How to find and set up accessible games on your computer.
Note: As a work in progress, expect this content to change (hopefully for the better) over time.
Step 1. Setting up an accessible gaming environment
Even the most accessibly designed game will be difficult to play in an inaccessible environment. The first step of this guide explains how to set up your personal computer for maximum accessibility. Although some of the best video games are made for PlayStation or XBox gaming consoles,
I recommend using your personal computer, because it provides the largest array of assistive hardware, as well as free accessible games online (it is currently easier for independent developers to create games for a personal computer then a dedicated game consoles like Play Station). Here are the first things you'll need to set up:
1) Screen size: Regardless of the disability, I found that having a large screen is always helpful. In addition, you would want to decrease the screens resolution to 800x600 or even 640x480. Here's a quick guide to doing so.
2) Audio: Many games use sound extensively in their game. Although we don't always notice it, sound elements in games actually help guide our visual and cognitive perceptions. For example, a spaceship approaching from behind, prompting the gamer to turn around. In some cases, the game even depends on it - for example, when spoken dialogs are a major part of the game narrative.
Do everything you can to make the audio loud and clear. For most gamers, mid-range priced PC speakers should do the trick. For games with hearing impairments, try using a sub-woofer speaker to translate the game's audio into sub-frequency vibrations. It won't help with dialogs, but may support other aspects of the game.
3) Input: Most games for PCs can be controlled using a keyboard and mouse. Mainstream games (but not online games) are sometimes made for Joystick and game-pads in mind. But many gamers with disabilities find these devices either too complex or intricate to use. In such cases, it is necessary to find an alternative input method. As many games can be played with 4 or 5 keys and a mouse, you can greatly improve accessibility by using a Keyboard Switch Interface. These nifty devices allow you to connect a large selection of assistive switches to the computer. Usually up to 5 button switches can be connected - and each will simulate a keyboard key when pressed. When a gamer activates the button switch, the designated keyboard letter is entered as if the child used a regular keyboard. So for example, a game like Tetris that uses the four arrow keys could be played by attaching four assistive button switches to the Switch Interface, and mapping each button to one of the arrow keys.
Some Switch Interfaces also enable the connected button switches to move the mouse cursor and single/double-click, which is very helpful for games that are primarily controlled with a mouse. Regardless of the make and model you choose, most of these devices use 1/8'' female plugs (like headphones), and as most assistive switches come with 1/8'' male plugs (its the de facto standard), you'll have an easy time finding compatible hardware for your Switch Interface.
Here are some sites to get you started with your search
(we have no affiliated to any of this firms):
Switch Interface Devices:
Basic, a great start: don Johnston , infogrip
Wireless, more expensive: Intellitools , infogrip
Simple button switches:
Enabling Devices , Infogrip
When shopping for button switches, stay away from fancy ones that also have built in recorders or toggle functions. The only functionality you need is a switch that stays on when pressed and off when released. While you're browsing the sites above, notice that switches come in many shapes and sizes. If you're not sure what to get, or if you need a special type of switch (like a sip-and-puff or whisker switch), try to find an Assistive-Technology expert in your area. These professionals usually have an arsenal of equipment for onsite testing. They sometimes also double as sales-reps for the equipment, but you can opt to buy it else ware and only pay for consultation.
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Step 2: BloxLand - your first accessible game
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Before we commence our search online for accessible games, lets try one out that can help us asses our accessibility needs. BloxLand is a tetris game made accessible for a wide range of disabilities. Try to play the game, and experiment with its settings menu to adjust the following factors:
- Input Controls: Choose one of these three ways to play the game:
a) Use the four arrow keys - similar to traditional tetris.
b) Use the mouse to press the four buttons on the screen.
c) Use a single switch, using a scanning-interface; In this mode, the buttons on the screen will turn on in sequence. Press the spacebar to activate the button which is currently selected. You can enter Scan mode by either choosing it when the game first loads, or by entering the settings menu (press the 'M' button, or the 'M' key).
- Difficulty: By default, all of the Tetris shapes will be used. If this is difficult, change the menu settings from 'All shapes' to 'Add new shapes every level'. In this mode, the game will start with only two simple shapes, and gradually introduce new ones as the game moves on.
- Speed: By default, BloxLand is different from Tetris because the blocks do not fall automatically. In the settings menu, try changing the 'Set how the shapes drop downwards' mode, and explore your ability to cope with the temporal aspect of the game.
- Is the game graphically legible? If not, what is the problem? Are the elements too small? Is color-blindness an issue? [ In the next update to this document, a new feature to the Bloxland game will include accessibility settings for the visually impaired ]
Play the game for a while, until these the answers to these questions become clear:
Was the game playable with the blocks falling automatically? Do you feel that with more practice, this could be achieved? If not, you'll need to find games where time is not a major determining factor. I'll explain how to do so later in the article.
Was the game easily playable with a keyboard or a mouse? Is a switch interface needed? Was the scanning-interface used? If the game could only be played with one switch, than you should concentrate on finding single-switch games (visit the oneswitch site for a collection of such games).
- Was the game successfully played? If not, was it difficult to understand its goals? Did you try to use the menu setting where only the easy shapes appear at first? Did that help? If not, than games that are made for a younger demographic may work better. Or look for games that allow for an explorative and open ended game play. Even if such a game is not played as intended, it can still by fun. Many popular games have 'arcade modes' that allow for such game play. Also, look online for 'cheat codes' - these are little tricks that the game company placed inside the game, enabling the game to be played without loosing. [ In the next update to this document, a list of such games and cheat codes will be added ]
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Step 3: Finding more games
With these insights in mind, you should be ready to hunt for more games! You'll need to try many games, throw away 90% and keep the 10% that work. In each instance, try to understand why the game did not work and carefully traverse through its menu setting to see if the problem can be fixed.
When searching for games, you have two main avenues:
1) Start with small games that are freely available online. Many of these free games provide a fun challenge without the complexity of the larger mainstream titles. Some of them are even made with accessibility in mind! Here are a couple of links:
Don't forget - You'll need to try many games, throw away 90% and keep the 10% that work
www.oneswitch.org.uk/2/switch-downloads.htm - a great catalog of games that can be played with a single switch, from one of the best sites dedicated to accessible gaming.
www.gamesforthebrain.com/ - Although they are not made with accessibility in mind, these simple and familiar games will only require basic mouse interaction.
www.ics.forth.gr/hci/ua-games/games.html - Accessible Chess and space invaders.
www.deafgamers.com - Reviews of games from the perspective of deaf gamers. Also check out audiogames.net
www.gameonbeta.org.uk/ - Reviews of many games, sorted by accessibility features. Some free, some not. Start by using the blue search box on the right to narrow your search with the game options you're looking for. Notice how the assessment process form step2 with BloxLand can come handy at this point. For starters, you should choose the 'try or play for free' option.
2) Big mainstream games: Most mainstream games like Doom and the Sims are widely played by typical peers and relate to popular culture. Millions of dollars are poured into their production, and they are masterfully designed to entertain. The problem is that they are usually not accessible - at least not out of the box. This can be a problem especially if you purchase the game only to find out that its not accessible for your needs. Furthermore, many games require a learning curve, so how do you know if the game is really inaccessible or just hard to pick up at first? A great solution is to borrow game CD's from friends and family, try them out, and then purchase the ones that work well. Also, try to have the game's owner come by and teach the 1-2-3's of playing the game. Sometimes there's a simple menu setting, trick, cheat, or mini-game, that can make a seemingly inaccessible game into a fun experience for almost any child. Even installing the game can be a hassle unless you've done it once or twice, so don't be shy - phone your friends, neighbors and family, and ask them to come by and play! You'll be surprised - most people love to teach others how to play games. And don't forget to buy the game if you like it!
www.ablegamers.com is a web site that discusses the issue of mainstream games for the disabled.
gamescc.rbkdesign.com This web site is dedicated to a making mainstream games accessible to the hearing impaired with closed captioning. |
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Step 4. Where to next?
From all of the sites that i've found online, game-accessibility.com is the most well rounded and informative. Visit their games section for more gaming suggestions and advice, categorized by visual/auditory/visual/learning disabilities.
switchgaming.blogspot.com is a wonderful Blog on accessibility and video gaming. I highly recommend it.
Both of the sites mentioned above will lead you to further resources. Happy gaming! |
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