SpecialEffect announce inclusion of eye gaze controls in upcoming driving simulator Open Drive

Gaming is an incredible experience that can help anyone unwind and have fun. Whether you are raiding in MMORPGs for hours, or jumping on Candy Crush for a few minutes a day. That is why hearing that SpecialEffect is making it possible for more disabled people to enjoy the hobby is heartwarming, as is the case with Open Drive.

Of course, Open Drive is just the latest way the company is making gaming more inclusive. SpecialEffect has been at it for years. They work in the medium of eye tracking technology and modified controllers, but they even have a little robot that medically isolated children can use to “attend” classes for education and social purposes. It is pretty cool.

SpecialEffect deserves more praise, but we must press on to current affairs, namely, Open Drive. Coming to Android and iOS later this year, it is an open-world driving game that lets you explore freely, collect orbs, or try to rack up a high score by ramping off anything vaguely elevated. 

Thanks to eye gaze controls, however, you can steer the car wherever you like simply by looking at the screen. Not only does this open up the game for a wide range of disabled people, but it is also the closest most of us will get to being telekinetic. The only downside is that you need a compatible eye gaze camera. 

It is an excellent feature. Although I can’t help but wonder how many crashes will occur because of people admiring the scenery. One minute you are thinking, “Oh, that's a pretty tree”, the next, you are part of said tree. It's a scenario that tickles me. Insurance claims aside, it is a fantastic addition to mobile gaming to have more mechanics like this out there, and one Special Effect should be applauded for.