You've been logged out of GDC Vault since the maximum users allowed for this account has been reached. To access Members Only content on GDC Vault, please log out of GDC Vault from the computer which last accessed this account.

Click here to find out about GDC Vault Membership options for more users.

close

Session Name:

Beyond Graphics: Reaching the Visually Impaired Gamer

Overview:

On the surface, the move to touchscreen devices and their visually oriented interfaces would seem to be an anathema for the visually impaired. Surprisingly, the opposite is true; they have had a rapid and life-changing effect, with smartphone uptake amongst people with profound vision impairments outstripping the rest of the population. Modern smartphones have powerful and sophisticated technologies to specifically facilitate their use by those with vision impairments. These technologies, and others, are actually very simple and straightforward for developers to work with, making it increasingly easy to accommodate those with vision impairments or even target them directly. In this session, speakers will present their experiences specifically creating or modifying games with the visually impaired in mind, during the development or refinement of games such as Zombies, Run!, MUDRammer and Ear Monsters. This session will discuss vision related accessibility in gaming, ranging from what there is to gain from it, creative gameplay issues, as well as technical and business challenges and rewards. Also presenting is blind video gamer and advocate, Brandon Cole, for his unique insight into gaming as a person with a visual impairment, and as a beginning hobbyist game developer.

Did you know free users get access to 30% of content from the last 2 years?


Get your team full access to the most up to date GDC content

  • GDC 2014
  • Brandon Cole
  • Independent
  • Ian Hamilton
  • Ian Hamilton DC
  • Jonathan Hersh
  • Splinesoft LLC
  • Alex Macmillan
  • Six to Start
  • Brian Schmidt
  • Ear Games
  • free content
  • Advocacy
  • Advocacy