Visually Impaired Gamer Sues SOE

According to GameSpot, visually impaired gamer Alexander Stern filed a lawsuit against Sony Online Entertainment last month that alleges "Sony is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to implement features to make its games accessible to visually impaired gamers." The suit appears to focus on MMOs and states that other companies, such as Blizzard, have made their games accessible through the use of third-party mods.

AbleGamers, a site dedicated to disabled gamers, reported on the lawsuit and made a statement regarding the site's stance on the issue. "While I can understand this gentleman's frustration I do not believe that the courts are the place to forward accessibility in the gaming space," said Mark Barlet, president of the AbleGamers nonprofit foundation. What are your thoughts on the lawsuit?

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ROFL
# Nov 15 2009 at 5:39 AM Rating: Decent
This guy should really switch to WoW. It has a Color Blind mode option. Seriously tho, this guy is an idiot if he thinks he has a shot in hell to even get a sane judge to take this case. I've played with visually impaired people lots of times. Some were legally blind. Their secret? HUGE magnifying glass covering their monitors. This guy should either find a new game or stop playing all together because he is terribad.
Proactivity
# Nov 14 2009 at 1:47 AM Rating: Excellent
Why doesn't he do something smart...

Like... oh... I don't know... Run EverQuest II in a window and use 3rd party applications that alter windows itself rather than the game in order to give him the visual functionallity that EverQuest II needs.

Or he could just run on extreme performance mode as most of the transparency goes out of the window then anyway. :p
Ridiculous
# Nov 13 2009 at 7:11 AM Rating: Decent
When I read this.. I couldn't help but think how pathetic this person must be. No judge in his/her right mind would award this person any kind of money.
____________________________
EQ1: Gooshy: http://eq.magelo.com/profile/1870652
EQ2: Gwenythe: http://u.eq2wire.com/soe/character_detail/468152233422
Get over it.
# Nov 12 2009 at 8:06 PM Rating: Good
17 posts
This appears not to be an accessibility issue, but rather a "sense of entitlement" issue. Should I sue Nike for making running sneakers because I can't run due to a reconstructed ACL? Should I sue clothes companies that only make items for tall people because I'm short? Should I sue rich people for having more money than me?

Seriously. Just because you want something does not mean you're entitled to it. I just find this whole thing irritating, and I worked with disabled people for years.
this is silly
# Nov 12 2009 at 7:50 PM Rating: Good
A: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a Federal civil rights law. It gives Federal civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in State and local government services, public accommodations, employment, transportation, and telecommunications.





I do not see anything about hobbies, games, sports in there. IE DEAL WITH IT. I cant go and cry ADA violations if I am say have no legs but want to be a Marathon runner. No offense to any who are in that position in life.
this is silly
# Nov 12 2009 at 8:48 PM Rating: Good
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187 posts
/agree totally
Life, Liberty and Happiness
# Nov 12 2009 at 7:31 PM Rating: Good
The last time I looked, access to and ability to play computer/video games was not a constitutionaly guaranteed right.
wow
# Nov 12 2009 at 4:53 PM Rating: Good
you know people are so pathetic, how do you even play a game blind???, but anyone seriously, thats just rediculous, some people will do anything for money and fame.
honestly...
# Nov 12 2009 at 4:28 PM Rating: Good
he states that blizzard allows for the use of third party programs to help the visually impaired.

I think maybe he should take his own advice and switch to WoW.
this is silly!
# Nov 12 2009 at 3:58 PM Rating: Good
there is NO WAY a visually impaired person could enjoy free realms fully! i started playing because of the looks of the graphics, alone. don't get me wrong, my grandmother was handicapable, so i am in no way discriminating, but people please! really? this guy is just doing it for the money and fame!
lawsuit
# Nov 12 2009 at 3:56 PM Rating: Good
You must be kidding me. Last time I checked computers are sort of a visual interface currently. How can you sue when you can't see the screen?
Really?
# Nov 12 2009 at 1:33 PM Rating: Decent
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73 posts
Quote:
This just in...

Hearing impaired man sues Bose Home Audio Systems
lawsuit
# Nov 12 2009 at 1:24 PM Rating: Good
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41 posts
visually impaired....seriously??

get glasses!!
lawsuit
# Nov 13 2009 at 12:03 AM Rating: Good
i must be visually impaired also, because [i cant see] where this suit would [have a leg to stand on]. hmmm, maybe im mobility impaired too. the Pinball Wizard would of never have pulled this stunt.

Edited, Nov 13th 2009 1:16am by Echelon
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