SpecialEffect

This article is about the British charity. For the film technique, see Special effect.

SpecialEffect
Formation2007
FounderMick Donegan
TypeNGO
Legal statusCharity
HeadquartersThe Stable Block, Cornbury Park, Charlbury, Oxfordshire OX7 3EH, United Kingdom
Websitehttps://www.specialeffect.org.uk/

SpecialEffect is a charity based in the United Kingdom founded in 2007.[1] It specialises in helping physically disabled people, specifically children, play video games. The organisation works with developers to create specialised game control devices as well as making their games more accessible.[2] This includes controllers using inputs from any part of the body that can move, such as small toe movements or the player's gaze.[3] The ability to play video games, now seen as an almost universal pastime, can help improve the mental health of disabled people who otherwise could not play them.[4]

History

SpecialEffect was founded by Mick Donegan, a former teacher, who remains its CEO.[3] It was created to focus on the people with the most complex physical disabilities, allowing them to play games effectively and with the greatest chance of winning.[1] The organisation uses a team of specialists including occupational therapists and a technical and software design team.[1]

The charity uses Eye Gaze, a technology that utilises eye motion for control input.[5] They have worked with publishers to produce specialist equipment such as adaptive controllers.[6]

In 2024, SpecialEffect were announced as the recipient for the BAFTA Special Award for their work promoting accessibility in gaming. The award was presented at the 20th British Academy Games Awards.[7]

Charity

SpecialEffect has organised charity events to fund its ventures such as GameBlast and One Special Day.[8][9] Well-established companies as well as trending game designers have aided in creating charity events such as the 2020 video game developers of Fall Guys, who set up an event to award the highest donator during a specified time.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "SpecialEffect at 10: "We've increased our work tenfold"". MCV. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  2. ^ Beach, Jonathan (22 October 2015). "Meet the Charity That's Helping the Disabled Get Into Video Gaming". Vice. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  3. ^ a b "PC Gamer – August 2013: How charity SpecialEffect are working to make gaming accessible to all « Andrew Tsai Technical Support in North and Central London". andrewtsai.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Mark Saville on how SpecialEffect 'levels the playing field' for people with physical disabilities". www.rcpsych.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  5. ^ Grimshaw, Jack (15 November 2021). "Special Effect launches tenth eye-tracking title 'Gazey Golf'". NME. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  6. ^ Watts, Rachel (7 May 2020). "SpecialEffect is helping people with physical disabilities play the games they love". PC Gamer. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  7. ^ "UK gaming charity SpecialEffect to receive Special Award at 20th BAFTA Games Awards". BAFTA. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Events | SpecialEffect". www.specialeffect.org.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  9. ^ Wen, Alan (18 August 2021). "Gaming charity SpecialEffect holding art fund-raising competition". NME. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Battle of the Brands". Twitter. FallGuysGame. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.