Re: [Audyssey] I'm appauled!
Hmm, how long has it been since I sent you that free stuff for review? Must be a couple of years or more, I think. I'm just glad you didn't get around to writing your review sooner... I'm quite surprised by what I read here. I always thought you were more logical and level headed but I really struggle to understand where this apparent hostility is aimed. You seem resent the fact that the RNIB sell my products, but in a later post you openly criticise them and call them pathetic. Sounds like a bad case of sour grapes. Yes, the RNIB sell my games, but I can't see why you have an issue with this. Are you trying to say that because they sell my games they wouldn't want to sell anybody else's? Can you explain why? Surely the fact that they have opened their doors to an independent developer means that they would be more willing to consider selling other people's games as well. Personally, I would welcome it if some of the other developers here approached the RNIB and got them to sell their games. Regarding the Kountdown game - for the benefit of those who don't know it, the player chooses up to 9 letters then has 30 seconds to try to make the longest possible word - I fail to see the point of asking the user to type in the word they found. Who are they trying to prove it to? I watch the TV show sometimes and I shout out the word I found. I don't write it down or type it into a computer to prove I found it. If you find a 7 letter word you don't need to type it into the computer because all the computer will say is yes, you found a 7 letter word. It's only going to tell you what you already know. I have plenty of testimonials from people - old and young - who have enjoyed playing my games over the years. I appreciate that some people on this list may find some them simplistic - they are, after all, designed for computer novices (ie people who don't know how to use a screen reader, can't touch-type, etc). Steve -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org]On Behalf Of dark Sent: 25 November 2011 10:43 To: Gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] I'm appauled! I must admit I've been very slow about writing entries for the Azabat games for audiogames.net, basically because most of the games are pretty much available in better versions elsewhere and azabat are ridiculously overpriced, in fact as I've said before I think the only reason they've got where they are is because they present audio games for pathetic old blind people! Nevertheless, unfortunately the job of maintaining the database means playing and writing about bad games as well as good ones, and sinse Azabat did send me both their demo cd and some free copies of their games so that I could write about them, I do feel I need to give them a reasonable run for their money, however today I really! had trouble when writing up the entry for their second volume, word games. We all know that everyone from jim kitchin to even the online game alien adoption agency has versions of Hangman, and other than ntoicing that the azabat version of the game actually has fewer customizations (and deffinately fewer fun sfx), than jims, I'll move on. then there is Targit, exactly the same game as bg word targit, but with no fun sfx or music, and fewer customization options. Anagrams, the count down letters and numbers game where you form words from random letters or a targit number from random numbers, and a game called link words resembling Dan Z's chainlink game. What appauled me here, is that none! of these games has even a scoring system! you don't type in solutions, you just get presented with an anagram, a number targit and that's it. The technology is planely there to create one, sinse Hangman and word targit have a score system, and the computer even has the ability to work out solutions to all the problems meaning that it could! determine whether your right or wrong, but for some completely insane reason you don't type in your answers, you just are supposed to solve them in your head! In the name of all that's reasonable, why is a score! system! so hard to manage! As I said, I do want to try and make the best of azabat because they did send me some free stuff, but when the quality of their games is so insanely low my job is extremely difficult! Yes, making games that are not complex for computer novices is a worth while aime, but how novice are we talking here? heck, my mum is about as computer novice as you get (she regularly phones me to ask things like how to copy files or open mail attachments), yet I've got her Ian Humphries psudoku games and she's quite able to play them, indeed was able to install them pretty easily too thanks to the microsoft install wizard. What planet are Azabat on? Even their one really unique game backgamman now has a far superior version thanks to Manu of Pontes games, with online play, sfx, music ambience and lots of other great customization features
Re: [Audyssey] I'm appauled!
Hey Dark, Your approach to getting the RNIB to sell audio games is all wrong. Complaining about the lack of options isn't going to work. The RNIB aren't going to start phoning up developers with offers to sell their programmes. It's up to the individual developer to create a product that the RNIB can sell (ie something tangible, like a CD-Rom) and to approach them with it, wait for them to evaluate it, and give them the USP - detailing pricing structure, returns policy, etc. That's what I did. Seriously, if there's a developer out there who wants help and advice in getting their stuff into the RNIB I'm happy to be contacted off list. As for my products, I've received enough testimonials from people of all ages to know that I'm doing something worthwhile. Steve -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org]On Behalf Of dark Sent: 25 November 2011 15:46 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] I'm appauled! Hello steve. i freely admit my initial post may have been somewhat over frustrated, however please allow me to explain. I actually have! approached the rnib in connection with not just selling other people's games, but promoting audio computer games in general. Their response well most blind people wouldn't like them This is as I said because in my experience the rnib shows litle interest in visually impared people who do not conform to their idea of what visually impared people should be. Rather than tayloring their service to what is required or available, they have one single idea they stick to and ignore anything that does not conform with it. i'm afraid this opinion is born out by considderable experience which I would be glad to detail, not the least of which is bringing these concerns before the rnib themselves and being roundly ignored time after time. As to your games specifically, perhaps if I can explain my frustration in a more rational manner. While I accept that you write games expressly for computer novices, so they run from the cd, have logical controls, grids that do not wrap etc, my frustration is caused by the fact that the games themselves! appear to be simplified, indeed one might almost say dumbed down, and thus perpetuating sterriotypes concerning blind and visually impared people. Even if we limit ourselves only to the field of traditional or puzle based games, your games often lack options or choices which are taken as standard not only in other versions of similar games produced by other developers, but also in games generally. For instance a score system and records of previous games, in certain games the ability to customize the difficulty etc. While I freely accept that having a player presented with many options to customize games can indeed be confusing, this to me does not automatically mean such options should be missed. For example, In Ian Humphries bg braniac (a concentration style game similar to your own memory), there is the option to have lots of different board sizes, have the player gain points for correct matches, decide whether one or two pairs are on the board at the same time etc, however it is also possible to simply start the program and bang the enter key to play with the default settings, or to use only one of the settings keys sinse each is tied to a different function key. The fact that more options exist does not take away from the simplicity of the game, but adds extra customization to it for those who wish such a thing. As I said, I truly thank you for the demo cd and free games, and I'll certainly do my best to write none biased descriptions as is my professional duties to audiogames.net. however, on a personal level I must confess I find your approach of missing out possible complexity and customization, to be rather lacking in it's scope, especially considdering that unlike some of the other traditional games available, yours are comparatively expensive to buy (this isn't to say such things should be free, only that given the price that your charging I feel you could possibly add more to the games). While I freely accept that gamers of different skill levels and intentions exist, it does seem unfortunately as far as the Azabat games are concerned, they operate only to the lowest common denominator, rather than, as would be the case with something like the Spoonbill games or several of Jim Kitchins, working on a basis of appealing to as wide a cross section as possible. While I am sorry if my previous message was over hasty, and I do accept that I may have been more frustrated than considder, I do however think there is a legitimate point here, and indeed I'm extremely pleased that you are on this list and are able to discuss it openly. 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
Re: [Audyssey] Sudoku for newbies, possibly dummies
Just noticed this thread and, being a big fan of Sudoku, had to put my two cents worth in. Azabat Software is a bit different than the other games that are usually mentioned here in that it is aimed primarily at blind and partially sighted people who have little or no computer experience. They come on a CD and run straight from it - the voices are built in so you don't need a screen reader. Hence, they are not available for download. Azabat Sudoku costs ?12 on its own or you can buy it on Volume 3 for ?30, which also contains Battleships, Memory (concentration) and UXB (minesweeper). I know that there are other accessible versions out there free of charge, so ?30 (or even ?12) may seem expensive. I got a bit bored with plain Sudoku so now I have a volume of 5 games based on Sudoku. The games are called Fubuki, Futoshiki, Greater Than, Jigsaw Sudoku and Killer Sudoku. They all follow the basic rules of Sudoku but can be played on much smaller grids so there's less memorising involved. For example, The Guardian uses 5 x 5 Futoshiki puzzles and Fubuki is only a 3 x 3 grid. That particular product is Volume 6 and costs ?30 - more details and samples are on the website. Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: st...@azabat.co.uk Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org]on Behalf Of dark Sent: 05 January 2010 06:57 To: Charles Rivard; Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Sudoku for newbies, possibly dummies Funnily enough, i was requesting spoonbill softwares' sudoku for my mum, sinse she's a fan of the pen and paper ones but finds them visually a strain and Ian humphrys' version has high visibility graphics as well as the voice. If anyone knows of any other sudoku games with graphics and voice, for instance I don't know if Draconis' soundoku has graphics, my mum would want to know I think. I know there is asabat, but that is a trifle expensive imho. I'm afraid this is a game area I haven't investigated too much myself, sinse I personally find the spacial logic needed for sudoku (or indeed most tyle puzle games), near impossible! Beware the Grue! dark. - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard woofer...@sbcglobal.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 7:31 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Sudoku for newbies, possibly dummies I like the game produced by www.draconisentertainment.com It is called soundoku. Well worth the money after the trial period ends. --- In God we trust! - Original Message - From: Scott Chesworth scottcheswo...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Monday, January 04, 2010 10:56 AM Subject: [Audyssey] Sudoku for newbies, possibly dummies Hi all, I have a procrastination gap to fill while I'm on the road this week. Fancied trying my hand at Sudoku. Can anyone recommend a good accessible game to get me started? SudoSan seemed promising, but upon visiting the audiogames.net/sudosan URL and launching the game, I get the intro played but can't seem to get any of the shortcuts listed to work. It's as if the game doesn't see that I'm pressing n for a new puzzle or d for difficulty etc, it just sits there and plays japanese music at me. Pretty cool authentic music I should add, so it's not all bad. Thanks in advance... Scott --- 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. --- 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. --- 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. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If
[Audyssey] Azabat Crosswords
Hello, I will shortly be releasing Azabat Crosswords, which will, of course, be a collection of accessible crossword puzzles. I have produced an evaluation version, whcih contains 5 puzzles, and wonder if anyone out there would like to try it out and send me some feedback. It's supplied on a CD so I can only post it within the UK If you are interested in participating please contact me off-list - st...@azabat.co.uk Thanks Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: st...@azabat.co.uk Web: www.azabat.co.uk --- 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.
Re: [Audyssey] accessible scrabble game?
The volume contains 3 other games as well, so you also get Backgammon, Dominoes and Draughts. If you just want Scrazabat (I can't call it Scrabble for legal reasons) on its own you the price is $29 (I'm assuming you're in the US). The list of individual games is at:- http://www.azabat.co.uk/indiv.htm Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: st...@azabat.co.uk Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org]on Behalf Of Jen Sent: 09 July 2009 13:53 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] accessible scrabble game? thank you. but ouch, that's an expensive price tag. grin I think that when I'm able to afford that, I'll definitely it out. Thanks again Jen - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:15 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] accessible scrabble game? Hi Jen, Steve Crawford's Azabat Software. 4. strategy games: Backgammon, Dominoes, Draughts (Checkers) and Scrazabat, an accessible clone of Scrabble. $72.00 Azabat Games Collection: Volume 4, http://www.azabat.co.uk/ - Original Message - From: Jen mysticrain1...@gmail.com To: gamers audyssey list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 10:04 PM Subject: [Audyssey] accessible scrabble game? Hi, is there, or is anyone developing an accessible scrabble game? Thanks, Jen --- 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. -- -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.13.8/2224 - Release Date: 07/08/09 05:53:00 --- 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. --- 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. --- 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.
Re: [Audyssey] Backgammon Game
Hello, Azabat games are usually sold on CD because they are designed for blind and partially sighted beginners. All the sounds are built into the CD, so it doesn't even use SAPI, and there is no installation required. A blind person with little computer experience can receive the disk in the post, pop it into a computer and play the games without any installation or assistance. There are 4 games in each volume (or 6 in volume 2) so as to keep the cost per game down as much as possible but they can be bought singularly. The version of Backgammon that Lora bought uses SAPI, so no screenreader required. You can download it and try it out then buy the registration code if you like it. There isn't another accessible version of Backgammon anywhere so I converted the one I'd written for volume 4 into SAPI (to make the download reasonably small) in order to test the market. People have often suggested I go the download route and I figured that when I sold 10 copies of the programme I'd look at converting some of my other games and make them available in this way. That milestone has still to be reached. Fortunately, the CD versions have sold better. Azabat are the only accessible computer games sold by the RNIB, the first volume is available in German (from Caretec and Marland), and all the Azabat products are available locally in the US from Independent Living Aids. Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of ian and riggs Sent: 18 June 2007 05:48 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Backgammon Game how do theese games work do you have to use your scean reader to play them or are they accessable for the blind with self voising. - Original Message - From: Lora [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 4:25 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Backgammon Game Hi Dark, OK, I downloaded the demo, and started in on a game, and as soon as I was hooked, the demo ended. You know what this means, of curse. I must go buy the key. Off to do that in a minute. I wish some of the other games were available this way. Thanks for the tip about downloading. Lora -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dark Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 8:24 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Backgammon Game Hi Laura. You can download a demo of the backgammon game from Asabat software and try it out, though it will cut out after about five minutes of play. Just go to: http://www.azabat.co.uk/ and you'll find it in the downloads section. I also believe there was a pretty good review of all the asabat games in one of the Audeasy mags, but I'm afraid I can't remember which. Hth. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Lora [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 3:14 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Backgammon Game I Googled the site, and you're absolutely right, they do have backgammon, checkers, and several other interesting games. It's a little expensive, especially since I've bought Sarah and Chillingham this month, but I may do it, since I love backgammon, and always wanted to be a better checkers player. Have you heard any reviews of these games and how well they play? Tanks for the tip. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Schamerhorn Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 7:56 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Backgammon Game I believe Azabat software has a version of this game. Ron From: Lora [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 2:22 PM Subject: [Audyssey] Backgammon Game Hi Jim, What is the possibility for a backgammon game? That would be a lot of fun. I don't think there's one out there already. Just wondering. Lora ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
[Audyssey] Publishing opportunity
Hello, As some of you know, I've developed a number of games and sell them as collections on CD. They are self-voiced and run from the CD so they are ideal for beginners - just pop the disk in and let the games begin. Anyway, I am thinking of putting together another volume of games that showcases the talents of other programmers. I'm looking for audio-based games that could be played by complete beginners and you would have to make a few modifications so all the games on the CD use the same set of keys and same voice and, basically, gel together. Renumeration would be on a royalty basis. Sales are impossible to predict but Azabat products are sold by a growing number of distributors and are the only computer games sold by the RNIB. Some of the games have been translated into German and sold by European distributors and there is also a major US distributor in the pipeline. If you're a developer and interested in collaborating please reply off-list to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks, Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Maximum purchase cost for audio games?
You're approaching this in the wrong way. Different people have different levels and the higher you set the price the bigger your margin but the fewer your sales. Nobody is getting rich from this and unless you can find a bigger market - perhaps by getting a larger distributor to take it on - you'll end up making a few dozen sales. Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Luke Yelavich Sent: 18 March 2007 10:13 To: gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] Maximum purchase cost for audio games? Greetings all. I am in the very early stages of planning an audio game. It is to be a commercial release, as well as a cut down free version. I am wondering how much people are prepared to pay at a maximum for a game, given that you have heard a game trailler, and listened to a review of the game, and given that the game audio and music is of high quality? Having an idea of what people are prepared to pay may be able to help me work out just how much I need to invest in various resources to achieve a game release. Your thoughts are most welcome, oh and even though there is a story line, I am not saying another word until I am at the stage of launching the website, which in itself is still a fair way off, so don't question me. Thanks for your time. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2125 (20070318) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
Hmm, you mean to say that there's a law that says blind people aren't allowed to play games on the GameBoy? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 01:44 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance I could be wrong but I think that's illegal. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 6:36 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance The GBA may be outdated, but games developed for the GBA should run on the DS. Also, the DS is wifi and it's possible to upload files to it from a PC, so there are no hardware costs. I've downloaded a GBA emulator so in theory I should be able to create a game and get it into a DS. The question is whether it's worthwhile doing. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
The emulation is so that I can write the games on my PC and test them out before I upload them to the DS. I'm not copying Nintendo games or planning to run them on my PC. I want to create new games and try to sell them. Is there a problem with that plan? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 13:31 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Not on the Game Boy itself, but emulation is illegal. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 2:57 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Hmm, you mean to say that there's a law that says blind people aren't allowed to play games on the GameBoy? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 01:44 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance I could be wrong but I think that's illegal. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 6:36 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance The GBA may be outdated, but games developed for the GBA should run on the DS. Also, the DS is wifi and it's possible to upload files to it from a PC, so there are no hardware costs. I've downloaded a GBA emulator so in theory I should be able to create a game and get it into a DS. The question is whether it's worthwhile doing. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2095 (20070305) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
The stuff is written in C. I'm a VB6 person so there's a learning curve, but I've done a lot of work in Perl and the notation is similar, plus the development kit has lots of samples. If you are interested, there's an entire book you can download for free on GBA programming at www.jharbour.com and the development kit (also free) is called HAM and is at www.ngine.de Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Liam Erven Sent: 05 March 2007 14:26 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance I'd love to know what language these games are written in. it's probably some scary low level language. eep. - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 8:18 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance The emulation is so that I can write the games on my PC and test them out before I upload them to the DS. I'm not copying Nintendo games or planning to run them on my PC. I want to create new games and try to sell them. Is there a problem with that plan? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 13:31 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Not on the Game Boy itself, but emulation is illegal. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 2:57 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Hmm, you mean to say that there's a law that says blind people aren't allowed to play games on the GameBoy? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 01:44 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance I could be wrong but I think that's illegal. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 6:36 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance The GBA may be outdated, but games developed for the GBA should run on the DS. Also, the DS is wifi and it's possible to upload files to it from a PC, so there are no hardware costs. I've downloaded a GBA emulator so in theory I should be able to create a game and get it into a DS. The question is whether it's worthwhile doing. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2095 (20070305) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2095 (20070305) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
That's the idea. I'd take a couple of my simpler games and try to get them to work with the GMA emulator. It can play WAV files and for input it's got cursor keys and a few buttons, so it's got everything I need. I haven't got any pricing for blowing the PROM and making the cartridges, but I'm not planning to go down that route. I suspect you'd have to make quite a lot to make it cost-effective and it would be better to link up with a company who already had the mechanisms - and Ninetendo licence - in place. You can buy an EPROM kit, so you can burn and erase the cartridges from the PC, but it's only really for testing and demonstrating (I suppose some people may use it for copying) but it wouldn't make sense to use this media for the games because of the extra cost. The alternative to a cartridge is that the DS has wi-fi built-in and there is a technique you can use to download programmes from a PC, so there isn't any hardware cost. Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 17:00 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Let me see if I've got this right. You're thinking to try and write accessible games for the GBA? Interesting idea, but I'm not sure how workable it would be. I suppose you'd just have to use an emulator to play 'em since we don't have access to the cartridges or a means of getting the finished product onto them. I supose if you were skilled enough you could conceivably develop your own games for an existing console and do it legally. Yo probably couldn't get them licensed by Nintendo without rather a lot of money, so you probably wouldn't make a whole lot from them but it's worth a try. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 9:06 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance The stuff is written in C. I'm a VB6 person so there's a learning curve, but I've done a lot of work in Perl and the notation is similar, plus the development kit has lots of samples. If you are interested, there's an entire book you can download for free on GBA programming at www.jharbour.com and the development kit (also free) is called HAM and is at www.ngine.de Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Liam Erven Sent: 05 March 2007 14:26 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance I'd love to know what language these games are written in. it's probably some scary low level language. eep. - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 8:18 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance The emulation is so that I can write the games on my PC and test them out before I upload them to the DS. I'm not copying Nintendo games or planning to run them on my PC. I want to create new games and try to sell them. Is there a problem with that plan? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 13:31 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Not on the Game Boy itself, but emulation is illegal. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 2:57 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Hmm, you mean to say that there's a law that says blind people aren't allowed to play games on the GameBoy? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 05 March 2007 01:44 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance I could be wrong but I think that's illegal. Bryan and Jennie - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 6:36 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance The GBA may be outdated, but games developed for the GBA should run on the DS. Also, the DS is wifi and it's possible to upload files to it from a PC, so
Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
Yeah, I was being a bit facitious. Could be a test case for the DDA (or ADA in the US) if Nintendo refused to make their games accessible ... Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: 05 March 2007 18:54 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Hi Steve, There is no law that won't allow a blind user to play games on the GBA. I think he was more conserned about the legality of emulation. As I explained in a previous message the law regards wripping and sharing of roms to play for emulation not emulation itself which is illegal. Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) wrote: Hmm, you mean to say that there's a law that says blind people aren't allowed to play games on the GameBoy? Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2096 (20070305) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
Sorry, I think I caused some confusion with the word emulator. The one I mentioned, called HAM, allows you to write your code in C, compile it and run it in a little window to emulate how it would run on the Game Boy. Emulator may be the wrong word because it's also used to describe a range of programmes that let you run GBA programmes on your PC. Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: 05 March 2007 19:02 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Hi Bryan, No, Steve knows that would be illegal. Steve was talking about porting his own games he makes to GBA. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2096 (20070305) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
[Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
Hi, Can anyone tell me if there are any accessible games for the Game Boy Advance? Does anyone play any of the standard games on their GBA? I'm trying to establish whether there's any sort of market for doing self-voiced games for the GameBoy. Thanks, Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance
The GBA may be outdated, but games developed for the GBA should run on the DS. Also, the DS is wifi and it's possible to upload files to it from a PC, so there are no hardware costs. I've downloaded a GBA emulator so in theory I should be able to create a game and get it into a DS. The question is whether it's worthwhile doing. Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Liam Erven Sent: 05 March 2007 01:22 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance I want to say the GBA is kind of old news due to the nintendo ds being out. not sure if it would be worth even bothering with consoll games. i don't see a huge market, and I would think the cost for hardware or what else would overshadow it. - Original Message - From: Azabat Software (Steve Crawford) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, March 04, 2007 6:38 PM Subject: [Audyssey] Game Boy Advance Hi, Can anyone tell me if there are any accessible games for the Game Boy Advance? Does anyone play any of the standard games on their GBA? I'm trying to establish whether there's any sort of market for doing self-voiced games for the GameBoy. Thanks, Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2094 (20070304) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] quick vb6 coding question
Well, there's at least 3 different answers depending on your approach. There's the whole DirectX approach using DirectSound, or you can use an ActiveX multimedia control or you can use the Windows API. I used a multimedia control in the early days but had some compatibility problems and on some systems there were huge delays between playing the WAV files which made the games unusable. I now use the API because it works on anything and doesn't give hassles but the problem I have with it is that you issue a command to play a WAV file but you can't check the status to see if it's finished. Consequently, I have to use the sync and async flags - sync means play the WAV before you process the next command and async carries on. So, if the score is made of several WAV files I'd have to play all but the last one in sync mode, which means the computer isn't doing anything else - like processing the keyboard - while the score is being announced. Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ken the Crazy Sent: 02 March 2007 10:20 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] quick vb6 coding question Hey yall, Could anyone point me in the right direction as to how to code the speaking of a player's score using wave files? I know, of course, how to set up the files, just not how or when to play them, or how to cue them so they don't play all at once. also, how do you check to see if a sound is playing? Ken Downey President DreamTechInteractive! And, Coming soon, Blind Comfort! The pleasant way to get a massage--no staring, just caring. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2088 (20070302) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Sapi problems
Hi Bryan, You should check in the control panel, go to speech then choose the TextToSpeech. This will let you set the default SAPI voice from those installed and will also allow you to preview the voices. Pick one that works and see if it fixes the problem. I think most programmes that work with SAPI probably just use the default. Cheers, Steve Azabat Software Computer Games for Blind and Partially Sighted Beginners Tel: 07740 777 364 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: 28 February 2007 19:10 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] Sapi problems Hi all, I know this is off topic but it does affect my gaming, so I'm posting it here. I recently began experiencing a problem with Sapi 5. Can't say about Sapi 4 but Sapi 5 doesn't seem to want to run anymore. I can't use it with JAWS, and more importantly I can't play many of my favorite Kitchens Inc games. I've tried all the usual stuff, uninstalling and reinstalling the software and the voices, but it's as though Windows isn't recognizing that it's installed, even though the program says it was installed successfully. I'm wondering if this is a problem that can be fixed with relative ease or if I'll have to reformat the hard drive on my Laptop again. I doesn't say that any files are missing, but I'm wondering if that's the case, and if so where I might go to look. Any help would be appreciated. Since I might be using Sapi speach in some games I create I kinda need to get this sorted out. Bryan and Jennie ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2085 (20070228) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Trivia time #1
I think the smell would probably kill him anyway. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of damien c. sadler - head of x-sight interactive Sent: 24 February 2007 20:39 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Trivia time #1 could you explain this? surely, if you say that the man was condemned to death, then what would be the point in setting up a room with some dead lions in it? regards, damien - Original Message - From: Richard Sherman [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2007 7:07 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Trivia time #1 Hi, I didn't think this one was all that hard but you really had to listen carefully. For those who do not want to know the correct answer yet now is the time to go to another email. The correct answer is: The room with the lions. As it was pointed out the lions would be dead after not eating for three years. Congratulations to all those who guessed it correctly. Rich - Original Message - From: Richard Sherman To: Gamers Discussion list Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 3:08 PM Subject: Trivia time #1 Hi, I have 3 new trivia questions to post and see if you can figur them out. I will post them one at a time. Here is question 1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him? I will post the answer in a couple of days if no one guesses it, but I seriously doubt it will go unsolved. Rich ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2079 (20070224) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Trivia time #2
Well, I would have said a newspaper but you said red (spelled R E D) rather than read (R E A D). Here's a similar one: what is black and white and red all over? S P O I L E R A penguin with a sun tan. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Richard Sherman Sent: 22 February 2007 23:12 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] Trivia time #2 Hi, Here is question 2. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away? I will post the answer in a couple of days if no one guesses it, but I seriously doubt it will go unsolved. Rich ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2076 (20070222) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Forcing accessibility was: deal or no deal
You can't force accessibility, for the reasons mentioned by Che and because accessible is a subjective term. What is accessible to you may not be accessible others. I make games for blind and partially sighted people but they won't work with a Braille display so people who are Deaf-Blind can't play them. Game companies respond to the market but gathering a few dozen signatures isn't going to change anything. Everyone here knows that the market is tiny and few developers are managing to sell more than a couple of hundred copies a year. Yet, there are 2 million people registered blind in the UK, I don't know how many more in the US, and I've just read that India has almost half a million blind children. The potential market is massive but until game developers can penetrate this market, it's going to go unnoticed. As a final thought, APH sell about 20 million dollars' worth of gadgets and assistive products a year and they obviously reach a lot of people. I found only one computer game in their catalogue, which was an antiquated word game. If you could get them, or other distributors, to publicise your games you would increase market awareness. Once you have a large enough market you'll find more developers wanting to get involved. - Original Message - From: Dennis [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 4:09 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] deal or no deal? Hi, my friend and I are attempting through legal remendies to force companies to make there computer games accessible to people with visual impairments or any other handicap the more people we have the better our chances! Feel free to contact me or my friend penny my email is [EMAIL PROTECTED] Penny's email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Screen reader
Yeah, and what about the tutorial you promised on writing an Asteroids game? Sky, there are some free screenreaders out there already. One that got a pretty good review recently was Thunder, which you can download at http://www.screenreader.net/index.php?section=Thunder. It's not just for XP and works for Win2K as well. Steve -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Sky Taylor Mundell Sent: 17 February 2007 16:00 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] Screen reader Dear Thomas. How is your screen reader project coming along? I think some time back, you menshened that you were creating a screen reader that would replace the expensive ones. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 4:36 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] sryth help Hi, Agreed. The Blade of the Fox would really kick the tarn ratts in to next week. I don't remember what exactly I was carrying the last time I took them on in my last adventure, but I had no trouble clearing the barn of tarn ratts. I cleaned their clock and then some. It would be really funny if someone saved that mission until they obtained the Hale blade and then took them on. I'd say one roll of combat would be enough to squash all six like insects. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2066 (20070216) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Forcing accessibility was: deal or no deal
You know, there are a few blind people who have never heard of accessible games. My point exactly. If you increase awareness you'll increase the size of the market and once you've got thousands of people buying games and not just a few dozen, larger developers will start to take notice. There's no shortage of blind people. You don't need to create more blind people, you need to create more blind gamers! Steve ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] deal or no deal
Have you managed to contact them yet and what sort of response did you get? -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dennis Sent: 12 February 2007 13:19 To: 'Gamers Discussion list' Subject: Re: [Audyssey] deal or no deal Here's the email address to contact the company that makes the game deal or no deal the more people that contact them the better our chance to get it accessable [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dennis -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 10:47 AM To: gamers@audyssey.org Subject: Re: [Audyssey] sryth help Hi Brandon, I have acquired the blade of the fox recently and have my weaponry and weaponry slashing skills up to 50. (the expert level) Once I got the Blade of the Fox I was able to kill off the knights quicker. I also like the new special attack system. I have 21 more rounds with those knights. I just acquired the Ring of the Serpent. Thank you guys for the help. AC ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. __ NOD32 2056 (20070212) Information __ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] encrypting sound files
Quote: What is the easiest way to encrypt files or is there one? I have purchased a sound pack from Sound Ideas and if I use them I don't want them stolen by someone. To answer the question, it involves extra steps and additional work. The basic encrytion technique is to take the file byte by byte and perform an XOR with another number to give you the new value. You could run through the entire file and do, say, XOR 42 with every value. Then to decrypt it all you have to do is the same operation again. XOR is non-destructive (it's an Exclusive OR in binary terms). The problem with this approach is that it's very simple to crack, as there are only 256 possible values, so you would use a keyword, say BANANA. You'd then XOR the first character with the ascii code for B (hex 42), the second with A (hex 41), the third with N and so on. However if you understand the structure of the header it's easily crackable because the first 4 characters of a WAV file are always RIFF so you can figure out the first 4 letters of the keyword. The answer is to use one key for the header (the first 44 or 46 characters) and a different key for the data. Once you've decided on your strategy and have encrypted all the WAV files, whenever you want to play one you have to load it into memory, decrypt it, then play it from memory. If it's a large file, loading and decrypting it will take time and you may notice the delays in your programme. In short, it's extra work, a hassle to do and may slow down your game. If it's your own files I can understand you wanting to protect them but if I can play devil's advocate once again, if Sound Ideas were concerned about the files being copied they should supply them in an encrypted format with either an Active X control or source code examples of how to decrypt them in your programme. Steve --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.12/631 - Release Date: 16/01/2007 08:25 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Copyright issues was star wars sounds
Hi Gerry, Quote: is there a way to ask the people who copy writed the material to let you use it? Tom has had dealings with Lucas and Paramount and I've had dealings with Celador (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire). If they just asked for royalties, as in a small percentage of the revenue, Tom and I would be happy to write them a cheque every 3 or 6 months. However, they ask for upfront royalties. In the case of Celador, they would normally take a couple of pounds per disk so they ask for a projected sales figure for 12 months and want you to pay all of that up front. And when you tell them you're going to sell a couple of hundred disks they tell you that you're far too small and they would only be interested if you were generating at least tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of sales. Cheers, Steve --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.12/628 - Release Date: 15/01/2007 11:04 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Dragon Warrior
Hey did anyone listen to Ivan's Goldwave demo podcast on Blindcooltech? Maybe he'll give himself away. --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.10/625 - Release Date: 13/01/2007 17:40 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Dragon Warrior
If you create a game with external WAV files there's a risk that someone will come along with their copy of Goldwave, or some other such package, and make changes. You can save them as a resource file which just adds it to the executible, so you can end up with a huge executible which probably isn't healthy. Or you can use a simple trick which is to take, say, the intro sound file, which identifies your programme, make a note of the filesize and take a fingerprint from it (say a dozen values from random locations within the file). On starting, your executible could check the size of the intro file and the fingerprint and then refuse to run if it has been changed. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Liam Erven Sent: 14 January 2007 08:39 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Dragon Warrior it is not a matter of sounds. he has taken my executible and changed the sounds to fit his concept. that is wrong and trama is no excuse. - Original Message - From: nicol [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 2:09 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Dragon Warrior Hay guys please understand ivan's situation. The boy lost his dad and his brother. He is really a trauma case. He's not himself. John, his mentor assured me that ivan isn't using liam's sounds anymore. Ivan begged so many times to get back onto this list. It happened all like this: one day I received out of the blue a message from ivan threatening me that he will ban me from his list. He accused me of jumping down him. So I wrote him a straight forward message back telling him that he is the guilty one, he stole another dev's ideas AND NOW HE WANTS TO BAN ME FROM his list while I'm innoscent. I told him that in south Africa kids who did something like that were either prisoned or spanked. john and ivan begged me to please understand that he is going through a lot of trauma. Ivan has begged me so many times to ask Thomas to put him back on list. If one goes through trauma you are not yourself and you do things that you won't do if you were not in trauma. Ivan noticed his mistake and once again john assured me he left liam's sounds. So this is the contact I had with ivan and what I can tell you guys . Please give him another chance. Although it might sound like liams's sounds, john assured me it isn't. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 9:19 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Dragon Warrior Hi Josh and all, I am not certain that Dragon Warrior is an actual game. Previously, on this list Ivan, the aledged developer of Dragon Warrior, took Liam's game Super Liam, modified the sounds, and attempted to pass it off as Dragon Warrior. It was one of the factors that wound up getting him banned from this forem. According to the recent podcast it still seams like Super Liam with a bunch of new sounds added, and a few other nifty tricks to throw you off. So bottom line I really don't trust Ivan or his word very much. One other thing is in the last Audyssey magazine I remember someone else was supposed to be designing Dragon Warrior, and that person and company was not Ivan. My guess is Ivan took the name of an unfinished game and slapped it on his aledged creation. Sorry folks to be so negative about this, but I just can't trust him much after his last endever on this forem. Smile. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.10/625 - Release Date: 13/01/2007 17:40 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.10/625 - Release Date: 13/01/2007 17:40 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] super leeum and dragon warriors
Ivan is not distributing anything at this stage, so a cease and desist letter isn't really the way forward. If he releases something and the code can be proven to be Liam's then he's committing a crime and it's time to take legal action. In the meantime, copying someone's ideas is not a crime and if he's using Liam's code as a way of demonstrating and testing some sound files with the intention of writing his own code (or licensing Liam's code) then he's not technically done anything wrong. He hasn't got a website and isn't distributing anything so I think it's a bit too early to involve the lawyers. --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Yvonne Alaniz Sent: 14 January 2007 20:38 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] super leeum and dragon warriors Here's my two cents worth on this issue. You are all being drug into this because this kid wants attention. If he can't get positive he'll take the negative. I am sure most of you have been to this web site and downloaded this fraudulent game. That just gives him the attention he wants. Leeum if I were you I would find out who this kid's parents were and have a lawyer send a nasty cease and decist letter to them and their son leeting them know that legal action will follow if he doesn't stop portraying his game as his own intelectual property and does not remove it from the web. These are just my thoughts. Maybe his parents have no idea what their kid is doing in which case they should be informed because they will be responsible if he is a minor. Yvonne Stressed out? Need to relax? Call Yvonne and schedule your massage today! (361) 249-8739 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.10/625 - Release Date: 13/01/2007 17:40 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.10/625 - Release Date: 13/01/2007 17:40 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] sod
Hey if viruses and worms can travel down telephone lines then it's perfectly reasonable to believe that demons can get into your computer that way too. Just kidding. Don't forget to check under your bed for Tokoloshes, Nicol. - It doesn't makes sence to me. Shades of Doom is just a game. How can a game bring deamons to your mothers house? If there really was deamons in this world, these can't come out from a computer. Graphics and sounds can't bring evil things to a house. It's just a computer. -- --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.16.8/621 - Release Date: 09/01/2007 13:37 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] danger city
Re: the game isn't copyrighted in any way Unless the author has been dead for 75 years then he (or his heirs) still own the copyright. Copyright is automatic. It's not something you need to apply for. If you create something original then you automatically own the copyright and you do not need to explicitly state this. --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Robin Kipp Sent: 23 December 2006 12:13 To: 'Gamers Discussion list' Subject: Re: [Audyssey] danger city Whatever, I'll keep the file there and if J. wants to complain he can do so, however I don't know if this will make me take dthe file down. The file isn't copyrighted / copyrighted by a company that doesn't exist anymore, so I guess he can't do anything against it. Many people want the game and I have a server, so I uploaded the game so other people could download and play it, it's a really good game and, Damien, I repeat it again, the game is abandoned which means development won't continue and the game isn't copyrighted in any way. Regards, Robin. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.26/598 - Release Date: 22/12/2006 15:22 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.26/598 - Release Date: 22/12/2006 15:22 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] List of handheld games?
Hi, I got an article from another list and it lists some toys which have speech:- Lucky the Incredible Wonder Pup (Zizzle) Jibbi TV (Radica) SurfBoard Voice Activated Remote Control (Innotech Systems) BRATZ Talking Alarm Clock (MGA Entertainment) Amazing Allysen (Playmates) Furby (Hasbro) Amazing Amanda (Playmates) BBK Electronic Dictionary (BBKUSA) Scamps, My Playful Pup (Hasbro) Password Journal (Girl Tech) Wise Crackin' Shrek and Donkey (Hasbro) Judging from the titles, some of them are aimed at 3 year olds. So they should appeal to a couple of people on this list. Have fun, Steve --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.26/594 - Release Date: 20/12/2006 15:54 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] crosswords
Hi Chris, I've started work on a crossword programme which I may release after Christmas. In the meantime, have a look at www.azabat.co.uk Volume 2 has some fairly easy word games but volume 4 has complex games, including an accessible clone of Scrabble. Steve --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Chris Sent: 09 December 2006 00:06 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] crosswords Hey, guys what's up? Hope your keeping warm and having fun. Been playing Tom's STar Trek Final Conflict 1.0 and it rocks!!! I'm starting slowly to get the hang of it. Was wondering something though, unrelated to STFC. I watched this movie from netflix called Word Play. It was about a national crossword competition and people who make design or play crosswords. Are there any blind crossword games out? Books? Internet accessable websites? Any that renew their puzzles regularly? I just wanted to try it out and wondered if it's even a thing that can be done. I'm assuming so. *grins* When I first lost my sight didn't even know if I'd be able to use my computerman I was mistaken! Also, does anyone know the addy formt heaudio space on the UK? I think they have a games room. Haven't messed with that in a long time. Also, related to this, what version of real audio works well with Jaws? I need to know to play their games, if I remember correctly. Anyways, take care. Chris -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/579 - Release Date: 07/12/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] crosswords
Hi Chris, I've started work on a crossword programme which I may release after Christmas. In the meantime, have a look at www.azabat.co.uk Volume 2 has some fairly easy word games but volume 4 has complex games, including an accessible clone of Scrabble. Steve --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Chris Sent: 08 December 2006 07:22 To: gamers Subject: [Audyssey] crosswords Hi all! I've not been keeping up at all with much on the list and for that I'm regretful. Are there still any sales going on on the blind game sites? Did I miss out? Oh wellshould pay more attention. At any rate, I just finished watching a movie called Word Play about crossword competition and making and doing puzzles. John Stewart and Bill Clinton make an appearance. What does this have to do with the list? After seeing this documentory I figure I'd like to try it out. Are there any accessable games or websites that the blind can play? Also, I used to go to the audio games room from the UK does anyone have that addy? I miss it a lot. Thanks a ton, Chrissie ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/579 - Release Date: 07/12/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/579 - Release Date: 07/12/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] ATTN!! message from Munawar bijani about bpcprograms
Er, forgive me for saying this, but in business you'll aways find some difficult customers. You shouldn't have to close your business because of one bad experience, or let one bad experience affect you to this extent. Live and learn from the experience. --- Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel (UK): 07740 777 364 International: +44 7740 777 364 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Stephen Sent: 04 December 2006 03:30 To: gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] ATTN!! message from Munawar bijani about bpcprograms I am writing on behalf of Munawar, the brains behind bpc programs. Some of you have been asking why he is no longer in the business, Here's the full story in his words. Make sure to read the message thoroughly as we can all learn a thing or too from it. -- I started out around 2001 I think. my goal was to create games for blind people. at first they were free, and then suddenly I started charging, because Treasure Hunt had become a real first person shooter complete with an overall objective. That was when I had lots of time, and, most importantly, motivation. I wanted to leave a mark in the so-called blind gaming community, because I realized something quite quickly. We had too many rated E games, games for kids rather than adults. So began my major upgrade to Treasure Hunt. There's a common misconception that I just wanted to expand the game and put more features in it, bringing it up from version three to four. The real reason was that we needed more serious action games; games which run around a storyline. So now we were in the four year round about of BPC's life. Treasure Hunt was released six months later, I believe February of 2005. Now, everyone who followed the evolution of Treasure Hunt remembers the major patch upgrades. The game was quite bug-filled, which showed me that my skills in programming actually weren't as well-planted as I had thought they were. And, of course, my beta testers were jokes, save a select few (you know who you are) So from Feburary 2005 to early 2006, I was releasing patch after patch. That was my job; it wasn't a good experience for me at all, and I quickly realized Treasure Hunt was, in itself, a failure. The game turned out to be rated E although I had hoped it wouldn't be, and some things did not work for no apparent reason. After this period of patch releasing, I arived at the first really stable version of Treasure Hunt, 4.25, and that's when I was able to turn my attention to the finances of the organization. Payments were coming in nicely the first couple months, then declined. They went back up in December of 2005, thanks to Christmas shoppers. Developers love Christmas. Finally, I saw a steady drop of purchases, In March, I made one sale, April was zero, and May was around that number. But then came a further change, and it was not a pleasant one. someone actually filed a charge back against me. Can you believe the morality of this person? I won't name them, but they will know who they are when they read this. This individual had bought a copy of the game from me, and then turned around and claimed that I made an unauthorized purchase to their credit card. Not only did Pay Pal refund their money, they also gave them $10.00 extra. This leech was paid $10.00 for buying my game! I had given them the registration key and everything, I saw no fault with the order. They got what they paid for. Now, Consider all of what I have said. I did consider everything, and I'll briefly recap. Treasure Hunt was a rated E game when it wasn't supposed to be; someone accused me of credit card fraud, something which degraded my reputation greatly; there was no more money being made; I lost my motivation; and, finally, I hated all those 13-year-olds trying to make games. Unfortunately, people seem to trust any word of mouth they get, even if it's from one person only, My sales went down dramatically after the chargeback. So, now it was June. One fine day, I decided to just throw it all away. I will admit it can be called cowardly for me to do so, but I did not really have a choice. Pressing on would have resulted in a lawsuit, which I do not have the money to fund, A plane which started off quickly and then crash landed, that's what happened with BPCPrograms, SD, And that, my fellow gamers, was the story of the BPCPrograms Software Division. message ends I've no idea if Munawar would want to put up treasure hunt for free like what was done with self destruct and danger city but I suspect not considering all that's happened. Take care ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. --
Re: [Audyssey] USA Games Holiday News.
Hi Thomas, I haven't been on this list for long, nor developing accessible games all that long either, so I'm probably going to ask a really dumb question but here goes. Your Montezuma's Revenge sounds like a clone of the famous Parker Brother's game of the 80s. Did you have to get permission from Parker Brothers or did they put it in the public domain or what? Reading on your site, you acquired the rights to the game from Alchemy Game Works so did they have the rights. As a developer of commercial software I'm scared stiff that someone will come along and threaten me with legal action for copyright infringement. I think, under the ammendments to the copyright act here (UK) you can produce accessible versions without seeking permission of the copyright holder but this, of course, applies only for personal use and not for commercial products. Thanks, Steve Azabat Software: accessible games for visually impaired beginners Web: www.azabat.co.uk Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: 07740 777 364 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: 29 November 2006 20:47 To: gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] USA Games Holiday News. USA Games Entertainment Holiday News Nov. 9, 2006 Introduction Greetings gamers, There is allot happening for USA Games customers and supporters this holiday season. We have a couple of releases coming up as well as a completely new and improved web site going up. So read on to get the scoop. Star Trek Final Conflict At last after two years of development, testing, and many setbacks we are happy to announce STFC 1.0 is nearly complete and is ready for final release. As most of you know the code was lost for this title, but I managed to sort through my betas and found one stable enough to release to the general public. There will be a few miner bugs and snags in 1.0, but for the most part it is stable and ready to ship. All that really needs doing is finishing the users guide, rebuild the installer, and post it on the web site for download. As many of you may have heard this 1.0 final release will be released as free ware. There will be no charge for the full release, and among the changes is the full version of the game, support for DirectX 9.0C 2006, Microsoft .NET 2.0, and uses Innosetup for installation. Although, we know the release will between now and Christmas we aren't prepared to set a specific day and time. More information will be announced on the Audyssey mailing list, the USA Games mailing list, or our web site http://www.usagames.us when the announcement is ready to be given. Montezuma's Revenge I'm aware many of you will be interested in venturing in to temple 2. However, I've not been able to complete that level do to time. However, I do have plans to update Montezuma's Revenge with support for .NET Framework 2, a new manual, and other miner bug fixes, changes, and updates. More information will be announced as the release is nearer to completion of the next update. USA Games Web Site As mentioned before the USA Games web site http://www.usagames.us is undergoing a major upgrade. It is not certain when the new site is going to be launched, but we do intend to upgrade this month. Many of the new changes will include a slightly new look and feel to the web site. For those interested we have dropped the split frame view and have decided to switch to a more traditional table layout for our site navigation section. We feel not only is this a bit more accessible I am told the appearance of the site looks better by having two rows of organized links along the top and bottom of each page. In addition we will be adding more to our download center besides our own games. We will have links to download the latest Ubuntu Linux installation disks, links for other third party software, and we will eventually be putting up links to other places as well. This is likely to be an ongoing project through December, and probably on in 2007. However, when done USA Games will have more content, and be more than just a place holder for our games and projects. At this point we do not plan to discuss all the changes we will be doing to the site, but when it is launched we will certainly let you know. Thomas Ward President of USA Games Entertainment http://www.usagames.us ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.14.14/548 - Release Date: 23/11/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.2/560 - Release Date: 30/11/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To
Re: [Audyssey] Baseball game
Being in the UK, I did once consider producing an accessible version of our equivalent but I decided there probably wouldn't be much interest in accessible rounders. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Stancil Tootle Sent: 17 November 2006 01:45 To: gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] Baseball game Hello List: Where can I find a good baseball game? Thanks Peace Stancil Tootle ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.14.2/528 - Release Date: 10/11/2006 -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.14.2/528 - Release Date: 10/11/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] bscgames
Tom, for what it's worth, there's some sort of routing problem to BSC games. I can't connect to it from the UK and tracert eventually times out. You should ask your ISP to investigate. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Tom Randall Sent: 11 October 2006 16:35 To: 'Gamers Discussion list' Subject: Re: [Audyssey] bscgames Hello Nicol, you can go to this link to subscribe to the Gametalk mailing list. http://www.bscgames.com/bsc_gametalk.asp hope this helps. --- Regards, Tom Randall BSCGames Sales Office: 559-224-2436 9 AM to 5 PM PST Mon-Fri Web: http://www.BSCGames.com FAQ: http://www.BSCGames.com/faq.asp -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Nicol Oosthuizen Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 9:31 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] bscgames NB: This email and its contents are subject to our email legal notice which can be viewed at http://www.sars.gov.za/Email_Disclaimer.pdf Sorry for posting from this address. I know I promised to post from my home computer, but I would just like to ask: can anyone give me the subscribe address to the BSC games list please? -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: 10 October 2006 05:40 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] bscgames PS Scratch the ping. The server where BSC Games is at blocks pings. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.13.1/470 - Release Date: 10/10/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.13.1/470 - Release Date: 10/10/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] Thoughts about chess
Check out Azabat Backgammon for SAPI. You can play against the computer or against a second player and there's instructions on how to play the games. www.azabat.co.uk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ronald Hopkins II Sent: 02 October 2006 02:02 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Thoughts about chess I'd like to see a multiplayer game of backgammin for the blind, I have a board, but don't know how to play it. [Original Message] From: Phil Vlasak [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Date: 10/1/2006 8:19:06 PM Subject: [Audyssey] Thoughts about chess Hi Charles, If there was ever a game that is old and dusty, it is chess! We could make it modern by changing the way the pieces move! Have you ever seen a horse that moves straight and then turns 90 degrees? How about having him jump two spaces, then jump two more and for the hell of it jump another two in a straight line! And how about the castles they should not be able to move at all, except if they fall over and crush what is next to them thus killing themselves. And who ever saw a king that was so old and feeble he could only move one square? How about if the king could jump eight squares in any direction! Wow that will knock the dust off this old game! smiles, Phil - Original Message - From: Charles Rivard [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2006 6:21 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Thoughts about Montezuma's Revenge. You're missing the point entirely, though. Here are some of your thoughts, with a response that will, hopefully, explain why it should be left as it originally was. These are my thoughts on yours: This is the 21st century and everyone wants something that was popular in the 70-80's to be kept the same. How about moving up and upgrading to the current and future? If people want games that are from the 70-80's, why not just buy a game from that era and play it? My response is that we, as blind people, who have not been able to play the original games, will now have a chance to do so. Because we have never played the game, it is, obviously, new to us. I emphasize new to us, because that is the key. How ridiculous is it to want a game that is old and dusty? Why not have a game that has a lot of replay value and one that can offer so much more fun and challenges and current with today's programming capabilities? why not make a game that is attractive to all old and young a like? My response: What makes you think that Montezuma's Revenge has no replay value? The game's age?? Have you played it all the way through? No, because it does not exist in a format that blind people can access. Here again, just because a game is old does not mean that it does not have replay value. Chess is over 2,000 years old, and it is still played all over the world by tons of people. The age of a game has no bearing on whether it has, or does not have, replay value. If a game is good, it will remain so. Time does tell the quality of a game. The good ones last forever. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/457 - Release Date: 26/09/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.12.12/462 - Release Date: 03/10/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
[Audyssey] Azabat Backgammon for SAPI
Hi, Bowing to public pressure, I've produced a SAPI version of my accessible Backgammon and put it in the download section of my website: www.azabat.co.uk It's a commercial product and will sell for 10 pounds (18 US dollars) but you can download it and try it out a little for free and buy a registration code if you want to play the full game. I'd be grateful for comments and feedback. If it's successful I may do the same for some of my other games. Cheers, Steve -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 268.12.9/457 - Release Date: 26/09/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
[Audyssey] Azabat price cut
Hi All, Just to let people know that I've slashed 20% off the retail price of my games. Full details at www.azabat.co.uk Cheers, Steve -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 268.12.2/441 - Release Date: 07/09/2006 ___ Gamers mailing list .. Gamers@audyssey.org To unsubscribe send E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can visit http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org to make any subscription changes via the web.
Re: [Audyssey] azabat software
Hi Ari, Perhaps I should have introduced myself sooner, I'm Steve Crawford, the guy who runs Azabat Software. You've raised a lot of questions, I'll try to give you some answers. 1. The games are self-voiced and sound exactly like NeoSpeech Kate - I just love that voice. They were designed to be played by computer novices so they don't require a screen reader or speech engine and they are designed to run off the CD. The idea is that a blind person with little computer experience could receive a disk in the post, pop it in a computer and play the games without needing to install or configure anything. The games have a display, so they are suitable for sighted people as well. I had feedback with the earlier games (volumes 1 and 2) from blind people who enjoyed playing the games with their grandchildren so volumes 3 and 4 contain games that can be played competetively - players taking turns on the computer. In the draughts game, you can either play against the computer or against a second player on the same PC. If you play against the computer there are about 6 levels. You use the cursor keys to move around the board and Kate tells you the co-ordinates and if there are any pieces there, you hit enter to pick up a piece, go to where you want to place it and press enter again. The Sudoku game has zillions of generated puzzles or you can type in your own. You move around the grid and it tells you what's in each square, or you can change the view to row, column or box and have it read out the digits in whatever row, column or box you are in. There is a demo of the Hangman game you can download and use for free. It will give you an idea of how I've designed my games. 2. I've been doing games for just over a year and have had quite a lot of publicity in the UK. I did Sight Village last month and also last year, and do lots of other shows - SoundSite, Reveal, Vision Support, etc. I've been interviewed on Soundings and Play-Back a couple of times, and also on Radio 4's In Touch. I also have around 20 distributors, including the RNIB. In fact, I think I'm the only vendor of computer games that supplies the RNIB. 3. Well, I won't try to tell you that cost is relative and that I have to eat and my distributors want to make their margin. Instead, I'll point out that each volume typically contains 4 games for that price and that individual games are available at 20 pounds each. I'm aware that many of the earlier titles are available elsewhere for free but I don't think the games in volume 4 - Backgammon, Dominoes, Draughts and Scrazabat (accessible clone of Scrabble) - have been done elsewhere. I may do some downloadable versions on my site and sell registration codes to unlock all the features at a later stage. For now, the majority of my clients are either just getting started with computers or computer games and many don't use the Internet. In some cases I'm selling to people in their 70s and 80s who are buying computer games for the first time in their lives and they love playing the games with their grandchildren. If you have any more questions or want to send me your address to [EMAIL PROTECTED] I can post you a demo disk with all the games. Cheers, Steve -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of ari Sent: 27 August 2006 19:56 To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: [Audyssey] azabat software Hi everyone, I'm not really sure how to put these points across, but I'll try. I read the news in Audyssey about this new company called Azabat Software which produces 4 games CD's. I'm interested in the type of games they produce, one CD has Sudocu and some other games, and another CD has games which I really like such as Draughts and Backgammon. Here however are my problems: 1. The site doesn't give proper information like how the games would actually be played. How would you play their Draughts and Backgammon, how much control do you have over the game, also with draughts, are their different skill levels? And how is Sudocu? Their are no demos, sound files, etc of these games. 2. This company, if it's a company making these games, is not well-known. It is not a Code Factory, which has a huge organisation like Once as it's backer, and since you can't test the product, you really don't know about the quality of the games. I'd never heard, for example about USA games, GMA Games, etc, but since they'd let me test their products, I knew they'd be good and fun. 3. My biggest problem is that each game CD costs 50 pounds, a huge amount of money here, the exchange rate is 13 to 1. To give you guys an idea, one CD is more expensive than Terraformers, ($60), or even Time Adventures (also $60). I've never seen such an expensive games collection, it's nearly as much as a one month's dissability pension in SA. Even for people in the UK and the USA, this is quite expensive, since even sighted games on CD are around 20 to 30 pounds. I really like Draughts and Backgammon though
