Tag Archives: SpecialEffect

Train2Game News SpecialEffect help Ben back in the game

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SpecialEffectSpecialEffect, the gamers charity, have recently helped a young man named Ben to be able to play video games for the first time.

Ben, who has spinal muscular atrophy, never thought he’d be able to play video games. He’d found out about SpecialEffect online and told his parents, but they hadn’t said much. It turned out they’d subsequently arranged a visit to the charity in Oxfordshire without telling him, so one morning in April they took him for ‘a bit of a drive’ and an hour or so later, to his absolute surprise, he found himself in their games room.

“I’ve never played a proper computer game,” he said. “I’ve always watched my friends play. Games are important to me because I can’t go out and play football like other kids so I do it on a computer screen.”

Ben uses a joystick to drive his wheelchair and control his PC at home, so the dev team from SpecialEffect bluetoothed it to a laptop so it could act as the left gaming stick for games like FIFA and Grand Turismo. They also rigged up a selection of light-touch switches and connected them into the PlayStation via a couple of interfaces.

The end result is that Ben’s able to play on the PS3 for the first time ever, and he’s barrelling into a range of games including Gran Turismo, FIFA and Minecraft. The equipment he needs has been lent to him, and now he’s one very happy gamer.

“It’s good because I get the same amount of fun as they do. I can do everything on it and it’s amazing”

This is just one of many stories from an amazing charity that deserves continued support from as many people as possible.

You can view Ben’s story below

Train2Game News Vote for SpecialEffect for Tech4Good awards

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SpecialEffectSpecialEffect are asking for your help in a David and Goliath style contest. The charity are up against Samsung for the National Technology4Good awards.

The Tech4Good Awards celebrate the hard work of people of all ages who use the power of computers and the Internet to make the world a better place. They are the only awards to highlight the wealth of charities, businesses and volunteers across the UK that harness the power of technology to benefit the community. The aim is to celebrate the hard work that these people put into making the world a better place.

All you need to do to vote for SpecialEffect to win this years award is simply create a tweet using the hashtag #T4GSpecialEffect. Every time your tweet is retweeted with that hashtag it counts towards another vote and there is no limit on how many times you can vote!

You can also vote by visiting http://bit.ly/1i4qU6j

The votes ends next Monday at 5pm so you have the weekend to get tweeting!

Train2Game News Firefly Runner now on Windows 8

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Firefly runnerUK based video games developer, Red Kite Games has launched Firefly Runner, an action packed, free-running child friendly adventure for Windows Phone and Windows 8 with proceeds going to charity.

Released last week on iOS, Android and Kindle, Firefly Runner can now be downloaded from both the Windows Phone Store and the Windows Store for a one off purchase of 79p with a free trial of the game also being available. Red Kite Games will donate 15% of the revenues generated by Firefly Runner jointly to the charities GamesAid and SpecialEffect thus helping both charities in their work for good causes centred around children and young people.

In the game, players can help Switch the courageous firefly, run, fly, shoot and rescue his captured firefly friends on the stunningly beautiful, yet treacherous, Firefly Island. Players can challenge their reflexes by running, flying and firing their deadly slingshot to take out Switch’s insect foes including grumpy hornets, burping slugs and scuttling spiders. Keep Switch alive and you’ll reach gigantic scores; unlock all the achievements and become the ultimate firefly.

The launch of Firefly Runner has been helped by a series of pro-bono collaborations from games companies including AppyNation, ACE, Carbon Digital, Game Republic, Johnny Atom Productions, Pitstop Productions, PressSpace, Sheridans and Universally Speaking all of whom have donated their services free of charge.

Firefly Runner is now available from the App Store, Amazon Marketplace, Google Play, Windows Phone Store and Windows Store.

Train2Game News Redkite Games supporting games charities

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Firefly runnerFrom now until Thursday you can help SpecialEffect and GamesAid simply by purchasing a game by Redkite games.

Red Kite Games are proudly supporting GamesAid and SpecialEffect with Firefly Runner and will be donating 15% of the revenue share equally into each charity.

Firefly Runner is an action packed, free-running adventure set on the stunningly beautiful yet treacherous Firefly Island. Join Switch as he takes flight in search of treasured light orbs and magical keys. After lift-off avoid obstacles, collect cherries and perform acrobatic loop-de-loops to gain extra points.

The studio has the following to say about the project; “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played Firefly Runner and we hope that you are enjoying the game as much as we have enjoyed making it. GamesAid and SpecialEffect do amazing work helping disadvantaged and disabled children and young people, but without your support and the support of the wider games industry this would not be possible.”

Firefly Runner is available now on iOS and Android devices. Download the game now to help SpecialEffect and GamesAid!

Train2Game News SpecialEffect TwinTown Challenge

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On May 23rd 2014 over 50 cars costing less than £500 will leave games charity SpecialEffect’s Oxfordshire HQ to tackle historic racing circuits including Brands Hatch and Le Mans in the SpecialEffect Twin Town challenge. 

Leamington Spa based developer Playground Games is supporting the charity by becoming track sponsor, bringing the charity closer to their target of raising £100K from the event.

In addition to the support of Playground teams from Exient, SEGA, GamaJun, Atomhawk, Four Door Lemo and Audiomotion are also joining the weekend’s motoring mayhem to support Special Effect’s innovative work for disabled gamers – check out some of the inspiring videos here.

Across the Twin Town Challenge weekend teams will take part in fun challenges including car boxing; laps of Brands Hatch and Le Mans; a James Bond themed evening and an auction for incredible, once-in-a-lifetime prizes covering golf, motorsport, music, beer and cricket as well as unique celebrity-signed signed bottles of Hobgoblin ale brewed exclusively for the event.

Trevor Williams,  COO for Playground Games said, “Associating Playground Games and Forza Horizon with this challenge was a no brainer – although I suspect the cars in Forza are somewhat more presitigious than half the bangers being driven between the Twin Towns! Special Effect is a fantastic charity run by fantastic people that changes people’s lives for the better. Playground is honoured to support such a great organisation.”

Dr Mick Donegan, Founder and CEO added, “The sponsorship and support from Playground Games is a huge boost to the event as we edge ever closer to setting off for the these historic tracks. I would like to thank Trevor and the team for their amazing support”

To bid on some ‘Once in a Lifetime’ experiences including British Grand Prix VIP with Eddie Jordan, Paul McGinley Algarve Golf & Luxury Villa, Oxford United FC Chairman for the Day and much more,  in the Twin Town Auction contact Nick@specialeffect.org.uk  by May 22nd

Train2Game News Humble Bundle supporting SpecialEffect

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SpecialEffectThis weeks Humble Bundle sale is supporting the great team at SpecialEffect to help advance the great work they do.

This sale is brought to you by Devolver Digital, purveyors of fine digital entertainment wares such as Broforce and Hotline Miami! Each title has been hand selected by the Devolver team as games outside of their roster, save for Dungeon Hearts and Foul Play, that they enjoy playing and want other folks to check out! Pay what you want to enjoy the fast-paced, strategic action-puzzler, Dungeon Hearts, the quirky Western action adventure game, The Real Texas, and a retro-inspired album of games, Cryptic Sea EP.

If you’re feeling generous, pay $6 or more to also receive side-scrolling brawler, Foul Play, get in on the randomly-generated, action RPG beat-’em-up, Legend of Dungeon, and the claustrophobic quick-reflex game, KRUNCH Digital Collector’s Edition. Paying $10 or more will get you all of the titles above plus fast-paced, “rogue-lite,” bullet-hell Tower of Guns.

These games seperately would cost you just under $100 but with the humble bundle paying $10 will get you the lot.

You can purchase the bundle by visiting https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly

The money raised will go to SpecialEffect to helping them with cases like Rob who you can view in the heart warming video below.

Train2Game News Another great success for SpecialEffect

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MaxA few days ago games charity, SpecialEffect, had the real privilege of helping five year-old Max to master his games.

“Max has cerebral palsy and loves playing Xbox,” said Theresa, his mother. “He can use his left hand but doesn’t have any fine motor skills in his left side. Up until he started school this hasn’t been a problem, but now he plays with his friends he’s more aware that his limited function affects his ability to play the games his friends play.”

The charity visited Max to see if they could help. His Dad Alan explained that Max loves racing games, but because of his limited function, he’d often have to just steer while his Dad pressed the buttons or vice versa. He also likes Toy Story, but couldn’t make his character move and jump at the same time.

There was various challenges to overcome, but the switch-based setup SpecialEffect have ended up with gives the flexibility to position the switches wherever they need to be. They can also be mapped to any controller button. It was agreed the best thing would be for Max to use different switch arrangements for different games.

Max has a great relationship with his dad and will still enjoy playing games with him, but Max can now play independently if he wants to. At one point he even shouted, “Look Daddy, I’m playing by myself!”

Now he can play the games his friends play, ensuring he’s included. And if you’re a five year-old, THAT’S what matters!

Train2Game News SpecialEffect nominated for awards

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SpecialEffectThe games charity, SpecialEffect, are up for a couple of awards at the GamesIndustry International Innovation Awards.

The awards are being held by GamesIndustry.biz and there are numerous categories to vote in. SpecialEffect are up for the award in Innovation in Technology for their work constantly breaking new technological ground with one-off machines to bring the joy of gaming back into their lives.

They are also up for the award of Innovation in Social Responsibility. This prize celebrates those companies who choose to give something back to their communities and society at large. SpecialEffect is a prime example of giving back to the gaming community as they are always working on new ways of helping those in need.

Those who win will be presented with a trophy at an award ceremony at GameHorizon in Newcastle, England on May 7, 2014.

To see a full list of the nominations and to cast your vote visit http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-03-10-gamesindustry-innovation-awards-vote-now

Train2Game News SpecialEffect helps gamer complete GTA V

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SpecialEffectWhen Lee lost the ability to play video games because of spinal muscular atrophy, he lost a major part of his life. But with the help of gamer’s charity SpecialEffect, he’s conquered Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V.

“I’ve played games all my life,” he said, “and I got quite depressed when I couldn’t play them. It was taking a big part of who I was away.”

SpecialEffect, who specialise in helping people with disabilities to experience the fun and inclusion of video games, worked with Lee to find a customised equipment setup that exactly suited his individual abilities.

The charity positioned microswitches to harness the small finger movements in his right hand, and mounted two joysticks that he can operate using his chin.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to play GTA because of my limitations, but there are no limitations anymore,” he said. “With games I can do the things I can’t do because of my disability,” he said. “I can play football with my brother by playing FIFA, or drive cars.”

“Disabilities are very frustrating and limiting – you’re basically imprisoned. This is the charity that could help change your life and bring something back that you thought you’d lost.”

Before his condition had advanced, Lee had found out about the charity through a clicking on the SpecialEffect pitchside advertising board in Sports Interactive’s Football Manager 13 game.

Nick Streeter, fundraiser at the charity, said “We’re absolute delighted to be able to help Lee. His physical abilities are changing over time, and we’ll keep visiting him to modify his equipment so that he can continue to play games as effectively as possible.”

“Games are an amazing medium through which people make friends, socialise and come together for a common cause. To be able to extend that medium to people that would otherwise not be involved is both an honour and a privilege.”

Lee’s story is featured in a short YouTube video, shown below, by the charity

Train2Game News: Student taking part in GameBlast

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Ritchie DemicolSpecialEffect’s GameBlast charity event launches tomorrow and Train2Game student, Ritchie Demicol is taking part.

Ritchie, who has been a Train2Game student since February last year, will be playing the infamously difficult Dark Souls for 24 hours straight. This will be no easy task with the games frustrating difficulty level.

When asked why Ritchie decided to take part in the event he said “I decided to take part because I know it’s going to a great cause who design games and hardware for young children and adults who struggle to play video games due to certain disabilities. It will be a great help to those who can’t use move their body and have to use their eyes to control the game”

Ritchie begins his 24 hour marathon tomorrow and if you would like to support him and SpecialEffect you can donate by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/Ritchie-Demicol

Good luck Ritchie, you are supporting a fantastic charity!