CSE 493E:
The Future of Access Technology
Jesse J. Martinez | CSE 493E: The Future of Access Tech | Nov. 17, 2023
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Games & Accessibility
REMINDERS:
Zoom: Running
Screen AND Audio: Shared
Meeting: Recording
Captions: On
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Announcements
(1) Groups need to sign up for presentation slots TODAY since all groups are already formed
(2) If you don't check the "all group members will be present" box, you need to email us and explain why. Any group member who is not present will not receive a grade for the check-in
(3) Be prepared to be moved around within the day you sign up for once all groups request slots -- we may balance the spread over the hour.
(4) Schedule for remainder of quarter has been updated; updates to details toward end of final project as well
(5) Hoping to have finalized all outstanding assessments of your competencies by Monday (stretch) or Wednesday (latest)
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Content Warning:
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Games and Accessibility
a.k.a.: Playing on Hard Mode
Jesse J. Martinez | CSE 493E: The Future of Access Tech | Nov. 17, 2023
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Level 1:
Introduction
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About Me / Positionality (1/2)
Hey! I’m Jesse.
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About Me / Positionality (2/2)
Hey! I’m Jesse.
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Talk Goals:
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GAMES ARE WEIRD.
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Games are WEIRD. (1/5)
Games are WEIRD. (2/5)
“A game is a system in which players engage in an artificial conflict, defined by rules, that results in a �quantifiable outcome.”
– Salen & Zimmerman, Rules of Play
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Games are WEIRD. (3/5)
Is this a racing game, or a world exploration game?
METAGAMING:
Games are WEIRD. (4/5)
The Wall Effect (1/6)
Accessible Game Experience
The Wall Effect (2/6)
Accessible Game Experience
Barrier!!!
New Game Mechanic Introduced
The Wall Effect (3/6)
Accessible Game Experience
Barrier!!!
The Wall Effect (4/6)
The Wall Effect (5/6)
The Wall Effect (6/6)
???
Games are WEIRD. (5/5)
Intro to Game Accessibility
Traditional Accessibility
There should be no resistance from the system for PWD!
Remove all barriers to interaction!
Intro to Game Accessibility
Game Accessibility
Traditional Accessibility
There should be no resistance from the system for PWD!
Remove all barriers to interaction!
Well… not ALL the barriers
“The most accessible game is one that plays itself… but for some reason, no one ever wants to play it”
Difficulty vs. Accessibility
Ian Hamilton, “Difficulty vs. Accessibility”:
Difficulty: Capability vs. Barrier
Disability: Mismatched Interaction between�Capability and Barrier
Name! That! Challenge! (1/7)
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Name! That! Challenge! (2/7)
Dodging enemy attacks that require precise timing
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Name! That! Challenge! (3/7)
Dodging enemy attacks that require precise timing
Game Difficulty Challenge
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Name! That! Challenge! (4/7)
Dodging enemy attacks that require precise timing
Game Difficulty Challenge
Knowing where enemies are when the minimap is inaccessible
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Name! That! Challenge! (5/7)
Dodging enemy attacks that require precise timing
Game Difficulty Challenge
Knowing where enemies are when the minimap is inaccessible
Accessibility Challenge
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Name! That! Challenge! (6/7)
Dodging enemy attacks that require precise timing
Game Difficulty Challenge
Knowing where enemies are when the minimap is inaccessible
Accessibility Challenge
Hitting a moving target in a FPS game for a person with hand tremors playing against nondisabled players
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Name! That! Challenge! (7/7)
Dodging enemy attacks that require precise timing
Game Difficulty Challenge
Knowing where enemies are when the minimap is inaccessible
Accessibility Challenge
Hitting a moving target in a FPS game for a person with hand tremors playing against nondisabled players
?????????
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The Goal:
Reduce Unwanted Barriers,�while ensuring we still have�a game people actually want to play
Level 2:
The Landscape
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Game Accessibility Happens Everywhere:
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micro
macro
OS Features
Social A11y
Hardware
Game Settings
Input Processing
Gameplay choices
Rules & �Game Design
Hardware & Input - XAC
The Xbox Adaptive Controller
Strategy:�Meet the user where they are & allow them to use their existing AT
Enable customization for a broad range of unpredictable access needs
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micro
macro
Hardware ++ - Controller Project
The Controller Project
Strategy:�Get the player to where a game expects them
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micro
macro
Hardware, Input, Social - Co-Pilot
Xbox Co-Pilot
Strategy:�Offload work from the disabled player
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micro
macro
Game Options - Pathfinding
'God of War Ragnarok': Designing AAA Low Vision Game Accessibility (Mila Pavlin, GDC 2023)
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micro
macro
Game Options (+ OS?) - Speed Control
'Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - Accessibility Review (Steve Saylor)
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micro
macro
What we’ve seen so far:
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micro
macro
OS Features
Social A11y
Hardware
Game Settings
Input Processing
Gameplay choices
Rules & �Game Design
What I want to explore:
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micro
macro
OS Features
Social A11y
Hardware
Game Settings
Input Processing
Gameplay choices
Rules & �Game Design
Level 3:
Game Design
& Player Choices
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Accessible-by-Design Games
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Audiogames (Ex: Into the Dragon Cave)
Text-Based Games (Ex: The Forest of Doom)
Metagames
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Is this a racing game, or a world exploration game?
“Alternate Play Styles”
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New Super Mario Bros. U “Co-op” Mode? (Video Source - Achievement Hunter)
Discuss:
Have you ever modified the rules of a game? What rules of a game could you change to make it more accessible?
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“Playing on Hard Mode”
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Battlefield with standard Interface (HUD)
Battlefield in Hardcore Mode (no HUD)
Access Hacking & Appropriation
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Using Character Abilities for accessibility
The “Zelda Cane”
Community-built mods
Level 4:
Conclusion + What’s Next?
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Improving the Games Ecosystem
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The Game Adoption Process
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DISCOVERY
EVALUATION
ADAPTATION
The Game Adoption Process
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DISCOVERY
EVALUATION
ADAPTATION
GOAL: Find a game to (potentially) play
The Game Adoption Process
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DISCOVERY
EVALUATION
ADAPTATION
GOAL: Evaluate the state of the game’s accessibility
The Game Adoption Process
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DISCOVERY
EVALUATION
ADAPTATION
GOAL: Adapt the game to meet one’s access needs
The Game Adoption Process
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DISCOVERY
EVALUATION
ADAPTATION
The Game Adoption Process
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DISCOVERY
EVALUATION
ADAPTATION
Currently, this work is all being done by gamers with disabilities, but without standardized processes or dedicated tools
How Do We Improve Game Access?
Building Access Tools
Online Advocacy
Play Accessibly
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My Advice:
Do What’s Fun
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Games and Accessibility
a.k.a.: Playing on Hard Mode
Jesse J. Martinez | CSE 493E: The Future of Access Tech | Nov. 17, 2023
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