Re: [Audyssey] I'm getting married in about five hours
Dark, Not OT at all. You have lots of friends here. Congratulations. Barbara and I had 31 years before she died. Getting married is scary. It is not easy all the time. It is the most wonderful thing that you can do. Rock on! John Bannick 7-128 Software On 7/3/16 12:40 PM, dark wrote: Hi. First, yes this message is offtopic because it has bugger all to do with games, other than to report I'll be away and not doing anything even vaguely game related for the next couple of days. I'm getting married in roughly five hours now, and frankly, I'm feeling a bit stunned, and slightly scared, for all that this is an absolutely wonderful experience and something that I literally couldn't live without. So appologies in advance for my absense, and my ot message. All the best, Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Away and weddings
Dark, HAPPY WEDDING! The 7-127 team: John, Cyndi, Eleanor, Marcia, David, Griffin On 6/3/16 8:32 AM, dark wrote: Hi Everyone. This is just to let people know, as of Monday I'll be away for a while. I'm going to America with my lady in order to get married and won't be back until august. For some really weerd reason I can't fathom, when I was there over christmas I could receieve email and not send, so you probably won't bhear from me for a bit. If I'm wrong and the mails work, fare enough, though if not, bare in mind I'll still be reading list traffic, I just won't be responding (I'll still be on audiogames.net though, so you can always reach me on the forums there or by pm). I'll be around until monday, but as I'm busy with leave preparations, I thought I'd tell everyone now. If I don't speak again, hope everyone has a nice summer. All the best, Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] problem installing all in play software under windows 7.
Alex and others, Despite Freedom Scientific's claims, JAWS appears not to fully support 64-bit Windows, either Windows 7 or Vista. Our company encountered this in 2010 specific to programs written in Java, but I suspect the problem is wider. We did extensive research on this when JAWS stopped speaking our games when running under 64-bit Windows 7. FS tech support told us in March of 2010, The issue currently is the accessibility bridge not loading as it should in the Windows 64 bit environment. John Oliviera, a colleague who runs the Mass. Council for the Blind, told me: FS is well aware of the problem but they only do what they can. They would like major companies to pay them to solve the specific problems but most have refused to pay because it can be costly. Another colleague said that he'd notified FS of this problem in June of 2009 re 64-bit Vista. The general problem seems to be JAWS not looking in the 64-bit systems directory for stuff it needs. The symptom can be either JAWS speaking just the Windows title bars and keystrokes, or being totally silent. BTW. Our tests showed that NVDA works just fine on 64-bit Windows. Again, I suspect their bug affects more than just Java. However, there's a bigger implication than just for games. Say you rely on a software tool for your job. And you rely on JAWS. Then I.T. comes in and upgrades you to 64-bit Windows 7. You can't do your job. In any event, for our own stuff we're relying on SAPI voices and just using what remains of JAWS as a nice-to-have. I personally think that FS is shooting themselves in the foot. Based on the evidence, and my 30+ years of software engineering experience, this does not look like a tough problem to fix. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] DarkDice Two
AudysseyFolks, The original DarkDice wasn't good enough. On the way to work, I thought up a totally better interface. So DarkDice Two is now up on our Web site. It uses Dragon Dice notation. Just enter 1d4, or 2d8, etc. Any number of dice, any number of faces. I've rolled 1000d1000. You can concatenate: 3d6+2d8, etc. You can flip a coin: 1d2. You can even do impossible dice: 1d3. Still uses SAPI self-voicing, though I made that a bit faster, too. It's free, though it requires you have one of our games installed. That's because it piggybacks on some of the stuff in our game installation. You can get it at www.7128.com under Resources. Enjoy, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] DarkDice
Folks, We just posted the free program, DarkDice, on our Web site. DarkDice is an audio dice roller. It self-voices using your SAPI voice. You can roll any number of dice with any number of faces. We've tested it up to 1,000 dice with 1,000 faces. It's free, but you must have any 7-128 Software game installed for it to work, because DarkDice piggy-backs on our game code. Later, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] SAPI and VB Script
Shaun, Thomas, Jim, and Dark, Thanks for the quick and on-point technical guidance. I'm particularly grateful for the tip about JNA. Even though I've been doing Java for money for over a decade, I'd never heard of JNA. Going to research it this next week, both for our games and the consulting I do. In any event, we'll definitely use the information you gave in our SAPI project. Thanks. You guys are the best. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] SAPI and VB Script
Thomas or any other major coder out there, Please give me your opinion of a possible technical solution to getting SAPI into our games. I recently discovered that Windows XP and later include the ability to run Visual Basic scripts from the DOS command line. Also, I recently discovered that said VB Scripts can speak SAPI voices. Thirdly, I can invoke VB from within a Java app. I wrote an experimental Java program that does just that. It seems that we could ship our games with a simple VB script that they invoke, and Voila! we have SAPI speech. What do you think? As both a game developer and game player, what are the negatives, if any? Thanks, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] 64 bit computer
Actually, it's the combination of JAWS and applications written in Java that does not work on a 64-bit Windows (either Vista or Seven) machine, not JAWS itself. According to posts on the Web, this appears to be because in 64-bit Windows JAWS does not look in the correct directory for the main Java Access Bridge DLL. I've confirmed this personally using JAWS 11 on one of our 64-bit Windows 7 PCs. I've also confirmed this with Peter Korn, lead Java accessibility guy at Oracle (nee Sun). Also, John Oliviera, head of our Massachusetts Council for the Blind, confirmed this. He told me that Freedom Scientific wants someone else, presumably an outside company, to pay for the fix. I'd contacted John and a number of influential people in the blind community about this. Not because of our games. They self-voice. But because more business applications are written in Java than in any other language. And an increasing number of business PCs are going to be upgraded over time. Often without much notice to the employee. When they are, very likely they will have 64-bit Windows. So you come to work and Voila! You can't do your job. It's a serious issue and I thought that someone with influence should yarp about it. However, given this new information about there being a 64-bit specific JAWS, I'll personally investigate this. Though I suspect that the results will be the same. JAWS will still not work with apps coded in Java that are running on 64-bit Windows. BTW. The latest NVDA works fine with Java apps on 64-bit Windows. I tried it myself. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Need an American Teenager or Student who is a Blind or VI Gamer
Munawar, I passed your email on to Voice of America. Don't know if or when they might contact you. My limited experience with the media is that things happen very randomly. Ron, Thanks for the kind offer. I suspect both you and I are too far out of student-hood for their needs. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Need an American Teenager or Student who is a Blind or VI Gamer
Dakotah, Thanks for responding so fast. I forwarded your email to the reporter at Voice of America. John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Need an American Teenager or Student who is a Blind or VI Gamer
Audyssey Folks, We just got the following request for an American teenaged or student gamer who is blind or visually impaired. Voice of America Urdu TV needs to interview a visually impaired teenager or student about what types of games he or she plays. Patrick Timony from MLK Library in D.C. suggested that you might be able to help us locate someone in the D.C. area for the interview. This is a brief television interview for our Hello America segment in which Pakistanis pose questions to Americans about daily life, culture, etc. We need to do the interview in the next week or two, but it can be done at the location of the interviewee's convenience. Please let me know if you can put me in contact with someone. I don't know if the person must be in the DC area or if the interview could be by phone. If anyone wants their 15 minutes of fame, this would be an excellent opportunity. (No, Thomas, Jim, and some of youse other guys. I know you aren't kids, at least in years, smile.) (And I know that Dark is English.) Anyway, if anyone is interested, drop a post here and I'll connect you to the TV person. John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Ablegamers.com
Folks, Please help me determine if the Web site www.ablegamers.com is indeed now blind accessible. I've been bugging Mark Barlet, the Webmaster, for a year about this. We met here in Boston last week and he said he'd added skipnav and related features. But my skills at JAWS are pathetic. And his Web site is information-dense. I got in and realized that I can't do a fair evaluation on my own. Mark is a sighted disabled Vet, who's had a demonstrable effect getting the mainstream game biggies to make their stuff more accessible to the motion impaired. If we can help him make his Web site more blind and VI accessible, then perhaps we can get some of his effectiveness to benefit the blind and VI gaming community. Please go to www.ablegamers.com and post here how it works for you. Dark, how well does Mark's Web site work for your reader? Thanks, John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Another game programming question
Nick, Here's the link to the Java Access Bridge: http://java.sun.com/javase/technologies/accessibility/accessbridge/ We use it with Java / Swing for all our games. However, I agree with Thomas. If you are starting out with no legacy code, then you might be better off with Java / SWT. Java's two strong points are: 1. It's a lot easier to learn, code, and maintain than C++. 2. You can use it on the Mac and on Linux. If your games demand high-powered sound, then Thomas is also correct that the C#/C++ API's are better than what Java offers. But be prepared for a whole lot of work. Just ask him. John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Visit Salem
Phil, Yes. The audio files could be bundled separately. Though they total about 6 hours of playing time and 450 Mb of disk space. The music, interviews and voiceovers are in mp3 files. The Salem March is a midi. The incidental sounds (sea gulls, crowds, fireworks, etc) are wav's. Certainly a player could be programmed. Or one could just play them on their computer. David, our writer, deliberately scripted the voiceovers to include visual descriptions of the monuments, buildings, etc. so that later they would work for people who are blind. What I personally want to do is make this into the first truly accessible travelogue. But that's going to take some work. And that's not likely to happen until this summer at earliest. If my group gives me the time. John www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Visit Salem
Shaun, You are generous. But first we gotta build 'em. It's 7:30 pm here in Salem, on a Saturday night, and I think it's time to stop coding and go have dinner. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] My Game Development Schedule
Right on, Thomas! It's evident from your posts that you're working your tail off creating good accessible games. The posts themselves are often valuable technical or business guidance that are certainly appreciated at our end. Having recently emerged from 6 months of constant work getting our own Visit Salem game out, I can heartily endorse the notion of you Getting a Life. Now go watch cartoons with your family! John Bannick Geek --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] My Game Development Schedule
William, Nope; Visit Salem is not an adventure game. It's a travelogue of Salem, Massachusetts. Totally inaccessible, I'm afraid. See my screed on the subject in the Audyssey post You can make a Difference I am scheduled to resume work on Sinister Cities this summer. That's a series of CYOA games. Think Casablanca or Indiana Jones, set in the 1920's. They will be blind accessible. Maybe with SAPI, if I can get the time. John www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] 7-128 Game Accessibility was Screen Readers and Games
Thomas, You're correct; SWT is an excellent clone of Java Swing. I've done some SWT and coded Swing for 10 years. However, no way are we going to convert our code base from Swing to SWT. You're right to suspect that it would take too much time and expense. Nor are we likely to go to a two-API code base. Ditto. BTW. IMHO the bit about SWT looking and feeling more natural than Swing is nonsense. I've been doing GUI professionally since before the G in GUI. When you ask someone to really compare a Swing GUI to an SWT GUI, no one I've challenged has been able to tell the difference. But then again, folks in our profession are known for sometimes putting religion in front of observed phenomena. Also, I think the SWT toolkit is equal to, but not better than Swing. Not religion, just a worker-bee who uses the stuff all day. But you are correct that SWT would be a superior accessibility choice. And if I were starting our company today, very likely SWT would be what we would use. Thanks for the insights, John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Screen Readers and Games
Dark, I agree entirely. The Kevin voice is free, but sounds a bit like Robbie the Robot. Hopefully my gang here will give me the time to add a true SAPI interface this summer. It will require going in and modifying the FREE-TTS sourcecode. But I have the technical chops to do it. Just takes a lot of time. Re your writing up changes you'd like to see. Please do. Offline via email if that's easier for you. Despite deadlines and commitments, no one can prevent me from tweaking code to make it more accessible. Hee, hee, hee... John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Semiotics
Game Developers, Here's an interesting academic paper about a blind-accessible mobile phone game. The interesting thing about it is the way the three Brazilians used Semiotics, the study of communication, signs, and symbols, to define their user interface. They defined the messages they wanted the game to send to the player, and the messages they wanted the user to send to the game. Then added the restriction of no visible user interface. Check it out at: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttextpid=S0104-6500200900015lng=ennrm=isotlng=en I got it from Tara Kirk at Gamecritics.com. Her take on the game is at: http://www.gamecritics.com/blog/tera-kirk John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] You Can Make a Difference
How You can make a difference Over the next several weeks you personally can make computer games more accessible. 1. Buy accessible games as gifts (Not necessarily ours, but anyones') 2. Suggest to friends and family that accessible games make good gifts 3. And, most importantly, suggest to everyone who'll stand still for a minute that they tell game companies when they've bought their game because it was accessible. Our own 7-128 Software recently released Visit Salem, a travelogue game. It includes over 6 hours of audio descriptions, history, architecture, music and interviews. It's also totally inaccessible to players who are blind, deaf, or motion-impaired. Why? Because it would take an additional 6 months to make it accessible. Even with a code base that includes a lot of accessibility features and useful guidance from John Oliveira, a colleague and head of our Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, and from you folks and other folks I know in the accessibility community. I'd love to make it accessible to players who are blind, or deaf, or motion-impaired. But the consensus among our management team is that there are too few potential sales to justify the effort and expense, at least at this time. Game margins are razor slim. Electronic Arts lost tens of millions of dollars this year, also last year. The difference between profit and loss at our small mainstream company is tiny. Posts by Thomas, Che, and other colleagues suggest that a few more sales could help pay their light bills, too. Posts by Dark, Mark Barlet, Brian Papineau, and my own experience here suggest that some mainstream game companies do respond positively when you tell them I buy your stuff because you make it work for me. I buy other people's stuff when you don't So, over the next few weeks you personally can either sit on your hands and look forward to a future of not getting the games you want, or you can make a difference. (And yes, I ping Her Interactive when I buy their moderately accessible Nancy Drew mystery games.) John Bannick Chief Technical Officer 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] 7-128 Game Accessibility was Screen Readers and Games
Thomas et al, The API. from Quentin, you mentioned sounds extremely interesting. And PM says it might be at audiogames.net. I'll go look for it. Thanks guys, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Screen Readers and Games
Thomas is correct, IMHO. Having self-voicing in a game ensures its audio interface is present and works the way you want it to, without the idiosyncracies of JAWS, etc. However, a colleague at the Carrol Center for the Blind long ago convinced us that a game without JAWS won't sell to U.S. blind gamers. I'm not a marketing person so I don't know if he's right or wrong there. I'm certainly not qualified to join the which-screen-reader-is-best wars. But as a sighted programmer, having to code for any screen reader is excellent discipline. It forces me to have at least a basic grasp of some of audio display issues and results in a better audio user interface. However, coding for a screen reader is a lot of work. In order to make a user interface that is pleasing to a blind gamer, a visually-impaired gamer, and a sighted gamer, we often speak stuff that isn't displayed on the screen. That takes not only extra plumbing, as Thomas and other coders know well, but sometimes changes the user interface architecture. And sometimes takes pure magic. JAWS has a clunky, but workable interface to the Java language we use. It also has a Braille interface. Something I'd like to pursue some day with the folks at Helen Keller or SENSE in the UK. The folks in Fort Wayne haven't yet added a Java interface to Windows Eyes, though I suspect that I could access their API via Java's C/C++ interface. But that would take a lot of work, add to the complexity of the code, and increase the probability of bugs. I think Dark at one time told us that he tried one of our games with HAL and it seemed to work. Maybe they use the same Java API as JAWS. However, getting a copy, learning it, and designing and coding for it have the same issues as for Windows Eyes. So self-voicing plus JAWS seems the optimal solution to an audio interface. That being said, I'm personally not satisfied with Kevin, our voice. Though as the real Kevin says, It's free. Don't complain. I know enough now to make the Free-TTS code work with SAPI. However, that's probably over a month of analysis, design, and coding; more for testing and debugging. I'm pushing management here to include SAPI in our summer work. But we're a small mainstream game company with small margins. And the iron jaws of capitalism dictate profit or die. John Bannick Chief Technology Officer 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Accessible Mainstream Games
Darren, You raise a good point: How many people outside of this little community actually know about audyssey and said games? We're 7-128 Software, a small company (more a small orchestra than a one-man band) that makes mainstream casual games that are accessible. We've just published our third annual Top 25 Web Sites for Gamers who are Blind. Audyssey.org is number 2 on that list. A number of Audyssey folks also have sites on that list. For three years we've been sending this list to a range of blind-related institutions (for example Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired), organizations, forums, blogs, and other media. And we offer free demos. And our ALERT project offers free help to educators using accessible games. And our detective games, puzzle games, and word games are (for the most part) not rehashes And guess what: we have the same problem that Thomas, Che, Liam, Jim, and the others do in making ourselves known. I'll bet you never heard of us. Publicity (which means advertising with minimal cost) is tough, really really tough. This year we're being much more aggressive with our publicity. Hopefully, this will make more people aware of Audyssey.org as well as ourselves. Oh. BTW. Not to critisize at all; but some of those rehashes are very popular in the blind gaming community. I suspect because guys like the above really know how to add their own gameness to their products. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Accessible Mainstream Games
Folks, Having now read the plethora of posts, its again obvious why Audyssey is a good place for developers to hang out. Lotsa good information and ideas. Here are some responses: 1. IGDA Thomas Weston, developer of Terraformers and co-founder of the Game Accessibility SIG, is taking a DVD full of accessible games and related stuff to GDC 2009. To my knowledge, he, Eleanor, and I are the only developers of blind accessible games who are members of GA SIG. Why couldnt Tom Ward, Jim, Liam, Che, and other developers join the IGDA, contribute their ideas to the GA SIG, and get their stuff on next years DVD? 2. Sighted Gamers find Purely Audio Games Boring If Michael Feirs own sighted fiancee cant get into audio only games, then there is a big clue there. I suspect that for a sighted gamer, not having eye candy is like having food without taste. 3. Getting Mainstream Companies to Make their Games Accessible Dark and I have had at least a positive response from one small European developer. I wrote a technical analysis of their user interface and Dark and I made suggestions as to how it could be made more accessible. They at least did not blow him off. Dark would have to respond as to whether they made the changes or to what extent he thinks it affected their later games. The point being that some smaller developers might be responsive to specific suggestions. Larger developers might be responsive via their own Modding features. In the Serious Games industry, Dooms been modded to teach firefighters how to work in burning buildings. Could someone ask a big company if they could make their modding capability such that it works with sound and can add the sound elements that would make a game accessible. BTW. That Doom exercise was done by Darks own university, Durham. 4. Market Size and Money The one segment of the blind community thats most likely to spend money on accessible games is parents of blind children. Note that children these days can be in their 20s or even 30s. Parents spend money on their kids. Some parents of blind kids are sighted and have decent incomes. Try the Yahoo Groups and similar venues. Weve seen posts where parents have asked where they can get accessible games for their kids. Obviously, this applies to free games too (Jim gets mentioned there.) 5. Publicity Why cant Audyssey developers write articles for AbleGamers, GameForward, GameCritics, The Accessible Friends Network, the IGDA GA SIG blog, and other media that are eager for accessibility material? 6. Final Words Having just surveyed the deaf and the motion-impaired gaming communities, it is clear that the blind-accessible gaming community is far more developed. There are more media that discuss blind issues. There are more organizations and institutions that publicize blind accessible games. All that being said, thanks for a lot of good information and insight. Now I gotta get back to coding. John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Accessible Mainstream Games
Richard, Oops! You are so right. You and Sander have been doing audio games a lot longer than I have. It's probably because I associate you both with academia rather than industry. And, being as myopic as anyone, I think only of industry when I think developer. My bad. Your comment on the medium being the message is enlightening. At our recent Boston Visually Impaired and Blind Users Group meeting, some device was demonstrated that, among other things, spoke stories. It had no screen. I didn't feel any lack of visuals in that context. So maybe if an audio game were played on such a device, then a sighted person could play along with a blind person and not feel such a lack. Dark, Count me among those who know very little about VI specific issues. Velu and you have provided some good information, but I just haven't had the time yet to even begin there. You said you've stumbled upon the few handy resources available in this area Speak, pal. If you know of any resources I haven't mentioned somewhere in our discourses, please let me know. BTW. One disadvantage the motion-impaired community has is that it seems very fragmented among the various specific disabilities: MS, MD, CP, spinal injuries, etc. As opposed to the blind community, which seems much more concentrated. With respect to the influence of the IGDA or individuals on larger companies. Mark Barlet, who's a member and runs AbleGamers, seems to have had some positive affect on one or more of the larger developers in their deafness and motion-impaired access. I do believe that persistence can pay off. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] word games from 7-128
Phil and Terrence, Actually, you're both right. The Tyler puzzle games that are BL rated are: Kim's Game Orchestra Snowflake The games on the PCS list that are not BL rated are: Tippicanoe Runes The WOOPLE word games that are BL rated are: Definitions Scrambled Sayings Synonyms and Antonyms The games on the PCS list that are not BL rated are: Word Jungle The Inspector Cyndi in Newport detective games are all BL rated, just as Phil has them. Sorry for the confusion. I double checked our Web pages, and they have the correct ratings. Looks like I need a clearer way to present those ratings. Thanks to you both for clarifying this. And thanks, Phil, for posting our stuff to your list. John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] what's involved in making a game?
FWIW, Eleanor wrote a good article about how we develop games. It's at: http://www.7128.com/articles/resourcesarticle070418.html Mostly, I just code and eat pizza. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Top 25 Web Sites for Gamers who are Blind
Audyssey Folks, Weve just released our third annual Top 25 Web Sites for Gamers who are Blind. Some new sites, particularly for Macintosh users, some sites went away, boo. Some sites moved up or down. We also added lists for gamers who are motion-impaired and gamers who are deaf. The interesting thing is that there are 25 top sites for blind-accessible games, but only 20 motion-impaired and 10 top deaf sites. BTW. The site I personally hit most often is audyssey.org. Maybe because Im a coder more than a player. Probably because our cast of characters here reminds me of the lunatics I hang out with. In any event, the lists are at www.7128.com John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Top 25 Web Sites for Gamers who are Blind
Hi Richard, Thanks for your help with the Audiogames.net entry. I just made the changes. Here are the details (warning, it's lengthy): 1) Platforms: Windows. actually, we include ALL platforms - hence our listings of more experimental games like Demor but also Nintendo DS games like Sound Voyager. Since you are no dummy, its obvious that we didnt make clear that we cover only Windows and Mac. So I did two things: a) Changed the Methodology section to emphasize this. b) Added Macintosh to your entry. (Sorry I missed that.) 2) AudioGames.net was founded in 2002, not 2003. I got that date from the Wayback Machine at archive.org, where your earliest entry is 2003. I changed the date to what you said. 3) You forgot to mention that - similar to PCS Games - AudioGames.net also links to A BIG LIST of free games that cannot be found anywhere else. This includes three exclusive Playcenter Games: Drive (Sneller), The Curb Game and Sudo-San, as well is NO LESS than 42 ! Indie audio games - all available through The Experimental Audio Games Section (http://www.audiogames.net/playcenter/index_exp.php). We not only link to these games, we also host them! We did indeed say that you offer over 300 FREE downloadable accessible games BTW. Dark bonked me on the head earlier to be sure I said that. I added a reference to your excellent links page and a note about the 42+ Indie audio games. Thanks for that. Didnt mention the hosting because, again, Marketing wants this focused only on PCs and Macs. 4) Categories: Community, Games, Information, Reviews, Help. don't know if this falls under the information category, but we are one of the very few websites out there to list (in an annotated fashion) academic-related material about audio games, such as academic papers, articles, etc. (including inaccessible material made accessible). This may not seem like a big deal, but actually our Resources page (http://www.audiogames.net/page.php?pagefile=articles) has ended up in various important publications - something of which I'm personally quite proud of. Done. And you should be! 5) You forgot to mention that we also host MOD downloads to various games (http://audiogames.net/page.php?pagefile=mods) . Damn! I never considered mods. Had to add that one too. Sorry for the oversight. 6) The audio reviews are not ours (may seem like that how you list it), we only provide a list of links to audio reviews on other websites. Thanks. I clarified that. Its a good list of resources. So I think that covers about everything. If you see anything else egregious, please let me know. And thanks again for the corrections. This thing is going out to a lot of people. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] What language for gaming? Was:Re: dark room and programming for Wiimotes
Ken, With all due respect to my colleagues, Java rocks! It's an easy language to learn and to code in. I believe that Eclipse is blind-accessible. Certainly IBM (which begat Eclipse and still has a major hand in it) is blind-accessibility supportive. I've had no problems with sound using Java. We play WAV files and MIDI files, as well as using the FreeTTS speech synthisizer. We've had no problems with sound on either Windows systems or the Mac. Don't know about Linux, but don't see why the Java sound APIs would be a problem there. I have the highest respect for the technical assessments of Thomas, Che, Ryan, et al. But Java works fine for me. That being said, you might get more technical support from them and other Audyssey folks if you use their languages. Good luck in any case, John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Cross Platform Speech Support
Thomas, The FreeTTS Kevin16 voice may drive you up the wall but it's totally free, totally IP unencumbered, it's easy to code against, it always works, and it's totally cross-platform. That being said, the sound is not my favorite either and I'd really like to get the FreeTTS JSAPI interface working. Then maybe I could use Mike (which we use as a WAV file for our audio splash screen) and the other better voices. John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] question about video game developers
Jason, Developers don't make their games blind-accessible because: 1. They don't think about it. 2. They work for business people who want to maximize (or even achieve) profit. I've been coding user interfaces, including games, professionally for 30 years. It's rare to get any direction at all from management. Usually they just want to tweak button colors or locations at the end of a project. And I know lots of programmers. Absolutely zero of whom, with the exception of this and a couple of other related forums, are even aware of accessibility issues. Also. Making a program accessible adds roughly 20% to its time and cost. Since most projects are late, and most game companies are not even profitable, ... well, you get my drift. That being said, some good folks over at the IGDA Game Accessibilty SIG are trying to address at least problem 1. Mark Barlet at ablegamers.com is also doing some good industry-bugging. And there are some good folks on this forum: Thomas, Jim, Liam, Che, etc. come to mind, who are building good stuff. BTW. Some current research we're doing suggests that there are probably more blind-accessible games than motion-impaired accessible, or deaf accessible, or cognitively-impaired accessible games. I like Dark's approach. If a game could be made blind-accessible, and the developer company is small enough to give a hoot, ask them for changes. Which is not to say you don't have a legitimate beef. It truly sucks to be locked out of some otherwise good stuff. John Bannick Chief Technology Officer 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] mery christmas!!!
Matheus, It's never off topic to offer good cheer to colleagues. As a developer, thanks to you all for your insights, technical help, and challenges in getting good accessible games out. It's been a good year. John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. 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/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] World Building Games
Folks, Your information on blind-accessible world-building games got passed on to the lady who was inquiring. Thanks for the expertise, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] World Building Games
Folks, Your collected wisdom on this just got sent to the parent of a blind kid who'd asked for it. Damn! It's nice to know a pool of experts. Thanks, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] World Building Games
Folks, What blind-accessible world-building games do you like? To what degree is Civilization blind-accessible? Reason I ask is that the mom of a blind kid asked me if our company has one of those. And we don't. So I told her I'd ask the experts and point her at one. Probably there's one that everyone but me knows about. Thanks, John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Macintosh Games
Folks, We aren't really much of a Mac forum, but I really wanted to let people know that 7-128 Software has just released all 29 of its games to Mac OS X. That includes: Six Inspector Cyndi in Newport detective mysteries Eleven Tyler puzzle games Five Woople word games And seven new accessible educational PizzaGames for toddlers and young children. All of the Cyndi's self-voice. Some of the Tylers and all of the Wooples self-voice. And all of the children's PizzaGames self-voice. I did ping Gabe down in Arizona as he's a Mac person. If you know anyone who's looking for accessible Mac games, we got em. John Bannick www.7128.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] PizzaGames
Folks, We've just released seven accessible educational PizzaGames for toddlers and young children ages 2 - 7. For the past couple of years we've been asked for games like this by parents at Perkins School for the Blind. So I've been in this long coding tunnel (Thomas and Jim, I'm sure you can relate) getting them done. The games all self-voice and work with JAWS. They work on Windows 98, XP, and Vista, as well as Mac OS X. They include: * Here Comes the Duck! Which teaches animal names and is maybe the only game playable by blind 2-year olds. * The Letters Game, Spelling Game, and Dictionary Game. Which teach your ABCs. * The Numbers Game, Numbers Plus, and Numbers Minus. Which teach numbers, addition, and subtraction. They cost $7 each, and are cheaper in the BabyBear and MamaBear packs. Check out our Web site, www.7128.com BTW. That brings our total of blind-accessible games to 23. Not quite up to Jim's count, but we're gettin' there. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Games for blind children?
Folks, 7-128 Software has just released a set of seven computer games for blind children. They are called Pizza Games and include: Here Comes the Duck! A word game for 2 year olds. Kind of like jack in the box. And six more games for 3 - 7 year old kids: The Letters Game The Spelling Game The Dictionary Game The Numbers Game The Numbers Plus Game (Addition) The Numbers Minus Game (Subtraction) All of these work with JAWS and self-voice. They're inexpensive and work with Windows, including Win98, XP, and Vista. We've been working on these with Perkins School for the Blind and the Visually Impaired and Blind Users Group here in Boston. They run in our Pizza Box, which is like our existing Game Book that contains our games for people 7 to adult. They come in two sets: Baby Bear, for kids 3 - 5, and Mama Bear, for kids 5 - 7. But you can also get individual games, the same as we do with the Game Book. We also plan to release next week a Home Schooling edition that lets the home teacher create their own word lists. Just wanted to get this in in response to Chris's post. BTW. This also explains why I personally have not been posting much here of late. Been in a very deep hole coding these puppies. And you developers out there know how deep that hole can be. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] The T Man Is Back!
T Man, Welcome back. Your Web site is still great! John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Looking for a TTS Asian Female Voice
Sly, Good news. I just ran across a company named FlameSoft that sells Asian voices along with their text-to-speech product, FlameReader. Check out www.flamereader.com. They sell a male and female Japanese voice and a male and female Korean voice. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Mainstream games
Lindsay, We ship a dozen mainstream detective, puzzle, and word games that are accessible for blind people. Check out www.7128.com. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Looking for a TTS Asian Female Voice
Sly, It's a long shot, but you might contact the folks at NextUp.com: www.nextup.com. They sell ATT Natural Voices in several languages, though nothing specifically Asian female. However, they might know someone who offers what you want. Good luck. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] USA Games News 8/20/2008
Thomas, Your monthly USA Games Newsletter is a wealth of technical information. You've saved me a lot of time, and pain, doing technical research for our own games. I'm particularly pleased that you are moving to Java. As in, lots more good information yours truly can use. Keep up the good work. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] my oppinion to the game marked
All, Actually, I personally loathe all anti-piracy technologies. They tend to be buggy and tedious. I hate having a thousand dollar dongle for JAWS. What if I lose it? Dark is enduring a major pain in the butt looking for old disks and key values because his hard disk fried. And don't even get me started about Microsoft genuine advantage. Arrgh! The only locks we put on our games at 7-128 Software are the demo timeouts. Yeah, it means someone could steal our stuff. But I'd rather that good people have fun and let God sort out the baddies. End of rant. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] my oppinion to the game marked
Claudio, The reason that there are so few audio games being released is because very few people buy them, or even download the free audio games. I think it was Che sometime last year who was lamenting that his game, which has been spoken of well by people who play it, hadn't been downloaded as much as he'd hoped. And his game is free. As Thomas has said, programming games ain't easy. Even if you are doing it for free, it takes a lot of effort. (Though Jim Kitchen seems to have found the sweet spot as far as designing games that can actually get finished.) And if you are trying to keep a company afloat, you go where the money is. Otherwise your electricity gets cut off. On a positive note, here are some things you can do to make more audio games get built: 1. Buy some yourself. 2. Download free audio games and email thanks to their developer. 3. If you like a game, mention it to your friends. 4. Likewise, mention it to your library or schools. Supply will increase or decrease to meet demand. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] old game companies we have not heard much about
Shaun, I don't know if we qualify as major but 7-128 Software is still in the biz. Right now we've got 8 new blind-accessible games for children coded. We plan to release them as soon as I get the dratted custom content editors finished for Perkins School. Then I've been told that I gotta finish a couple more accessible word games. Then... well, you get the idea. John Bannick CTO (techno-galley-slave) 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Introduction
Michael, No. I'm neither blind nor (to be honest) much of a gamer. Like Thomas, Jim, and the others, I'm a computer programmer who likes to build games. I got interested in software accessibility while working at Kurzweil. We were told that the reading machine at that time contained an audio copy of Zork. That gave me the idea. When the opportunity came along for a bunch of us to start our own game company, I made it a requirement that as many games as possible be as accessible as possible, including blindness, vision impairment, color blindness, deafness, motion impairment, and cognitive impairment. Being Head Geek helps. So I'm active in the Boston Visually Impaired and Blind Users Group, the Boston Voice Users Group, the International Game Developers Association - Game Accessibility special interest group, and some other groups. The VIBUG group meets at the Braille Press offices in Boston. Check out their web site at www.vibug.org. Making software accessible is an interesting challenge and has led me to meet some really neat people. You'll find a lot of them here at Audyssey. Mauricio, The URL is: www.7128.com. The Company name is 7-128 Software. (as in 7 people living within highway 128 here in Boston) Happy gaming, John Bannick Chief Technology Officer 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] USA Games News 7/25/2008
Thomas, In one of Lindsey Davis' novels about Marcus Didius Falco, a detective in ancient Rome, Falco is sending a criminal to the salt mines. The criminal asks if it's because he did the crime. Falco responds, No. It's because you are a building contractor. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] DarkKeyboard
Audyssey Folks, A German colleague on another forum said that he was having trouble playing some games because he didn't know what all his keys did. So I built this program, DarkKeyboard (hello, Dark!) that speaks each key as you press it. Amazing what you can do with spare parts of game code. DarkKeyboard intercepts your keystrokes so that they do absolutely nothing except speak to you. DarkKeyboard self-voices. It's installation program works with JAWS. DarkKeyboard works on Windows computers available since 2000, including Vista. Being a small company, I just posted DarkKeyboard to our Web site, www.7128.com. It's totally FREE. No registration, No ads. No spyware. If you think it might be useful, or know someone who might find it useful, please go get a copy. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Future Of Creating Accessible Games
Thomas, Your article is great! I'm printing it out right now so it doesn't get lost somewhere in electronic land. Your summaries of the various APIs are especially useful to a developer. Your speech results are especially timely as I'm currently looking into how to make our own speech better. For a coding language, I'm going to stay with Java for our stuff because: 1. It's much easier that C++. I shifted from C++ to Java precisely because the time it takes to code and maintain apps is the single most important factor in actually getting something out. 2. Our small company specializes in simpler games which don't use the more sophisticated input devices such as joysticks, wheels, force feedback, etc. 3. We already have a large body of Java code that lets us build stuff really fast and reliably. However, you do make a compelling argument for C++. And I certainly agree that your results suggest it is the right choice for a lot of independent game developers and game development companies. Thanks for sharing the results of what must have been a whole lot of hard work. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Audyssey Issue #53
Ron, Just returned from a month of travel and wanted to congratulate you on yet another great issue. (I actually read it online from our hotel in Paris.) All of the articles and announcements were informative and entertaining, but you should get some special feedback on five of them. The assistivegaming.com announcement has generated interest here at 7-128 Software in porting our games to the Mac. Technically it wouldn't be hard, because they're written in Java and I've run a lot of the underlying code on the Mac for a medical product we once shipped. Don't know where this is going, but it did have impact. Thomas' excellent articles on intellectual property and coding gave us information we can use immediately. IP is always a concern. Especially for small companies. And, drat him, he's actually teaching me things about Java. And I've been coding Java professionally for 10 years. Your interview with Jim Kitchen was entertaining. It's interesting to get inside the head of another developer. (Well, in Jim's case, maybe scary smile.) And Dark always has something interesting to say to developers. We're working on a couple of new game series where his insights into ambient sound should prove useful. Anyway, thanks for all the hard work from you and your troops. You do make a difference. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Word Scrambling Games
Dark - one of our Woople games that has been designed and should be coming out sometime this year is called Crossed Quotes. It is similar to what you are talking about. The content has been developed, but it has not, as yet been coded. I expect that to be the next Woople game out. It will be an accessible game. Eleanor Robinson for John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] word scramble games
7-128 Software includes a word scramble game in their Game Book. It is called Crambles. In addition, one of the Woople series of word games is called Scrambled Sayings in which you unscramble words to make a saying. These are both accessible PC games and can be found at www.7128.com. Eleanor Robinson for John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 gamebook coupons
I'm sorry but our most recent coupon has expired. It was the St. Patrick's Day Special and expired at the end of March. They are usually mentioned in news articles or announcements. I can check with Marketing and see when they plan another one but it probably won't be until next month. Eleanor Robinson for John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 gamebook coupons
Yohandy85 asked if there were a list of 7-128 games. They are all listed on the web site at www.7-128.com. Not all of our games are accessible, but each game has an accessibility rating on the game description that lists if it is accessible to blind, visually impaired, deaf, color blind, motion impaired, or non-impaired gamers. Eleanor Robinson 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] voice games
Thomas - I don't know whether this will work to improve voice control for games, but there is a new product out that speeds up voice recognition considerably. It is Utter Command by Redstart Systems. I've seen a demo and you can do a number of actions in a very short time using their speech interface software. Check it out at www.redstartsystems.com. Even if it won't work for gamers, it is something that can help people to function on computers better if they have problems using a keyboard. Eleanor Robinson for John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] mainstream accessible games
Aiden, 7-128 Software produces computer games that are mainstream games. They are in the category of casual games but are not produced specifically for the blind or visually impaired gamer. We do not produce combat or conquer the world type games. We do produce story, puzzle and word games that are rated as to their accessibility accommodations. Many of our games are rated BL or VI. We also have accommodations for gamers who are motion impaired, deaf or who want brain training. All our games have visual components and are intended to be played by those who need no accommodations as well as those who do. We don't produce games that are console games. I don't know if any of the console game producers have considered including accessibility accommodations. While these are probably not the type of games you refer to as mainstream games, we consider them as mainstream as other casual games and we are committed to making them accessible to as many people as possible. Check us out at: www.7128.com Eleanor Robinson for John Bannick 7-128 Software LLC --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] claudiogames logo
Claudio, A real simple solution to your audio logo need is to use an existing sound file as your company's signature sound. We use a simple gong sound for our 7-128 Software programs. It's just an unedited WAV file. There are free WAV files out on the Web, or you could buy a CD with a whole bunch of them to choose from. That way, no editing, no hassles. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] chillingham and If type games
Lisa, The 7-128 Software games are at: www.7128.com But if you do end up purchasing, do not overlook the St. Paddy's Day special offer. The coupon code is DUBLIN. John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Number Memory Game
Ari, Your ideas are really good. Right now our games max out at 10 levels. The Easy button is on by default. When the Easy button is off, there are more objects to select. Therefore, a player could play the 10 levels with Easy on, then play them with Easy off. Adding levels is no problem. However, finding the space on the screen for more objects could be a problem, depending upon the game. We're a mainstream game company that sells to a bunch of sighted markets. I suspect that Marketing would not like me to do a sound-only game. (They might even cut off my cookie supply!) That being said, let me revisit Kim's Game and some others (I'm working on Snowflake, a number memory game, right now.) I'm pretty good with user interfaces and should be able to find a solution for this. Also, your sound effects idea is music to my ears. I really like doing sound effects. Now I've got real User Input saying that more sounds would be good. I'll get back to you here on Audyssey when I've got a solution. Thanks for your help. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] JAVA SWT - Was USA Games News 3/3/2008
Thomas, You just gave me the first good reason to learn SWT. I've been doing Java Swing since it was in Beta. But I hate having to deal with the Java Access Bridge. And being able to get our stuff to work with WindowEyes and NVDA, not just JAWS and HAL, would be great. I use Eclipse every day and have done a little SWT, which is a clone of Swing anyway. Not to say that we'll convert everything today. But your information is extremely interesting and I gotta think seriously about this. Thanks for being a great resource, John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Irish Spies
Audyssey Folks, Marketing got this idea for a St. Paddys Day special. 20% off a Game Book that contains Inspector Cyndi in Newport When Irish Spies are Smiling. Its pretty cool. Someone has stolen Mr. Hollands experimental submarine from the Newport Torpedo Station. Youre the Detective. Inspector Cyndi is there to offer suggestions. You travel around the Newport of the 1890s questioning folks like Phineus the Fiendish Fenian in order to solve the crime. Thanks to Jeremy and Thomas, weve improved the self-voicing and background sound handling. BTW. The games based on an actual incident. The Fenians did steal Hollands sub, in New Jersey. But they didnt know how to drive it, and ran it aground. The Game Book contains 4 puzzle and word games as well. The coupon code is: DUBLIN. Check it out at www.7128.com. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] ALERT Resource
Folks, Our company has just released a free on-line service for people searching for free or low-cost accessible computer games suitable for learning or rehabilitative environments. The accessibility accommodations include blindness, low vision, color blindness, deafness, motion impairment, and cognitive impairment. Our Accessible Learning through Entertainment and Recreation Tools (ALERT) project provides the following: Where to get those accessible games What to look for in selecting those games How to apply those games to learning objectives Who to go to for help The ALERT project is being publicized to school psychologists, special education teachers, geriatric care managers, the early stage Alzheimer's community, and the brain training market. I mention this here because the ALERT Where to Get Games list includes Audyssey game developers from our Top 25 Web Sites for Gamers who are Blind list. If you start getting pinged from strange places, blame us smile Also, if anyone here does know an educator or caregiver who might want to use accessible computer games for their work, it's a good resource, totally free, and doesn't ask for an email address or require registration. It's at www.7128.com John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Accessible Brain Training Games
Audyssey Folks, Does anyone know of any Brain Training games that are accessible to gamers who are blind? John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Blind Accessible Game releases, 2007
Ron, Just got a chance to look at your list of games released in 2007. Here is the list of games I sent to Thomas when this discussion began. Note that the Game Book contains up to 15 blind accessible games. Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Death Nell Inspector Cyndi in Newport - The Forgetful Sailor Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Unfinished Symphony Inspector Cyndi in Newport - When Irish Spies are Smiling Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Fall from Grace Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Lights Out Kim's Game Orchestra Definitions Synonyms and Antonyms Crambles Combo Word Builder Longest Word Completion These all run from within the 7-128 Software Game Book, but they are separate games. All are production, non-Beta, releases. Somewhere mid-year we released demo versions of the games and the Game Book. But those were in addition to our already shipped production releases. John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Question about 7-128 Game Book.
Thomas, Mbrola was what I wanted to use. For one thing, it would allow me to better build some non-English voices. However, at the time, and possibly now, the developers forbade its use in commercial products. The Europeans are funny that way sometimes. FreeTTS has no such restrictions. BTW. I'm setting the words per minute to start at 150 and increment by 50 up to 450. Does that work for you? John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Question about 7-128 Game Book.
Thomas, The control to which you refer is our Game Throttle. It controls the speed of games that are time dependent. It does not control the speed of FreeTTS. If that isn't evident, then I gotta improve the labelling or something. Right now we have no throttle on FreeTTS. That being said, I notice that there is a setRate() method on the Voice class. Hmmm... Might that be a clue, he says thoughtfully. Within the next few days I'll do some noodling around in that code and see if I can add a speech throttle. We already play with the pitch in order to give different sounds by gender and age (and pompousness, for the rich folks.) I'm familiar with speed hearing. At our Boston Visually Impaired and Blind User's Group (VIBUG) meetings I often feel like a bit of a dummy because so much goes by faster than I can hear. Your helpful critique is always appreciated. I'll try to fix this and let you know how it works out. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 computer games for every one.
Jeremy, I wrote the sound part of the 7-128 Software games. It sounds like you have the Game Voice (our name for FreeTTS) on at the same time as JAWS. Just press the Equals Key and wait for a moment. That turns the Game Voice off and on. The Game Voice itself should say Game Voice is off when you do this. If you want the Game Voice back on, just press the Equals Key again and wait for a moment. The Game Voice should then say Game Voice is on. When you exit the Game Book, it remembers whether you have the Game Voice on or off, so you only have to do this once. Once you have the speech the way you want it, you might press the F2 key to get tips especially organized for gamers who are blind. Try this anywhere in the Game Book and you should get information specific to where you are. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] reused code - Re: Accessible Game releases, 2007
Thomas, What means warm started re FreeTTS? I just invoke it when it's needed. Therefore, there is a delay the first time it is called. Have you some magic to share? John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 computer games for every one.
Jeremy, We have a solution. I'm assuming that you are trying to play one of the Inspector Cyndi in Newport mysteries because those are the only games with ambient sounds. You can turn off the background music, and that may help some. But the version of the Game Book you have now won't let you turn off the ambient sounds. I talked with the rest of the crew here and we decided to make the ambient sounds also turn off when you turn off the music. In fact, I've just now done the coding and tested it. Our QA folks need to test this before we can release it. Then we'll send you a copy. So please email your postal address to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] I will have our Production folks mail you a replacement CD that contains a Game Book that lets you turn off the ambient sounds along with the background music. Just uninstall what you've got and install the new Game Book. No cost to you. We just want people to enjoy our stuff. Thanks for letting us know about this problem. It will help others enjoy the games. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] reused code - Re: Accessible Game releases, 2007
Charles, It's not really cheating. In fact, reusable code is the Holy Grail of commercial programming. When I finished the first version of our stuff, my late wife asked me, How much of it is reusable? I responded, None of it. She opined, Then you've failed. So I rewrote it. And am grateful for the prod, because our company lives on top of that reusable architecture. Thomas is right. Rewriting all of his C# and .NET common code will be a lot of work. However, generally a rewrite results in improved code because you get a chance to fix things that have bugged you forever. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Accessible Game releases, 2007
Dark, No probs. I'm just no different than any of the other kids here, jumping up in my seat and waving hey teacher. Actually, I'm amazed we got so many actually released. Of course, we cheated by using the same code for multiple games and just changing the data. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Accessible Game releases, 2007
Thomas et al, First, congratulations Che! Regardless of where Blindbargains got its numbers (we never heard of the voting and we troll the Web constantly) all the positive buzz about your game is testimony in itself as to a great job done. Second, Thomas. Actually 7-218 Software released 15 accessible games in 2007: Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Death Nell Inspector Cyndi in Newport - The Forgetful Sailor Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Unfinished Symphony Inspector Cyndi in Newport - When Irish Spies are Smiling Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Fall from Grace Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Lights Out Kim's Game Orchestra Definitions Synonyms and Antonyms Crambles Combo Word Builder Longest Word Completion These all run from within the 7-128 Software Game Book; but they are separate games. All are production, non-Beta, releases. Somewhere mid-year we released demo versions of the games and the Game Book. But those were in addition to our already shipped production releases. John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 2007 Accessible game of the year
This is a great idea. And Audyssey is the perfect place for it. Go for it!!! John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] any virtual baby sites out there?
A funny story. When the SIMs first came out, I got a copy and made a baby. (Don't ask. It was very tame) But then the baby started crying. Seems it needed something, like food maybe. Well, my wife and I never had kids. So I know absolutely nothing about babies. Then a thunder storm started outside our (real) house. So I had to save and shut down quick. But the dratted SIMs game didn't make it clear how to save and get out. And that dratted baby kept crying. Finally, I just killed the program (and presumably the baby) So much for child rearing. John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Raceway with python or java
Thomas, The biggest problem with J2ME is that every mobile device requires a different U I layout. If you think that coding HTML or Javascript for different browsers is a nightmare, try J2ME. Also, the mobile device / telecommunications companies take a big cut of what they permit you to download. Too much work for too few bucks. That's why we stayed away from it. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Where can I buy the Code Factory games?
You may already know this, but Code Factory ceased selling any games sometime between Oct 2007 and the first of this year. Their web site offers blind accessible mobile phones. You might contact them directly and ask if you can buy their games. I don't know of anywhere else you might find their games. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Raceway for Mac or Linux
Thomas, Here are some technical accessibilty notes on porting your game. 1. Java talks to screen readers via the Java Access Bridge. The J A B does not work with all screen readers, specifically Window-Eyes. I've talked with Clarence at G W, and this isn't likely to change soon. The J A B may work with Dolphin's screen reader. Dark was going to do an experiment awhile ago to test that. The J A B does not work with the speech part of ZoomText. 2. BTW. There are ways to talk to TextAloud and ReadPlease that do not use the J A B. But they are awkward. 3. There are some undocumented tricks to getting the J A B to work with Java. Nothing grotesque, just practical stuff. If you do decide to go that way, I can show them to you since I've been doing it for our Game Book for years. 4. The FreeTTS speech engine does allow you to change pitch. This is what I do in our Inspector Cyndi in Newport mystery games in order to have women and men, young and old, sound different. Funny thing is that when Steve and Marsha at the Visually Impaired and Blind Users Group here in Boston were playing the Inspector Cyndi in Newport games recently, they turned off JAWS and used the FreeTTS because they said they preferred it sound because A. it was more reliable and B. it had different pitches. 5. There is a S A P I interface to the FreeTTS engine. I explored it briefly, but ran out of time. If that could be made to work, then you'd likely have access to any S A P I compliant voice on whatever target system. If you do go that way, I'd love to work with you on it because I'd like that for our games. Regardless, I'll be real interested to see what an experienced coder can do with this. I code on all three operating systems and would love to port our stuff. (If Marketing would just give me the time.) John Bannick Chief Technology Officer 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Catching up on Gaming
Hi Cara, We've been busy at 7-128 Software, too. We released our Top 25 Web Sites for Gamers who are Blind this October. Got a lot of help from folks here on that. The surprising thing is how much has changed just in 3 months. The Code Factory in Spain stopped shipping accessible games. Mark Barlet's AbleGamers.com site expanded into a real good source of current gaming information. Richard left the Game Accessibility Forum and that's kind of drifting now. Dark started moderating AudioGames.com. And a bunch of folks here have released, are releasing, or are pushing to release new games. (We got one new one out, Synonyms and Antonyms.) Oh, and the latest issue of Audyssey is dynamite! It's not dull. John Bannick 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Moderator Appreciation
Che is absolutely right. My crew and I are out on a bunch of forums every day. That this forum is a clear Manifestation of Excellence is due to a lot of diplomacy, hard work, and good judgement on the part of the folks who run it. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Spy Games
Ari, If you get the Perceptions edition of the Game Book, then all of the games are playable by gamers who are blind. That includes: 1. The Inspector Cyndi in Newport - Death Nell mystery game. 2. The Kim's Game memory puzzle 3. The Definitions Game word game 4. The Crambles word game 5. The Completion word game Our Standard edition of the Game Book includes an arcade game named Sandusky instead of The Completion game. The arcade game is not playable by gamers who are blind. If you want any additional games, each game has a 7-128 Software Accessibility Rating next to where you click the button to either buy the game or get a free demo. All of the Inspector Cyndi in Newport games are rated B L, playable by gamers who are blind. Two Tyler games: Kim's Game and Orchestra are rated B L. Three Woops games: Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms, and Scrambled Sayings are rated BL. And all of our free WOOPS games are rated B L. Happy Holidays, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] the magazine
Ron, Last night I read through your latest Audyssey for the third time. What a grand job! I didn't know that Matthew is a neighbor down in Connecticut. Your compilation of game tips and explanations has got to be a useful place for gamers to look for help. And your extensive collection of developer announcements is, to my knowledge, unique in our industry. I know that Game Developer's Magazine doesn't have one. When Marketing comes bugging me for help on their 2008 Top 25 list, or other research, I'm gonna point them at your magazine and tell them to come back after they've done some homework. Congratulations, John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Spy Games
Ari, They aren't spy games, but if you like mysteries, you might try our Inspector Cyndi in Newport games. No, they aren't cutsey-poo games for little girls. The Cyndi in the game title is a Sherlock Holmes type character that gives you hints as you solve the crimes. (Actually, she's named after my girl friend, who also is the actress in the videos.) They're kind of like the game Clue, lots of clues and interesting characters. Happy Holidays, John Head Geek 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 Software Problem
Steve, Sorry for the several day delay. We've tried everything anyone here can think of in order to replicate your download problem. No luck. The only problem we encountered was on a little tiny 256 meg PC running XP, where the download was slow. (I'm surprised that that computer could run XP at all!) And our ISP checked the forensics on her servers to see if the problem you've encountered is at her end. Again, no luck. I do recall having the same problem some time in the past couple of years when I was downloading a large file from some other developer's site and having it hang at the 99% downloaded mark. But I can't remember how I resolved it. Possibly by turning off my antivirus, but that is not a good thing to do, ever, under any circumstances. If you have the patience, and still have any interest, please try to download one of the demo games, rather than the Game Book demo. The new Synonyms and Antonyms game is only 500 kilobytes of data and the Kim's Game puzzle game is only a meg and a half. If the problem is related to file size (the Game Book is 50 meg because it includes the Java engine) then maybe we can figure a way around this. Sorry for the headaches, John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 Software Problem
Hi Steve, Sounds like you're running pretty much what I'm running here. Today I'm going to get download tests from other machines to try to figure this out. Will post as soon as I find out something useful. Sorry about the download problems. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 Software Releases New Game
Folks, We've just released Synonyms and Antonyms a new game that is accessible to blind and visually impaired players. It speaks either Synonym or Antonym and a word, and then speaks a list of words. You pick the synonym or antonym from a menu. It's surprisingly challenging, given that you never know whether you're going to be asked for a synonym or antonym and that you're working against the clock. (At least, I find it a challenge, hee, hee.) It has 10 levels and an Easy button. It is self-voicing and works with JAWS. It works with the magnification part of ZoomText. It includes BigType and works with Windows High Contrast settings. It runs in our 7-128 Software Game Book and costs $5. Synonyms and Antonyms was developed by Eleanor Robinson, a former college professor and our very own puzzlemeister. We're at nine accessible games so far, well 14 if you count the freebies, but Jim sets a mighty pace to follow. Check out the free demo at http://www.7128.com/www.7128.com. John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 Software Releases Free DarkTimer
Audyssey Folks, Specifically because Claudio asked for it, we've just mad DarkTimer available at our Web site. This is a simple self-voicing timer you can use on your computer. You can set the verbosity. You already know who helped us develop this one. It's available for FREE download at http://www.7128.com/www.7128.com. (Sometimes I just roll over Marketing here.) John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] DarkTimer Problem
Shaun, The startup error probably is telling you that you need Java for DarkTimer to work. Just download and install the free demo Game Book. The Game Book includes the correct Java. The Java that comes with the Game Book does not interfere with any other Java you might have. DarkTimer keeps working even after the free demo time is up. I'll save you the gory technical details why this was necessary. BTW. I just added a clearer notice to our DarkTimer web page so that people know they need the Game Book to run DarkTimer. John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128 Software Problem
Steve, I just downloaded the Game Book 4 times with no problems. Suspect that you've run into one of the following: 1. Your network connection drops and recovers. 2. Some kind of handshaking isn't shaking hands at the end of the download. 3. You're out of disk space. The Game Book is a 50 Mb. file. It has taken about 8 minutes to download today over my not-particularly-fast ComCast cable modem to my not-particularly-fast Windows XP computer. I just talked with our I S P, who sees no signs of problems at her end. We've only today begun to announce the latest release (Audyssey was the first place) so I don't think the world is exactly pounding at our doors for product. Have you checked your disk to see if the file really did get there and it's just a false message from your download software? Let me know if the problem persists. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] 7-128
Steve, The games are at www.7128.com. Free demos. No free beer though, sigh! John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Brain Training Games
Ari, We have four brain training games that are playable by gamers who are blind. Kim's Game is a memory game. You hear a set of objects, then you either select them using the arrow keys, or just key in their names. Orchestra is a similar memory game, except it uses musical instruments and you have to get them in the original order. They play their notes when you select them. Both games have 10 levels. Both games have an easy button. Definitions is a word game that says a word and you select its meaning from a menu. Synonyms and Antonyms is another word game. It speaks either Synonym or Antonym and a word, and then speaks a list of words. You pick the synonym or antonym from a menu. It's surprisingly challenging, given that you never know whether you're going to be asked for a synonym or antonym and that you're working against the clock. It has 10 levels and an Easy button. We plan to release Synonyms and Antonyms this week end. (You're the first to know this.) All of these games work with JAWS. All self-voice. All play in our Game Book, so they all play alike. They're 5 dollars each. All have free downloadable demos. The lady who designed all of these games is a former college professor and long-time professional in elder health care. She's been working with our local Alzheimers care givers to develop brain training games. Check out www.7128.com John Bannick --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Happy Thanks Giving
All, One of my personal Things-for-which-to-give-thanks this year is having met some neat folks here at Audyssey. There's a lot of not so nice stuff out there. The opposite is appreciated. Happy Thanks Giving, John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] DarkTimer - was code factory
Claudio, Gosh! I'm flattered that you'd be interested. I'll send you a copy of DarkTimer this week. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] code factory
Wow! That changed fast. Just last month we checked out The Code Factory and they were still advertising games. In fact, Marketing put them number 6 on their Top 25 Web Sites for Gamers who are Blind list. I just checked and they have gone completely to selling just mobile phone stuff. Same president, though. Sad. I had so wanted to go to Barcelona for a business meeting with them. John at 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Vipgamezone demos
Seven days seems to be a good demo period. At least we're getting a decent response now that we've set it at that number. (Marketing's original 1-day was dumb!) For the puzzle and word games, we keep full functionality because they can be played over and over again. For the story games, like the Inspector Cyndi in Newport mysteries, we have to limit the map to just the Scene of the Crime. This demos the full functionality, but keeps the game sellable. It's an interesting problem. John at 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] code factory
Thomas, Your information was good. Our collective timing was off. Interesting about Jim's talking alarm clock. Dark needed a talking timer recently for his new digs so I coded him Dark Timer from spare game parts. Seems just when I think I'm being clever, someone has been clever sooner. Sigh! I'd thought maybe I could get 7-128 Software sometime to offer a set of useful and accessible software gadgets. On the other hand, I've actually been able to finish three full scenes for our Sinister Cities - Berlin 1929 game. And that's a lot of fun. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] Developer input was Re: James North?
Folks, IMHO the blind community isn't notably different from any other collective re entitlement attitudes, or, for that matter, proportion of lazy thinkers, or people who behave unwisely. People are just people: good and less good. As for how this affects our sales: Most computer games end up in the bargain bin and lose money. Most computer companies lose money. Even EA posts losses some quarters. Games are not as essential to potential customers as groceries. We do it because it's fun, same as actors. If you want to make money doing software, build financial systems. Been there, done that, ugh! Che, et al, If you want more sales, suggest you let additional markets know of your games. Try the Family Friendly market. Except for some of Jim's racier stuff. Try the Seniors market. Old folks got tired eyes. Try the Female Gamers market. You might be surprised. Maybe even the Educational market, like VIP games does. The Casual Games market is really competitive, but the latest issue of Inside Gamesutra has an excellent review of that market http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15955. There's opportunities in other disabilities markets too. Richard's Game Accessibility Project has some great pointers. Then there are 7 large English speaking countries besides ours. Look where Azabat and Bavisoft are on the Web. From what I've seen these past few months, this is a knowledgeable bunch of people who are passionate about what they do. Let's have some fun. John Bannick CTO 7-128 Software --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
[Audyssey] The Next Issue of Audyssey
Thomas, You mentioned ...true 3D environments are almost impossible to relate to in an audio only format. If you haven't seen it yet, check out the article Playing by Ear: Creating Blind-Accessible Games, GamaSutra, May 20, 2002, by Gavin Andresen. It's at www.gamasutra.com/resource_guide/20020520/andersen_pfv.htm. He's got some specific techniques that could be coded. Not that true 3D is easy at all, even with some good techniques. John --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org 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]
