Well, it’s been a week since the #CSGOLoungeBTSM thread went viral on Twitter. Since then it’s been replayed everywhere from Twitch to YouTube to Facebook to Instagram. The question on everyone’s mind is: when will CSGO Lounge be back up again?
While it’s always fun to watch popular streamers play video games, the real purpose of the CSGOLoungeBTSM thread was to bring awareness to the lack of accessibility that people with disabilities have to online gaming. Specifically, people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) struggle to find a way to communicate their needs in a video game. Even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to many in-person social encounters. However, online gaming remains a crucial part of modern life and many people with disabilities still prefer to play video games rather than browse the web or read emails. This is why communication barriers between players and games remain and why the CSGOLoungeBTSM thread will continue to be relevant even after the pandemic is over.
Accessibility In Online Gaming
The main issue with accessibility in online gaming is that many companies have built their products with little to no regard for the fact that not everyone can easily interact with them. As a result, the products often require a lot of effort to use, require technical support and sometimes don’t even work correctly. Additionally, many companies assume that just because you have the ability to use a mouse and keyboard, you can navigate their websites and use their products as easily as anyone else. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. People with autism struggle with social interactions and may have trouble understanding or responding to these types of requests. To put it simply, the majority of the time it’s either not going to work or it’s going to take a lot more effort than most people are willing to give.
Why Video Gaming?
The truth is that video gaming is more accessible than you think. Yes, there are challenges, but there are also solutions available to make video games more accessible for everyone. For example, game controllers have been designed with the assistive gear in mind so they’re easier to use by people with physical disabilities. Additionally, there are solutions specifically designed for people with autism including the ability to switch off certain game elements and change the soundtrack so it’s easier for the individual to understand. One of the largest issues is that not enough people know that there are options available to make video gaming more accessible to everyone including those with special needs. Many people with special needs will tell you that they’ve had bad experiences with video games in the past and feel excluded due to those experiences but that’s not true at all. With enough knowledge and some initiative, everyone can enjoy video gaming regardless of their disability.
Lack Of Insight Into Gaming
When you think about online gaming, the first thing that probably comes to mind is Twitch. And it’s not hard to understand why. After all, it’s one of the biggest platforms for online gaming. But did you know that Twitter is also home to a thriving community of gamers who want to engage with others on the platform? Or that YouTube has a gaming section where gamers can grow their audience? Or that Facebook is always home to exciting gaming moments? Or that Instagram is filled with cool gaming-related content?
These are just some of the places you can find gamers on social media, but you’d be surprised how many people forget about the wealth of gaming content on other platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit and even the humble website itself.
It’s important to remember that while some people may still prefer to play video games on traditional platforms like Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch, the barrier to entry for gaming is much lower now than it was before the pandemic. This is why it’s important to continue to expose individuals and companies to the wealth of opportunities available in gaming, no matter where they choose to play.
In Summary
To conclude, while it’s always fun to watch popular streamers play video games, the real purpose of the CSGOLoungeBTSM thread was to bring awareness to the lack of accessibility that people with disabilities have to online gaming. Specifically, people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) struggle to find a way to communicate their needs in a video game. Even more so since the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to many in-person social encounters. However, online gaming remains a crucial part of modern life and many people with disabilities still prefer to play video games rather than browse the web or read emails. This is why communication barriers between players and games remain and why the CSGOLoungeBTSM thread will continue to be relevant even after the pandemic is over.