A company called OCZ Technology is set to release their Neural Impulse Actuator (NIA) brain controller on April 21st. The $200 hardware and software combo allows PC gamers to map key presses and mouse button commands to thoughts and muscle movements. Accessible gaming aficionados will remember a similar peripheral in the works, the Emotiv EPOC, which is due out in late 2008. Hopefully both devices will prove to be revolutionary for accessible gaming, rather than dust collecting rejects from the Sharper Image catalog.

Source: OneSwitch.org.uk blog

Ergonis Software on Monday announced the release of Typinator 3.0, a new version of their auto-typing tool for Mac OS X. It costs 19.99 euros, and upgrades from previous releases are free for anyone who bought Typinator within the past two years.

Source: Macworld

Barrie Ellis offers up an interesting rant about Microsoft’s stance toward 3rd party Xbox 360 controllers and their attempt to thwart the use of controller adapters.

Source: OneSwitch.org.uk blog

SloMotionX is a program that slows down games and can thus make it easier to play certain games. It was developed on behalf of MacPourTous. You can download an English or French version.

Source: Barrie Ellis.

AT solutions developer Broadened Horizons has begun selling a switch adapted Wiimote. Strapped to a users arm, the adapted Wiimote features two jacks so the A button and B trigger can be activated with adaptive switches. Although this adaptation limits the controller’s usefulness to certain games (the other buttons and nunchuk attachment are not adapted) and only serves those with good arm movement, it’s great to see progress being made towards Wii accessibility.

Source: OneSwitch.org.uk blog

Barrie Ellis, champion of accessible gaming, has a small tidbit on AssistiveGaming.com over on his OneSwitch.org.uk blog. Thanks for the coverage Barrie!

Source: OneSwitch.org.uk blog

Switched profiles a new device called "The Audeo" from Illinois based company Ambient. Worn around the neck, The Audeo detects nerve impulses sent to the larynx for computerized speech output and control of an electric wheelchair. Apparently one needs to only think of a word or command and The Audeo processes it. Now, if they could just make this thing a bit more responsive it just might hold some promise for gaming...

Source: Switched

There is a nice background article on the Kotaku.com gaming site about AssistiveGaming.com. Read it today!

Source: Kotaku

Freeverse today released Big Bang Board Games 2.5.8, the latest version of its Mac games suite featuring Chess, Backgammon, Checkers, Reversi, Tic-Tac-Toe, Mancala, and 4-In-A-Row.

Source: MacMinute

Blizzard Entertainment says that World of Warcraft is, by far, the most popular MMORPG ever made.

Source: PC World.