Hi, I also think it's a question as to how its put across.
For example, I play a game called core exiles, it can be found at http://www.core-exiles.com Up until a year or so ago, the developer had no idea as to what making a game accessible was all about. Then the likes of dark and myself came along and said hey we wana play too! Well anyway with time he responded and most favourably and because we worked with him to help make it happen, the game has become far more playable. The problem is that making a game or any piece of software accessible is a brand new concept and I think to be very honest with you that too many people just expect it to be done rather than actually helping to bring about the end result. I'll give you an example, this morning 2 of us were helping the developer over irc chat to make a part of core exiles that was useable but not user friendly for screen readers to be much more user friendly. He asked for our help which is right because at the end of the day it's us that needs it he isn't going to know if the changes he implements work or not is he. So if we hadn't have helped him I doubt very much that the tweeks would have taken place. But because we did then not only did he do this, he's going to be encouraged by it and as such we can get more things done. It's a 2 fold problem. Yes people expect accessibility and I'm not saying they shouldn't, but I also think that those who expect it need to help bring it about in any way they can.. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Eleanor Sent: 29 November 2010 14:22 To: [email protected] Subject: [Audyssey] Accessibility and mainstream companies Neo said that : *"Accessibility is something that has to be considered right at the beginning of a game's development in order for it to be fully implemented. And, yes, you're right sometimes it comes down to money."* I have to agree with that statement completely. It costs 7-128 Software about 20% more time and effort to put in the accessibility features we use in our games. You have to want to do this - not just react to a few people asking for it - because it costs us more to produce our games than it would without accessibility features included. What we need to do is to help game companies realize that it can be profitable to add accessibility features to their games. This means to: 1. Prove that the number of possible consumers is enough to make it profitable. 2. Show that many of the accessibility features improve game-play for all gamers. 3. Show that *folks will buy their games* if they put in the accessibility features to make it playable. So far, we have not been successful in doing this. The IGDA accessibility SIG has tried to demonstrate this as have other organizations - but it is going to take a lot of effort (not merely complaining) to help game companies to realize this. And people have to buy the games. Eleanor Robinson 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected]. --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected].
