Ability Machines What Video Games Mean for Disability

The book is noted as an academic work that addresses issues concerning disability in games. It is also identified as the first widely available academic publication in its specific field, suggesting its potential to initiate discussion on an important topic.

However, the review is overwhelmingly critical, asserting that the book suffers from significant oversimplifications regarding disability issues within gaming. The author's approach is described as a polemic, characterized by a "borderline hysterical" tone and a tendency to demonize game developers and journalists. The reviewer, drawing on personal experience, disputes the author's portrayal of the industry. A major point of concern is the author's self-admitted lack of disability, which the reviewer believes results in a poor grasp of fundamental concepts in disability representation. The book's content is considered so problematic that the reviewer expresses hope for future works by disabled individuals to correct its erroneous sentiments and mitigate any potential damage to the fields of disability rights and accessible gaming.

Overall, this review strongly advises against reading the book unless absolutely necessary. The reviewer finds the work deeply flawed, particularly regarding its accuracy, tone, and the author's perceived lack of relevant lived experience. It is suggested that the book could be detrimental to the discourse on disability in gaming. Therefore, this book would likely appeal primarily to readers who are specifically required to engage with it for academic purposes, such as a dissertation literature review, rather than those seeking a nuanced or accurate understanding of disability issues from an informed perspective.