PS3 gamer overcomes disability with custom controller, triumphs in l33t3st way imaginable
By Samuel Axon 
posted Nov 11th 2008 3:09AM
posted Nov 11th 2008 3:09AM
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]
[Thanks, Jason]
This man is a hero.
Quite amazing. Hoorah!
You are so not obvious for promoting a site with the "------"
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.
Its so funny to see people still try and do that kinda rubbish and think they can get away with it
i think bjs was talking about siteink, not ???
you think? not obvious? supposed to be maybe?
this guy is indeed amazing.
and this is indeed my signature:
----------------
http://www.ROCKandREVIEW.com/
Everyone needs a good frag these day.
This man needs to an Hero.
That's horrible.
Why should he commit suicide because he has a disability?
That is pretty damn awesome
He's probably better than most
WOW! amazing! can't keep a hardcore gamer down. Proud!
holy fhaakin shyte!!
exceptional..!!
That kid is an inspiration to all tech freaks out there. Wow. KituneYoNume you da man! boy sawry!
ALL POWER TO YOU BRAH!
A triumph of human will power
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!
I'd donate to that fund.
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.
I think the guy deserves some sort of special in-game achievement.
"Funky Foot Player" +100000000000000000000
Truly an amazing feat of engineering.
Don't you mean, "Truly an amazing _feet_ of engineering?"
Wink wink, nudge nudge.
awesome!!!!!!
But can he play Crysis?
best!
A low and un-necessary comment
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
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...
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 :-)
This is determination beyond measure.... way to go KitsuneYume
"invalid"? I sense that your intentions were good but poor choice of words. Seems like the kid is pretty darn VALID.
ooops...this reply is obviously for the comment below
You realize that "invalid" is another word for handicapped, right? It's pronounced "in-vuh-lid".
When a healthy kid spends hours over a console, he/she is pathetic
But an invalid, doing the same, is a hero.
F
A
R
Q
=D
When a disabled guy tries to live a normal person's life....
he is a hero.
your comment is invalid
This is nothing short of awesome. Hopefully this will be used to help more people like him to game.
You can't deny a gamer his games!
This is beyond awesome (in a very good way).
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.
? 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.
@ anantha
you worded that very badly in what your trying to explain and what you've written is very untrue.
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.
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.
dunno if I missed it, but way is his disability? And wit his speacial condition how did he make this or someone else made it for him?
Repeat after me Engadget.
I. Must. Not. Play. Fallout. On. A. Console.
That's totally awesome. Gaming is about mental reflexes and adaptability, and this guy's promoting those skills with the toppest notchery.
Indeed, it is a glorious day .in the land of Sparta.
Humans are truly amazing creatures, when there is a will there is a way. Awesome!
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.
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.
What a buncha sappy douches you guys are... Boy, did I forget to sync with the menstrual cycle around here...
as always, with outstanding accomplishment, there is epic fail. e.g., you.
I seriously almost wept. If only all of us had so much drive. Glory to you, sir!
They need to hook up an OCZ NIA to that thing.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/ocz_peripherals/nia-neural_impulse_actuator
Oh, and no offense, but he needs to pick a different handle than Fox Dream.
Unless of course, he actually is gay or bi, then more power to him.
Keep kicking ass dude! \m/
Game on! This guy is proof that human will can always triumph. Kinda puts alot of things into a whole new perspective.
A Man who has true Gamer "Tamashi" !!
Deeply impressed. My salute to you.
what a douche he is wont even show his face punk azz
Wow, just wow. You know why I am guessing he chose not to show his face? It's because there are people like you in the world who would make fun of a disabled person for no better reason then you can and you get some kind of sick amusement out of it. I am not even going to point out the irony in the fact that you are saying this on the internet meaning no one can see your face either.
That's pretty cool. More power to him!
Check out how my friend plays games too.
He goes by the gamer tag N0M4D.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTnwpmutbWE
This is truly inspirational!!!!!!!
I write a national magazine for children with disabilities and their families in Australia. I was wondering if I could include this photo/story in it. I work at a not for profit community organisation.
yes you can use