One thing can be said about gamers is that we are passionate about the worlds we conquer. Collectively, we can do a lot of good in the world, and in the privacy of our own gaming microcosm – the passion for video games knows no limits. One disabled player, Stevie Rex, who was diagnosed with TAR syndrome, did not let his disability get in the way of his thirst for adventure. Check out the video below to see how he takes on the world of Final Fantasy 14 using only his feet:

Final Fantasy 14 is an MMO that requires total strategic immersion and Rex managed to absolutely pwn regardless of his condition. It’s something to really admire and watching the video really drives home this sense of awe in me personally as a fellow gamer.

With TAR syndrome, Rex overcame a body abnormality that left his forearms without bones. This obviously makes playing with any platform, never mind a keyboard and mouse, incredibly difficult but Rex pulls it off utilizing FF 14’s cross bar system. This system is incredibly dynamic and gives Stevie the flexibility to conquer Eorzea in a slightly unconventional manner.

Rex took to Reddit to talk about his experience in gaming:

I have always been interested in playing MMOs but the other options are so hard to play due to having to use my feet. That isn’t the case with FF14, as thanks to the amazing idea that is the cross bar system, I can play the game really well.”

The ability bar for Final Fantasy 14 was primarily designed for the PlayStation 4, which creates an awkward transition with keys assigned to a keyboard on the PC version. It’s manageable, but for someone with any sort of physical limitation or is simply new to the MMO genre, it can leave players a little frustrated.

To combat this complication transition, Square Enix came up with a viable solution. A new system was developed that allows the player to push the shoulder buttons in order to utilize the ability bars. A much more simplified way to translate the Dualshock 4 controller accessibility and one that Rex found incredibly useful to his play-style.

In his post to reddit, Stevie gives a special shout out to those who thought to create this easier way to play:

Just wanted to say that Yoshi and the team have done an amazing job making the game accessible for gamers like me, I love FFXIV and the Devs have only made it better as the years have gone by. That along with other settings makes this game so good for disabled gamers to access.”

This isn’t the only time where special design went into helping those with disabilities still enjoy their favourite titles. A special PlayStation controller was developed for a gamer with cerebral palsy and a Minecraft level was added to help autistic players, just to name a few. Even VR games are being developed to aid and distract patients in extreme pain. Science and technology makes gaming even more accessible to those who are faced with different challenges. It’s amazing!

What are your thoughts on Rex’s skills? Personally, I was floored. Seeing players overcome limitations just shows that we as gamers are so much more than a stereotype. Join in on the conversation in the comment section below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for live news updates 24/7!