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Under Fire.
Challenge.
Create a local multiplayer Unreal Engine game based around making a custom accessible controller for a student with physical disabilities.
Action.
We started by creating a rough idea of what our game would be. We talked with our accessibility partner to determain what kind of games he found interesting and fun. We settled on a tank game, with this in mind we started thinking about how we wanted our controller to function. We wanted our controller to almost simulate the real movements an operator of a tank might make, including a large crank wheel, and a lever for movement. With an idea in mind, we moved to talking with our accessibility partner to determine what movement and actions are uncomfortable or not possible for him. From there we made mock ups of how we wanted our controller to function. Using iterative design, we met a few more times with our partner to make changes to the controller to better fit his movement. When we settled on a good layout, we began constructing the controller utilizing scrap wood, arcade buttons and joysticks, and an Arduino to control the inputs and transfer those to a usable method for Unreal Engine.
Result.
The final product allowed our accessibility partner to play comfortably, creating a more inclusive gaming experience. While we are proud of the outcome, given more time, we would have refined the controller further, turning it into a fully usable product our partner could keep and use with other games. Additionally, our game was far from complete, and with more time, we would have expanded gameplay by adding more levels, refining mechanics, and implementing player-vs-player multiplayer to enhance the overall experience.
Our prototype and finished controller
The controls. The clothespin controls the aiming of the turret, the lever on the right controls movement of the tank, and the button in the middle fires the gun. This setup allows our accessibility client to use the controller comfortably.
The controller internals + circuit diagram
Joystick testing with Arduino and Unreal -- Clothespin aiming joystick, chosen for its ease of use. Limiters to simplify hand movement.
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