Introduction
Earlier, video games were solely considered as a means of entertainment accessible only through a visual medium, and this would automatically exclude visually impaired people from its audience. But, as technology has advanced, humans have figured out ways to make video games accessible to the visually impaired. It can be a bit challenging, but the gaming industry figureheads are gradually embracing the idea.
A significant number of game developers have taken up projects focusing on non-visual feedback of video games. This feedback is particularly important as this is, often, the only way in which the blind and visually impaired players can play and explore a video game-like anyone else would.
Are the Gambling Games Ready for the VI Players?
Gambling is one of the biggest and most lucrative gaming industries at this point. Just like the gaming world, the gambling world has also taken up the project to create VI-friendly games. Gambling for visually impaired gamers might prove as a challenge, especially without help from special software programs, such as screen readers. Many top providers are already investing top dollars into research and attempting to build themed slot games that are designed categorically for the VI punters.
Although there are some exceptions specially designed for such visually disabled gamers, however, those platforms may not allow gambling for real money yet. Which probably won’t be a problem for free slots no downloads fans.
Top 5 Video Games for Visually Impaired Players
1. Lost and Hound
The West Aussie indie game developer Brian Fairbanks has launched an adventure game called Lost and Hound, which is now fully accessible and available to be played by visually impaired people.
In this rescue adventure game, the player follows an audio trail using a dog named Biscuit. The game reflects a dog’s strong sense of hearing to execute the rescue mission.
The most interesting fact is each level in this game takes inspiration from real-life rescue dog operations. The operation includes sniffing out survivors from the ruins of earthquakes or in collapsed mines.
Brian aimed to develop a video game that was attainable to the visually impaired gaming community. He also wanted to maintain the visually appealing nature which attracts mainstream players. Lost and Hound may seem like a regular game. But once played with headphones plugged in, there is a whole new world where you can complete the levels by only using the audio.
Brian is of the opinion that most people consider accessibility as an afterthought at the very end of the entire production process. But, that is a very wrong approach. He says that it is not after the whole production process is completed that developers should think about what they can do about cognitive impairment and visual impairment. They need to keep the accessibility feature in mind from the very beginning and work on it.
2. Far Cry New Dawn
Far Cry New Dawn, launched by Ubisoft, has made use of various accessibility features which meet the needs of blind gamers. This game, which is taking place in an apocalyptic world, has features aiding blind gamers, such as:
- This game includes color-blind modes available in this game’s targets Deuteranopia and Protanopia.
- When key elements occur, there are various features that support the vision. The support and confirmation of visual elements are done via various sound effects.
- Autodrive options and aiming assists are available during the ground gameplay.
- This game also has vibration feedback.
- Players can also use voice communication in chat features without having to press any button.
In this post-apocalyptic world, you are put in the shoes of a new character who decides to help the residents of ‘Hope Country.’ Hope Country is not painted in a grim and dark atmosphere, but it is actually colorful and warm, symbolizing the recovery of the planet from the global nuclear apocalypse.
In this game, the conflict is mainly concentrated between the survivors and the Highwaymen. The survivors try to build a future by forming a community. But Highwaymen believe that the world is no more salvageable and keep moving from city to city, plundering all the resources, consuming them, and living for today. The player’s character aligns with the survivors, and they need to drive the Highwaymen out of town in order to rebuild civilization.
3. A Blind Legend
This audio-centric video game is Visually Impaired-friendly and comes from developer DOWiNO. The game deprives users completely of their sight in this game and relies completely on audio. The 3D environment is fully outlined by audio cues. The challenging combat systems are also completed using directional audio guides. This game is full of twists and has various gameplay styles, such as horse-riding, stealth, combat, and navigation around treacherous terrain. Step into the shoes of Edward Blake and live his adventures. Guided by Louise, his daughter, find your way to the prize by avoiding traps.
The sound of the rushing river coming closer, Louise’s whispers in his ear, the sound of the galloping horse, and the whistling and clicking of the enemy’s sword – all of these are recreated and magnified so that they become more immersive and convincing.
This video game makes use of the sensory experience provided by binaural 3D sounds. This makes the usage of headphones compulsory. This innovative technology pushes this video game beyond its boundaries and engages you in an immersive sensory journey never experienced before. The intense 3D soundscape hooks both sighted and visually impaired players to the game.
4. Mortal Kombat 11
Mortal Kombat 11 has great blind accessibility features, such as sound effects to guide the visually impaired. The game’s fighting system is intense, and almost all of its aspects are accessible. The movements, the attacks – everything has sound. Sound effects are included when your defensive and offensive meters increase. An audio cue is also available when your most powerful attack, the Fatal Blow, is available. If you activate that in the options menu, you can hear cautionary sounds when your enemy is near and when you are close to environmental interaction. Everything is accounted for in the fighting gameplay.
The stereo positioning is skillfully done too. You are warned when your opponent is close or far away. This way, you are alerted, and you can throw a strike or a fireball. During these tutorials, one might notice that every button that players are supposed to press has an associated tone with them. This helps you to perceive the moves in action, and in the process also, learn which buttons to press to cause the desired action. All of these are amazingly helpful to the VI players.
5. Shades of Doom
Shades of Doom video game is Windows-based and created for the visually impaired. This revolutionary game builds a virtual reality by means of sound effects. This game immerses the player into a world filled with action, thrill, and suspense by using multi-dimensional multi-layered sound effects. It is mainly self-voiced. So, a screen reader is not needed to play this game.
You are supposed to use the sound of wind in the passages and rooms, the sounds of equipment, the echo made by footsteps to proceed in your quest of shutting down the ill-fated experiment.
Some of the accessibility features are listed below:
- Dynamic multi-layered, 3D sound having up to 32 different tracks playing at the same time.
- These sounds can make use of either stereo or surround sound systems.
- Realistic movement sounds are enabled by the usage of Doppler.
- In order to enable non-surround sound systems, synthesized 3D effects are used.
- Original music is used in real-time gameplay.
- Full accessible help is available, along with optional joystick support.
- The key commands are easy to remember.
- This game grants you the ability to form Braille-ready maps to aid the VI gamers.
Conclusion
Accessibility consultant Ian Hamilton, after much research, says that the most important accessibility feature is voiced menus which generally implies a text-to-speech gaming UI. To enable these features, game developers use text-to-speech software or screen readers to turn text and elements of user interfaces into voice. Nowadays, these are increasingly implemented as basic features of the operating systems and software such as JAWS or NVDA.
A UI is allowing text-to-speech features to be fully usable by visually impaired players. In spite of that, titles that include embellishments such as exploration of environments will require ways to make that particular digital space comprehensible through audio equivalents for visual cues, 3D sound design, and a manual.
Hamilton is of the opinion that games such as Grand Theft Auto V and Forza 7 can already be accessed and are, in fact, played by many blind gamers.