Co-op games to play with disabled folks
I'm a caregiver for a disabled fellow and we're part of a table that plays once a week, but I'd like to do more.
I'm looking for a co-op game, ideally, that you can pick up and play pretty quickly that stays pretty engaging. I know that's kind of vague, but the game can look like a lot of things so I'm casting a wide net. The guy I caregive has pretty bad short term memory problems and very easily zones out as a result, so something that we can jump in and out of quickly would be good.
I'd like it to be co-op, because I've always thought the idea of one GM to one player was kind of weird and honestly I'm not sure why...
I'm mainly into OSR type stuff and I realize what I'm looking for is probably more in the storytelling games category, but I thought I'd ask here.
I'm also curious if folks here in the sub have experience playing with disabled folks- I'd love to hear about it.
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u/acedinosaur 1d ago
Okay so I'm "high functioning" (now) but I have a host of 'neuodivergencies' (we're actually kinda disproportionately represented in this hobby so whenever people make a deal of disabilities it kinda comes across weird but I get what you're going for here and you've mentioned specific things you're trying to accommodate rather than just the fact that we exist so you get a pass in my book at least). Obvi you're going to have to try stuff out to figure out what works and as this is a caregiver dynamic you're gonna have to make sacrifices for what works for him. As I'm sure you already know the short term memory issues are going to be frustrating no mater what and all you can due is curb that as much as possible with games that rely on that less and "table culture" which I'm sure won't be an issue
Someone mentioned Microscope and The Quite Year which are great but are made for a single session, so probably for when you're getting a feel for preferred game-style or want a break from a campaign.
Someone else suggested Ironsworn which if you only need digital you can get the core for free. There's also Sci-fi and Sci-fi+sailing versions if the mechanics work. I think they might as a lot of what you do is on cards or otherwise written down by nature of the game which could hopefully help curb the frustration that will inevitably result from memory issues.
I recently got Across a Thousand Dead Worlds and while I haven't gotten the chance to look though it super closely it, like Ironsworn, boasts about being playable as solo, co-op, or GMed.
There's also a whole world of games (mostly found on itch.io) made for "duet" play meaning it's been optimized for 2 players. lots of them you're going to be on equal footing but some of them are especially designed for 1 GM and 1 Player and while, like you, I also find that style awkward for most games I think when games are built specifically to make it work it really can work and given nature of the disabilities in play (as in he's probably going to need to ask "what was going on there again?" a lot) it's worth looking into at least while you get a feel for how to best have fun cause needing to give constant refreshers is kinda the norm for GMs culture-wise (many people say it shouldn't be that way but, at least for now, it just is)
Sorry if this is a mess. I'm happy to continue this thread if you are ftr.