Blind gamer sues Sony

webcrawler2050 · 09-11-2009, 10:05

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/11...ny_sued_gamer/

Very interesting read.. opinions?

Peter_ · 09-11-2009, 10:15

Typically American Ambulance chasing which can lead to higher costs for games if it actually went to court and won.

I think this comment says it all from gamers forum Able Gamers http://www.ablegamers.com/general-ga...statement.html

Graham M · 09-11-2009, 10:16

I'd be interesetd to hear Dilli's opinion

**Damien** · 09-11-2009, 10:16

It's a hard thing to make accessible to be fair...Maybe some games yes but others would be very difficult to make accessible to blind users as they can be a very visual medium.

Graham M · 09-11-2009, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

It's a hard thing to make accessible to be fair...Maybe some games yes but others would be very difficult to make accessible to blind users as they can be a very visual medium.

Very much agree with you, I was trying to put it into words but failed miserably, your post is basically what I was going to try and say

Peter_ · 09-11-2009, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham M

I'd be interesetd to hear Dilli's opinion

That is I comment I want to read as well.

Taf · 09-11-2009, 10:23

I think I'll sue the Wii 'cos I'm still useless at golf, tennis, areobics, etc... depsite the hype...

dilli-theclaw · 09-11-2009, 10:37

What do I think? - All I ask is that people and companies make REASONABLE adjustments for access.

I used to play games like everquest and everquest 2 - or eve online - but can't do so anymore so I just moved onto something different.

I play fps' now like cod 4. I can't see it very well at all, but you'd be surprised at how well I do with a ball of red woll

I can still make out movement, albeit distorted.

There has to come a point where it's just not worth it / pratical to spend the money implementing these things. For example take my braille, only 18,000 people in the uk actually read it, does this mean we should make ALL manuals in boxes also sent out with braille in them? no - but I can nine times out of 10 ask for one to be sent out to me.

Would I sue sony to make games more accessable? no. Would i kick up a fuss when I go to get my pills and they don't have braille on the box for example - too right I would.

That's the kind of priority I'd like to see for accesability (for me - selfish I know but it's just my opinion and all

) not games.

Anyway, just my little rant, sorry for talking poop. Normal service will now be resumed

edit (sorry) - plus of course there are SO many different levels of visual impairment I don't think you COULD make everyone happy.

Peter_ · 09-11-2009, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas T

What do I think? - All I ask is that people and companies make REASONABLE adjustments for access.

I used to play games like everquest and everquest 2 - or eve online - but can't do so anymore so I just moved onto something different.

I play fps' now like cod 4. I can't see it very well at all, but you'd be surprised at how well I do with a ball of red woll

I can still make out movement, albeit distorted.

There has to come a point where it's just not worth it / pratical to spend the money implementing these things. For example take my braille, only 18,000 people in the uk actually read it, does this mean we should make ALL manuals in boxes also sent out with braille in them? no - but I can nine times out of 10 ask for one to be sent out to me.

Would I sue sony to make games more accessable? no. Would i kick up a fuss when I go to get my pills and they don't have braille on the box for example - too right I would.

That's the kind of priority I'd like to see for accesability (for me - selfish I know but it's just my opinion and all

) not games.

Anyway, just my little rant, sorry for talking poop. Normal service will now be resumed

Your priorities are quite right Thomas as it your health thats more important than the latest game, so you are without doubt not talking poop.

Stuart · 09-11-2009, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

It's a hard thing to make accessible to be fair...Maybe some games yes but others would be very difficult to make accessible to blind users as they can be a very visual medium.

Imagine Tomb Raider if it had some sort of description option (much like the audio description option on DVDs)...

"Lara is wearing a bright green short sleeve T shirt and brown shorts. She is carrying two guns. To her left is a large rock. To her right is a rock with a ledge on it. There is a tiger approaching."

Of course, Lara would likely be dead before the description finished..

This guy needs to get a life. There are more important things in life than gaming. The Law shouldn't be used to earn someone a few bucks because he can't play a game.

Graham M · 09-11-2009, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Imagine Tomb Raider if it had some sort of description option (much like the audio description option on DVDs)...

"Lara is wearing a bright green short sleeve T shirt and brown shorts. She is carrying two guns. To her left is a large rock. To her right is a rock with a ledge on it. There is a tiger approaching."

Of course, Lara would likely be dead before the description finished..

Sounds a bit like an audio version of Zork to me

Stuart · 09-11-2009, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham M

Sounds a bit like an audio version of Zork to me

True, I was thinking that as I typed it..

**Damien** · 09-11-2009, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Imagine Tomb Raider if it had some sort of description option (much like the audio description option on DVDs)...

"Lara is wearing a bright green short sleeve T shirt and brown shorts. She is carrying two guns. To her left is a large rock. To her right is a rock with a ledge on it. There is a tiger approaching."

"The view is obstructed by her massive breasts"

Sounds about right for the older games anyway

09-11-2009, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

"The view is obstructed by her massive breasts"

Sounds about right for the older games anyway

Are these games available? if so tell me where

( thinking " Time to get more toilet tissue in )

09-11-2009, 12:52

I can see how not being able to play would impact a disabled person as it is something that is affecting me i love my pc and gaming and use them to take my mind off the pain sometimes but my arms are becoming more limited in movement to the point i have trouble moving a mouse sometimes. Do i expect any company to do something in their games to enable me to play longer no of course i don't and neither should this guy really.

Should companys do what they can in practical terms to include all people in the playing of a game yes they should but there has to be a realistic approach that in terms of sight inpairment and video games there are extemely limiting factors in what any company can do.

As has been said there are just too many disabilities and too many degress of those disabilities for any company to ever satisfy all so no matter what they do they will always be losing someone. But this is an american and they do love their lawsuits so not really surprised and i suppose this should have been expected at some point by the games companys.

Any disability brings with it exclusion from activity of various kinds and it is one of the things that is hardest for disabled people to come to terms with but there are right and wrong ways to do that and this is the wrong way i expect sony will probably make a small payout to make this person go away and none of this will have any real effect.