PS3 gamer overcomes disability with custom controller, triumphs in l33t3st way imaginable

Yeah, we here at Engadget are hardened cynics -- our cold, black hearts have closed off to all but the most extraordinary tech-related stories, and we don't talk about the triumph of the human spirit a lot, but PlayStation 3 forum user KitsuneYume has us stepping outside our usual box today. With the help of an engineer, he made an "adaptive controller" that allows him to game with the pros despite serious disabilities. 20 out of 25 functions are accounted for by the system, and he uses his fingers, toes, and even his tongue to play -- your regular, everyday controller mod it ain't. The creator said he uploaded the pictures to make sure folks who might need it are aware the technology exists, as he contacted Sony a while back and they weren't able to tell him where to look. We hope this helps gets the word out, because we think everyone should have and chance to lie, cheat, and steal their way through Fallout 3.

[Thanks, Jason]

[??? @ Nov 11th 2008 3:15AM]

This man is a hero.

[SITEiNK @ Nov 11th 2008 4:40AM]

Quite amazing. Hoorah!

[Patriks7 @ Nov 11th 2008 4:58AM]

You are so not obvious for promoting a site with the "------"

[BobFromVegas @ Nov 11th 2008 6:52AM]

That he is, and I'm glad engadget posted this.

One thing to point out though-
"Yeah, we here at Engadget are hardened cynics -- our cold, black hearts have closed off to all but the most extraordinary tech-related stories,"

Unless it is an iphone related thing, even if it is a small patch that fixes a glitch on one and every 1,000,000 units.

[Bjsfreaked @ Nov 11th 2008 8:48AM]

Its so funny to see people still try and do that kinda rubbish and think they can get away with it

[Riley @ Nov 11th 2008 8:03PM]

i think bjs was talking about siteink, not ???

[SITEiNK @ Nov 14th 2008 6:30AM]

you think? not obvious? supposed to be maybe?

this guy is indeed amazing.


and this is indeed my signature:


----------------
http://www.ROCKandREVIEW.com/

[Techie @ Nov 11th 2008 3:16AM]

Everyone needs a good frag these day.

[Giroro @ Nov 11th 2008 3:17AM]

This man needs to an Hero.

[Taylor @ Nov 11th 2008 4:26AM]

That's horrible.

Why should he commit suicide because he has a disability?

[corey @ Nov 11th 2008 3:19AM]

That is pretty damn awesome

[Corey O @ Nov 11th 2008 3:21AM]

He's probably better than most

[x3qt0r @ Nov 11th 2008 3:24AM]

holy fhaakin shyte!!

exceptional..!!

[Mac Ed @ Nov 11th 2008 3:28AM]

WOW! amazing! can't keep a hardcore gamer down. Proud!

[Loonyx @ Nov 11th 2008 3:28AM]

That kid is an inspiration to all tech freaks out there. Wow. KituneYoNume you da man! boy sawry!

[Dahk @ Nov 11th 2008 3:30AM]

ALL POWER TO YOU BRAH!

[nous @ Nov 11th 2008 3:40AM]

A triumph of human will power

[Will H. @ Nov 11th 2008 3:40AM]

Giz suggested that someone needs to give this guy a stack of games to play, coz it sounds like he's just been playing the PSN demos. I think it'd be a good idea. I reccon Engadget might have a few spare PS3 games lying around, eh? Go on!

[James @ Nov 11th 2008 4:43AM]

I'd donate to that fund.

[Corey O @ Nov 11th 2008 5:32AM]

I second that...with all the traffic, revenue, and advertisers that will see this post, hopefully somebody of means does give this kid some games. Hey, better yet, some reality show where he gets his room completely decked out like extreme game room makeover.

[Mike10010100 @ Nov 11th 2008 6:11AM]

I think the guy deserves some sort of special in-game achievement.

"Funky Foot Player" +100000000000000000000

Truly an amazing feat of engineering.

[absinthe party @ Nov 11th 2008 7:01AM]

Don't you mean, "Truly an amazing _feet_ of engineering?"

Wink wink, nudge nudge.

[Wiigee @ Nov 11th 2008 3:44AM]

awesome!!!!!!

[chrisp @ Nov 11th 2008 3:49AM]

But can he play Crysis?

[antonyo @ Nov 11th 2008 12:57PM]

best!

[Bjsfreaked @ Nov 11th 2008 4:15AM]

A low and un-necessary comment

[Bo @ Nov 11th 2008 4:04AM]

this kid's story is amazing. it's inspiring that he's labored on this project to be able to express himself and interact with society through gaming. here at stanford we have a class that specifically deals with designing controller circuits and currently the projects focus on video game controllers. i will share this story with my mates and maybe try to move design in the direction of disabled gaming in the future. perhaps one man's determination can change an industry.

@chrisp: wow sir way to be insensitive

[lost..civantares @ Nov 11th 2008 4:09AM]

It's amusing just how many people looked at the pictures and didn't actually read the reason for him building the system before posting on the sony thread...

[Christian @ Nov 11th 2008 11:41AM]

actually I thought it was very sad; many comments were pretty damn rough from some serious assholes...
what an inspiration though, I'm more than happy for him :-)

[MM @ Nov 11th 2008 4:14AM]

This is determination beyond measure.... way to go KitsuneYume

[Corey O @ Nov 11th 2008 5:37AM]

"invalid"? I sense that your intentions were good but poor choice of words. Seems like the kid is pretty darn VALID.

[Corey O @ Nov 11th 2008 5:39AM]

ooops...this reply is obviously for the comment below

[Andrew Borem @ Nov 11th 2008 3:03PM]

You realize that "invalid" is another word for handicapped, right? It's pronounced "in-vuh-lid".

[Pretol @ Nov 11th 2008 4:19AM]

When a healthy kid spends hours over a console, he/she is pathetic
But an invalid, doing the same, is a hero.

[Apple @ Nov 11th 2008 5:38AM]

F
A
R

Q
=D

[;] @ Nov 11th 2008 8:10AM]

When a disabled guy tries to live a normal person's life....

he is a hero.

[phanbouy @ Nov 11th 2008 10:24AM]

your comment is invalid

[GoCarnivore @ Nov 11th 2008 4:35AM]

This is nothing short of awesome. Hopefully this will be used to help more people like him to game.

[pwnzorzz @ Nov 11th 2008 4:45AM]

You can't deny a gamer his games!
This is beyond awesome (in a very good way).

[anantha92 @ Nov 11th 2008 6:16AM]

If we can only make more serious problems such as the Energy crisis, Economic Crisis, Global warming, Wars to seem more interested im sure young people are more than able to solve it.

[Nick8708 @ Nov 11th 2008 7:00AM]

? You'd have to be willfully ignorant of very current history to try and claim that young people aren't interested in social and environmental issues.

[Bjsfreaked @ Nov 11th 2008 8:48AM]

@ anantha

you worded that very badly in what your trying to explain and what you've written is very untrue.

[anantha92 @ Nov 11th 2008 9:02AM]

Yea sorry, my comment was horrifically worded. I meant to say, If we could somehow make kids to be involved in problems as much as they are in games.

[Adam H. @ Nov 11th 2008 9:30AM]

Of all of this and his posts on the forum, what I admire the most is not just that he had the ambition to create this, but he is less interested in the fame, but more interested in spreading the knowledge and the tech to other people like him so they can enjoy gaming like the rest of the community.

Read his posts, he doesn't care about the free games or donations, he just wants people to know that this is possible and people with disabilities do not have live with the simple enjoyment of gaming.

[AMiSH PiRATE @ Nov 11th 2008 11:02AM]

That's totally awesome. Gaming is about mental reflexes and adaptability, and this guy's promoting those skills with the toppest notchery.

[SpydaKat 17 @ Nov 11th 2008 10:16PM]

Indeed, it is a glorious day .in the land of Sparta.

[scwinn8 @ Nov 11th 2008 2:02PM]

Humans are truly amazing creatures, when there is a will there is a way. Awesome!

[LB @ Nov 11th 2008 3:32PM]

I'd donate. This kid is held back because he doesn't have any more cash. In the OP he talks about saving more money to get new switches that will improve his gaming even more.

Why don't we put together a small fund. Or maybe the advertisers that are making money off of this story could donate a few bucks to get this kid a new rig and some new games.

[whatever @ Nov 11th 2008 4:28PM]

I have mix feelings about this story.

On one side, it's freaking amazing that his will and determination have accomplished so much to live a normal life. On the other hand, I feel doubt and shame that if I were in his shoes, I would able do the same.

What so amazing about him, is not necessary that he can play video games, but managed to inspired to many. In part, he's not looking for pity, he's not looking for money or fame. He has reach a point where he has accepted his condition and embracing living his life to the fullest.

[Pretol @ Nov 11th 2008 5:13PM]

What a buncha sappy douches you guys are... Boy, did I forget to sync with the menstrual cycle around here...