The Wheel Life Problems podcast is podcast hosted by Twitch streamers Brandon, Bill and Ricky, and accessibility advocate James. Each fortnight the team talk about accessibility in video games, tech-related disability issues and anything else that’s caught their attention.
We had Blindryan1 join as well as DigitalDocMD who is in his own words "Specifically I am interested in how videogames and videogame technology can be utilized to improve healthcare." We interview the doc to figure out what makes him tick and how he is applying his passion of videogames to health care!
Does being Handicapped make you a hero? Do you want to be called that? What superpower would you take if you still had to have your disability? if you are not disabled what power would you take and what disability would you take with it?
In this episode the guys test a new updated live show format!
In this episode the guys talk about dealing with isolation during COVID-19. They discuss what they have been doing during their time locked in. Will hopeful get your mind off of all the craziness that is going on. Stay safe out there and keep it wheel!
In this episode we discuss the accessible features that are invisible to most hopefully we will make some of them visible by the end! intro and outro music was provided by @CathranMusic
In this episode they guys are discussing assistive technology and it role in every day life. In this episode they share what assistive technology they use daily to help live more independently. Intro and outro music was provided by @CathranMusic
This is the come back episode for the podcast . We discuss the plans for the future and what is next for wheel life problems. We also are happy to introduce John or Glitchedvision he's tagline from twitch. He is a vision impaired gamer and accessibility advocate ! Come hear what's store for wheel life problems !
023 – VA to Launch Adaptive Game Therapy ProgramIn this week’s show Bill and Ricky talk about the Veterans Affairs Department initiative to start an Adaptive Game Therapy programme and how initiatives like this (and videogames in general) can benefit people with injuries sustained n armed conflicts.As mentioned: VA to Launch Adaptive Game Therapy Program - https://www.nextgov.com/itmodernization/2019/10/va-launch-adaptive-game-therapy-program/160574/
022–Mouse-Only Gaming, or The Most Fun You Can Have With One Hand This week we discuss games that are playable with only a mouse; we talk about simple games like Minesweeper and Solitaire on older versions of Windows, mouse-only classics from days gone by like Lemmings, and more modern fare like Thimbleweed Park
Episode 021 Episode 21 is a shorter one than usual due to scheduling and technical issues, but we’ve still got a discussion about the more accessible controllers this week. We also chat briefly about mouse-only games and games with even fewer necessary inputs. As mentioned: Able Gamers (US) - https://ablegamers.org * Special Effect (UK) - https://www.specialeffect.org.uk
It’s Episode 20 and we discuss the many weird and wonderful controllers that we’ve encountered over the years. We also mention a few controllers we love to hate, and some we just hate outright. Remote controls, arcade sticks, detachable LCD displays and… chainsaws? Also, Nintendo released the remake of 1993 classic The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening on the Switch, and with each of the team having played this in its original incarnation you know we’ll be discussing this at length!
Episode 019 In today’s episode we talk about what we can expect from education as people with disabilities, and our various personal experiences throughout high school and beyond. We also get an update on Ricky’s attempts to master the Scottish language and Bill discusses his interest in a new upcoming grip accessory for the Nintendo Switch. As mentioned: UK Disability Rights – https://www.gov.uk/rights - disabled - person/educatio n - rights , Universities can do more to support their disabled students - https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/jan/17/universities - can - do - more - to - support - their - disabled - students
In episode it’s all hands on deck as the team sets sail into the murky waters of software piracy. Is it justifiable where accessibility is concerned or should software pirates be made to walk the plank?We also find out more about Brandon’s recent trip to Tenno-Con, the Warframe convention in London, Ontario (that’s in Canada!) and learn more about what Digital Extremes are doing to accommodate disabled attendees at their events.
It’s Episode 17, and this time the team talk conventions and attending them with a disability. It’s summer time again (at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere,) so travel and holidays are discussed. Also, why does James hate Shrek so much, what’s up with Virginia Beach, and how does Ricky’s butt work?
Gotta go fast! It’s speed-running time as Summer Games Done Quick comes to Twitch with anotherfundraising event for Doctors Without Borders. In this episode The team talk about SGDQ, thepractice of speed-running videogames and what gamesthey would speed-run. There’s talk aboutaccessible arcades and what can be done to make the experience more disability-friendly.As mentioned:* The SGDQ Youtube playlist:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-iuhGwCMjI&list=PLz8YL4HVC87USVEr0JdH8jvQhCoKjMR3G*The wheelchair-accessible arcade cabinet:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n066nQ9ChqM
It’s E3 time, which means a massive amount of new game announcements, trailers, footage andmore! In this episode Bill and James discuss what games they were most excited by. The episodewas also streamed live on Twitch, so there are contributions from thelive audience too.As mentioned:* Xbox Live at E3-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeYQ-kPF0iQ* Bethesda live at E3-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C44eS4LyZJA* Nintendo Direct E3 2019-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr9eAtwcYlo* Ubisoft E3 2019-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHBpttdh24k
Episode 014In this episode of Wheel Life Problems we’re joined by a guest, gamer and streamer Disabled Tronwho shares his experience with games, disability and streaming on Twitch.As mentioned:* Disabled Tron’s Twitch channel-https://www.twitch.tv/the_disabled_tron
It’s all movies on this special film-themed episode of Wheel Life Problems. Ricky, Bill and James talk about Detective Pikachu and the new Sonc the Hedgehog film trailer. There’s talk on which game to film transitions have worked the best, and which games would make excellent movies. What films would you like to see made into games? The team discuss this too. Finally the podcast covers representations of disability in film. As mentioned: * Disability, Representation and the X-Men - https://thebias.com/2017/10/31/disabilityrepresentation-and-the-x-men/ * Am I Disabled or a Mutant? - http://disabilityhorizons.com/2016/05/am-i-disabled-or-a-mutant/ * The Sonic the Hedgehog trainler - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvvZaBf9QQI
Episode 012Due to some actual Wheel Life Problems Brandon and Bill couldn’t make the recording so it’s justRicky and James this week having an unplanned and unstructured chat about whatever comes tomind. Topics covered include Transistor and being letdown by games you really want to like, Chessand Monopoly, Mortal Kombat’s accessibility features compared to the previous versions, old sportsgames and why we do podcasts. Next week normal service should resume!As mentioned:* Transistor-https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/transistor/home
Episode 011In this episode we talk about the release of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and the subsequent furore over difficulty in games and how it relates to accessibility. We also chat about inter-able couples and finding love as a disabled person.As mentioned: * I beat Sekiro's final boss with cheats and I feel fine - https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/i-beat-sekiros-final-boss-with-cheats-and-i-feel-fine/* An Easy Mode Has Never Ruined A Game - https://kotaku.com/an-easy-mode-has-never-ruined-a-game-1833757865* We've Always Made Our Own Easy Modes. 'Sekiro' Is No Exception - https://waypoint.vice.com/en_us/article/vbw9vb/weve-always-made-our-own-easy-modes-sekiro-is-no-exception* easy mode is NOT a participation trophy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-11LhWC19TU&feature=youtu.be* God of War director: accessibility isn't at odds with creative vision - http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/340383/God_of_War_director_accessibility_isnt_at_odds_with_creative_vision.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29* Terry Cavanagh, designer of Super Hexagon’s thoughts on game accessibility - https://twitter.com/terrycavanagh/status/1115222285311463424* Why We Turned Down Dr. Phil [CC] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prjdlTVT5uk
In episode 10 we discuss Google and Apple’s plans to enter videogames with Google Stadia and Apple Arcade, and whether these will be accessible to players with disabilities. There’s also some discussion on the EU’s new Article 13 regulation and how it will affect fair use and copyright for vloggers and streamers. This episode was also the first so far to be recorded while simultaneously live streamed on Twitch.As mentioned…Google Stadia: https://store.google.com/magazine/stadiaApple Arcade: https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-arcade/Article 13 Explained (Wired): https://www.wired.co.uk/article/what-is-article-13-article-11-european-directive-on-copyright-explained-meme-banArticle 13: Memes exempt as EU backs controversial copyright law (BBC News): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-47708144Music for the podcast is provided by Cathran Music - https://twitter.com/cathranmusic
In this episode we talk about GAConf, the Game Accessibility conference running parallel to the Game Developers Conference in San Fransisco. The team also share their experiences of accessibility issues when attending events like concerts, sporting events. As mentioned: GAConf - https://www.gaconf.com/conference/ GAConf 2018 videos - https://www.gaconf.com/gaconf-2018/ GAConf 2017 videos - https://www.gaconf.com/2017-edition/ Music for the podcast is provided by Cathran Music - https://twitter.com/cathranmusic
In this episode we talk about the remake of The Legend of Zelda – Link’s Awakening, as announced on a recent Nintendo Direct stream. There’s also chat about the variety of controller options used with Smash Bros. Players on Switch and in other fighting games, and Super Mario Maker 2. There’s also some general accessibility chat.As mentioned:Sightless Kombat using a hitbox controller: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-40281313/blind-gamer-is-trying-to-make-gaming-accessible-to-allHitbox all-button arcade game controllers: https://www.hitboxarcade.com/
This week a BBC article on a popular meme provoked a discussion on invisible disabilities and the fear of been seen to be “faking it”.The team talk about the Super Bowl and Microsoft’s commercial for their Xbox Adaptive Controller. There’s also some wheelchair discussion, including news on which one of the team has some new hi-tech wheels.As mentioned:#A11YJAM call for suggestions for challenges:The Xbox Adaptive Controller Superbowl commercial:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM2QJO2IDFo
Binaural Recording:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binaural_recordingPostmortem: Greater accessibility through audio in Killer Instinct:https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/305735/Postmortem_Greater_accessibility_through_audio_in_Killer_Instinct.php
On this episode of Wheel Life Problems the team talk about TwitchCon, and Brandon shares his experience of being on a panel with other disabled streamers. There’s also the joy of air travel to events with a wheelchair. Also covered is Audiogame Jam 3, a game jam to raise money for a the UK sight loss charity RNIB that James organises each year, and the Quad-Stick, a game controller for quadriplegics similar to a sip-and-puff.As mentioned:TwitchCon 2018 Accessibility Panel - Rolling Over Your Obstacles: Streaming with Disabilities:https://www.twitchcon.com/schedule/rolling-over-your-obstacles-streaming-with-disabilities/Blind Gamers Are Embracing Developers Who Have an Eye for Accessibility:https://toucharcade.com/2015/05/06/blind-gamers-are-embracing-developers-who-have-an-eye-for-accessibility/Audiogame Jam 3:http://jams.gamejolt.io/audiogamejam3
Introductions are the order of the day as Brandon, Bill, Ricky and James talk about why they’re doing this podcast, their interest in videogames and how it’s affected by their disabilities. There’s also discussion about 2018’s hottest gaming peripheral, the Xbox Adaptive Controller, and the worst parts of the team’s respective disabilities.
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