Traditional video game hardware can be largely inaccessible for gamers with physical disabilities. In this course, students design and prototype adaptive video game controllers that open gaming to players of all abilities. Students will learn how to work with users to understand their needs and experiences while considering factors such as limited mobility, range of motion, grip strength, and comfort to ensure that controllers are both functional and enjoyable for diverse users. A sociotechnical approach to engineering design will emphasize how design choices can directly improve someone’s ability to play and connect through games. Students will learn:

• Socially engaged design methods (interviews, observations, and integration of stakeholder feedback)

• Frameworks and approaches for designing for users with disabilities

• Approaches to prototyping, from low-fidelity sketches to functional systems

• History of video game hardware and current adaptive gaming technologies