The National Videogame Museum (NVM) in Sheffield has a packed programme of activities for half-term including jousting, dancing and Eye Gaze technology for a new exhibit in collaboration with videogame charity SpecialEffect. The programme will explore the different ways people can play and enjoy videogames.
The accessible technology was developed for people with severe disabilities, but can be downloaded by anyone. Named EyeMine, the exhibit allows people to discover a revolutionary new way to play adventure game Minecraft. It uses infrared cameras to track the eye movements of the player to mimic the use of a traditional computer mouse.
New Way to Play Minecraft
This new exhibit emphasises the growing cultural significance that videogames play in not only the development of young people – through the creativity, imagination and social skills at the heart of games like Minecraft – but also ensures that everyone has access to the world of joy, imagination and stimulation that videogames provide.
Liam Lawler, Partnerships Coordinator at SpecialEffect says: “The technology behind EyeMine is really exciting and opens up popular games like Minecraft for many more disabled gamers to enjoy. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to the NVM for featuring it and hope that the exhibit will inspire and encourage a greater awareness of videogame accessibility.”
Half Term Video Game Activities
During half-term, the museum will also celebrate other alternative controllers and their award winning Learning Team will task visitors to become physical controllers in JoustMania. A game for up to six players, JoustMania challenges competitors to be the last person standing as they aim to jostle an opponent’s PlayStation Move controller enough to eliminate them from the game. Fun for all ages, the activity demonstrates that videogames can also be an excellent form of exercise. With this challenge, movement and dexterity will be the key to winning a coveted NVM exclusive sticker.
Alternatively controlled games already playable in the Museum’s collection are celebrated throughout the half-term too. Bust classic dance moves on the 1990s’ Dancing Stage arcade machine, discover games that use motion control or visitors can even use their entire body to become a videogame level using Xbox’s Kinect camera technology.
Stacey Jubb, Head of Learning at the NVM, said: “We are really excited to celebrate the theme of alternative videogame controls this February half term. We will be showcasing all the different ways in which videogames can be played together in a fun and creative way. We have not explored this concept in depth before which builds on our mission of ‘Videogames for everyone, Forever.’ Visitors will also be able to learn about the mechanics of video game controllers through our pop up dissection exhibit at various points throughout the session.”
The NVM will be open every day from 10am from February 10th-18th and from 10am February 21st-25th.
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