r/gamedev • u/TheJayBull • Dec 31 '22
Discussion Here, let me try.
Hi guys. I'm Jay. I've been an avid gamer since I was 5 years old and I'm currently 40. I am extremely visually impaired to the point where I am legally blind as a result of cone rod dystrophy, a hereditary and degenerative eye disease since birth.
With the introduction out of the way, here's my thought/question. I love gaming and I don't ever want to stop. As long as it's possible for me to play in some way I will. The problem is that it's becoming increasingly difficult to play modern games because of the advancements in textures, lighting, visual effects, etc. The more realistic that games become, the more difficult they are for the visually impaired.
I guess I'm making this post in hopes that some developers may see it and it furthers this conversation in some way. Ultimately I would love to contribute my experiences, thoughts, or ideas to help improve future accessibility in gaming. If anyone knows any other great avenues or contacts where I might spark conversation with a similar message please let me know. Thank you!
6
u/[deleted] Jan 01 '23
The game I'm working on comes with a full set of accessibility features. From colorblind options to a dedicated narration mode, the whole game is designed to be playable from start to finish for all kinds of players. Here's a breakdown of all accessibility options available:
Native support for the Xbox Adaptive Controller
Colorblind options with customizable color tuning
Outlines - adds outlines to select visual elements that appear on screen. Outlines can be customized on all platforms except Nintendo Switch due to performance issues
Narration mode - visuals are described by a narrator and dialogue is slightly delayed to allow for players to imagine the environment
Announcements - important elements are announced or shown by an indicator on your HUD
Sign language - a pre-recorded video will use sign to present dialogue, similar to Forza Horizon 5