather amazing.  Basically, an Xbox 360 controller has been taken apart with all of the wiring intact.  At the back at each button, there is a Velcro piece.  The Velcro piece then sticks to a bag filled with rice, so the buttons can be placed anywhere on the controller. I can see how this probably would not be a viable option for the problem above though.  He uses his chin to hit the buttons, and he may need something more sturdy than Velcro and a rice bag.
I do not know why the gaming industry has not already made these advances within their own companies though.  This is a great option for disabled people who may not be able to go and play sports or do other activities.

I personally hope that both of these controller options go through.  What do you think?  Do you think that the game industry should make these advances?

Also, if you would like to sign the petition, click here to go to his main website about the petition. 

-Rachel