Key Takeaways:
- Adaptive gaming technology is opening new doors for players with physical disabilities, providing them with alternative ways to interact with games.
- A partnership between Orlando Health and Full Sail University is working to develop and implement adaptive gaming technology, both for entertainment and rehabilitation purposes.
- The collaboration aims to help patients while giving students hands-on experience in developing accessible technology.
- The goal is to expand access to adaptive technology beyond entertainment, into everyday life.
- The effort is proving that in adaptive gaming, there is no "game over" — only new ways to play.
Introduction to Adaptive Gaming Technology
Video games are a daily escape for billions of people worldwide, offering a chance to compete, explore, and connect. However, for players with physical disabilities, traditional controllers can make that world difficult or impossible to access. This is where adaptive gaming technology comes in, providing alternative ways for players to interact with games. Health and education leaders in Central Florida are working to change the gaming landscape through a partnership between Orlando Health and Full Sail University, focusing on adaptive gaming technology that doubles as both entertainment and rehabilitation.
The Barrier to Gaming
For players like Adrian Araiz, the barrier to gaming was physical. After breaking his back, Araiz lost the ability to fully use his fingers, making traditional video game controllers difficult or impossible to operate. However, with the help of adaptive gaming technology, Araiz has been able to reopen the world of gaming. He was introduced to specialized equipment that allows players to interact with games in new ways, including devices that can be controlled with limited hand movement or other alternative inputs. Araiz is now able to play games like Apex and Minecraft, and is even exploring new technologies like a bionic arm that can be controlled with his brain.
The Partnership Between Orlando Health and Full Sail University
The technology that Araiz is using is part of a collaboration between Orlando Health and Full Sail University, aimed at blending gaming, rehabilitation, and innovation. Organizers say the partnership is designed to help patients while also giving students hands-on experience in developing accessible technology. Jacob Kaplan, director of esports business strategy at Full Sail University, explains that the partnership ties in what Full Sail teaches, both educationally and technologically, with what Orlando Health brings to the table in terms of healthcare. At the Orlando Health Fortress, Full Sail students are receiving scholarships to continue designing adaptive tools that can be used not only in gaming but also in everyday life.
Expanding Access to Adaptive Technology
The goal of the partnership is to expand access to adaptive technology beyond entertainment, into everyday life. Christine Davidson, senior director of ambulatory rehab operations at Orlando Health, explains that the students are utilizing what they’ve learned to create something that can help folks who need to use adaptive tech in everyday activities. This means that the technology developed through this partnership has the potential to make a significant impact on the daily lives of people with physical disabilities. For Araiz, the impact is personal and immediate, as he is now able to access the world of gaming in ways that were previously impossible for him.
The Future of Adaptive Gaming
Advocates say that the effort proves that in adaptive gaming, there is no "game over" — only new ways to play. The partnership between Orlando Health and Full Sail University is paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible gaming industry. As the technology continues to develop and improve, it is likely that we will see even more innovative solutions for players with physical disabilities. The future of adaptive gaming is exciting, and it has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of people around the world. With the help of partnerships like the one between Orlando Health and Full Sail University, the world of gaming is becoming more accessible and inclusive, one adaptive technology at a time.
