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My blind-from-birth friend wants to play a video game but most are not friendly to him. (self.Blind)
submitted by VincentVanNope
Hey everyone. First time poster, I myself am not blind so if there's a better place to post this please let me know. My good friend "Dan" is blind from birth, he was born without eyes. He really wants to be able to play a video game but I'm not sure which ones would be blind-friendly, if any. Are there any games that are based on sound rather than visuals that he could maybe play? I appreciate any or all suggestions. He feels really left out when we play games even when i narrate them and it would be awesome if he could play with us sometime.
Nighthawk321 19 points 7y ago
I got you fam:
1. $1: A database for all audio games for the blind, as well as audio games that are being developed.
2. $1: Highly regarded as the best audio games developer out there. Be sure to check out Swamp, online Zombie FPS, as well as Castaways, online strategy game.
3. $1: Sam Tupy, an amazing blind audio games developer who is only 13. His two best games are Survive the Wild, a survival minecraft type game. His other game that was just released is Red spot, online FPS; very fun game.
4. $1: A dungeon roaming type game. Very very fun with lots of replayability.
5. $1: A revolutionary hacker named TylerSpivey hacked into a Pokemon Crystal emulator and made the entire game accessible to screen readers.
6. $1: Hands down the best audio sidescroller. Features over 100 stages, a bunch of unlockable weapons and items, and frequent and challenging bosses. This is the Japanese version, but there is a translation out there. I'll have to ask my friend where it is when he wakes up and then I'll edit this post.
7. Mortal Kombat X: This is a mainstream game that you two can play together. The stereo panning makes it very easy to play blind. $1 a video on my Youtube channel playing MKX.
8. Pokemon: Say what? Blind people can play Pokemon? Hell yeah! It takes a lot of memorization, but it can totally be done; I've beaten every game. If he's never played Pokemon, no worries, I'm the mod of the subreddit /r/blindpokemon. The goal is to have sighted people help create text walkthroughs to help those who are blind play the games.
9. Street Fighter: I don't personally play this game, but I know several blind people who do.
10. Killer Instinct: Another awesome fighting game with a badass soundtrack.
Visit my website $1 to find walkthroughs for Pokemon, as well as tutorials for Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct.
Hope this helps!
1. $1: A database for all audio games for the blind, as well as audio games that are being developed.
2. $1: Highly regarded as the best audio games developer out there. Be sure to check out Swamp, online Zombie FPS, as well as Castaways, online strategy game.
3. $1: Sam Tupy, an amazing blind audio games developer who is only 13. His two best games are Survive the Wild, a survival minecraft type game. His other game that was just released is Red spot, online FPS; very fun game.
4. $1: A dungeon roaming type game. Very very fun with lots of replayability.
5. $1: A revolutionary hacker named TylerSpivey hacked into a Pokemon Crystal emulator and made the entire game accessible to screen readers.
6. $1: Hands down the best audio sidescroller. Features over 100 stages, a bunch of unlockable weapons and items, and frequent and challenging bosses. This is the Japanese version, but there is a translation out there. I'll have to ask my friend where it is when he wakes up and then I'll edit this post.
7. Mortal Kombat X: This is a mainstream game that you two can play together. The stereo panning makes it very easy to play blind. $1 a video on my Youtube channel playing MKX.
8. Pokemon: Say what? Blind people can play Pokemon? Hell yeah! It takes a lot of memorization, but it can totally be done; I've beaten every game. If he's never played Pokemon, no worries, I'm the mod of the subreddit /r/blindpokemon. The goal is to have sighted people help create text walkthroughs to help those who are blind play the games.
9. Street Fighter: I don't personally play this game, but I know several blind people who do.
10. Killer Instinct: Another awesome fighting game with a badass soundtrack.
Visit my website $1 to find walkthroughs for Pokemon, as well as tutorials for Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct.
Hope this helps!
VincentVanNope [OP] 5 points 7y ago
You're my best fucking friend right now fam. Thanks.
Zach_of_Spades 2 points 7y ago
As a ytoytally blind gamer, this post was very comprehensive. Everything I would have said is here.
VincentVanNope [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Awesome. Do you play by yourself, with friends or both? Any suggestions to help me set him up or help out in any way?
Zach_of_Spades 1 points 7y ago
Like most other gamers, I do a mix of both. Games like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter and Soul Caliber are games I tend to play with my buddies. The mainstream games are the ones I usually play with other people. The audio only games are games you can play either solo or online. I've been having a good time with Red Spot lately, but it's full of assholes and hackers. Most of the audio games are inferior imho, but sometimes when you gotta scratch the itch, they do the job. I've been enjoing a audio based Xevious clone called Villians From Beyond lately. There's a link to it on new releases on audiogamesnet.
I've also enjoyed some old interactive fiction text adventure games at various time. If your friend Dan has an iPhone, there are some pretty decent mobile games you can get into with that as well.
I've also enjoyed some old interactive fiction text adventure games at various time. If your friend Dan has an iPhone, there are some pretty decent mobile games you can get into with that as well.
Nighthawk321 2 points 7y ago
Yup no problem.
battlecats44 2 points 7y ago
Thank you, Nighthawk321. I came here looking for games for a blind housemate and didn't expect to find such a comprehensive list!
SpoilerAlert6 1 points 7y ago
I read that Skullgirls is more of a audio-friendly fighter if you mess with a either a line of code or something. I'm not sure off of the top of my head. Can you confirm this in any way? We don't want to purchase it if my SO can't play it.
Nighthawk321 1 points 7y ago
Yes it's an audio friendly fighter, but the menus also have screen reader support.
desdelgadillo 1 points 7y ago
Super comprehensive post,thanks. Are all of these resources Windows-centric or are there any games playable on Mac for VO? I'm particularly interested in the Pokemon game but that looks to be specific to Windows.
Nighthawk321 1 points 7y ago
Yeah, all of these are Windows based I believe. I think you're able to run Red Spot through Wine, but I'm not totally sure.
FluidicDivinityX 2 points 7y ago
Hi.
This pulls on my heart, being both an attempting blind gamer, and an employee of a vision rehabilitation agency.
There are so many fabulous suggestions that have been shared here before me, so here is what I have left to suggest that weren't mentioned already:
www.MateriaMagica.com
This is a MUSH, or a MUD. I'm pretty new to the genre myself, but basically it is an MMORPG that is played completely with text. It is played by sighted and VI people, and it is completely usable with NVDA.
It is high fantasy, so it is very similar to D&D..... Hey, D&D.
It isn't video games, but if you or your friend are into D&D, that is a totally freeing way to explore and be creative in a world, like these high-budget next-gen video games.
I know it's not for everyone, but I'd love to talk about Materia Magica, D&D with blind people, or any of these other fantastic suggestions here. MM is only one of literally thousands of text-based adventure games, single or multi-player.
Thank you so much for being an ally, and making it possible for your friend to feel like he belongs in this part of the world he's chosen. We need more people like you. :D
This pulls on my heart, being both an attempting blind gamer, and an employee of a vision rehabilitation agency.
There are so many fabulous suggestions that have been shared here before me, so here is what I have left to suggest that weren't mentioned already:
www.MateriaMagica.com
This is a MUSH, or a MUD. I'm pretty new to the genre myself, but basically it is an MMORPG that is played completely with text. It is played by sighted and VI people, and it is completely usable with NVDA.
It is high fantasy, so it is very similar to D&D..... Hey, D&D.
It isn't video games, but if you or your friend are into D&D, that is a totally freeing way to explore and be creative in a world, like these high-budget next-gen video games.
I know it's not for everyone, but I'd love to talk about Materia Magica, D&D with blind people, or any of these other fantastic suggestions here. MM is only one of literally thousands of text-based adventure games, single or multi-player.
Thank you so much for being an ally, and making it possible for your friend to feel like he belongs in this part of the world he's chosen. We need more people like you. :D
VincentVanNope [OP] 2 points 7y ago
I will definitely have to explore this with Dan, and if he's not interested for some reason, i myself will want to play. That is a fantastic suggestion and something he can play on his own too. Everyone has been so awesome with suggestions but unfortunately many require me being there, so he's stuck with nothing to do when I'm not around. Mostly he just sleeps when he's alone, which really sucks because I know what that's like, to be so depressed and bored that you can't do anything else. So thank you. Your response really means a lot to me. I hadn't considered myself an ally because I'm just doing what every friend should do, but I guess you're right. Hearing about some of his ex-friends and how they treated him makes me so angry, and the fact that no one's thought to include him in their video game sessions before makes me even more mad.
So anyway, if there are more text-based games you yourself like playing, i'd love to hear about them. I'll be looking them up myself but a recommendation is always useful.
So anyway, if there are more text-based games you yourself like playing, i'd love to hear about them. I'll be looking them up myself but a recommendation is always useful.
DreamingTheMelody 2 points 7y ago
Aww. The help that you got through this is kind of glorious. Excuse me while I get all emotional and girly and blahblah.
Anyway. Yes. No. Anything that I would've recommended has already been mentioned here, so I thought I'd just say that you're a glorious friend, and--really, the main reason that I clicked on this is because I kind of had the same experience? Aer that is, I'm not as much into gaming anymore, but back when the GameCube was a thing (ah, the nostalgia), my brother taught me how to play various games. Just kind of like, you have to do this and do that and blahblah--no, you just fell into the volcano you idiot! Pay attention! I don't know how feasible that is with the games nowadays, but it's maybe something to keep in mind?
Good luck OP! I hope that your friend finds something that makes him happy!
Edit: a word.
Anyway. Yes. No. Anything that I would've recommended has already been mentioned here, so I thought I'd just say that you're a glorious friend, and--really, the main reason that I clicked on this is because I kind of had the same experience? Aer that is, I'm not as much into gaming anymore, but back when the GameCube was a thing (ah, the nostalgia), my brother taught me how to play various games. Just kind of like, you have to do this and do that and blahblah--no, you just fell into the volcano you idiot! Pay attention! I don't know how feasible that is with the games nowadays, but it's maybe something to keep in mind?
Good luck OP! I hope that your friend finds something that makes him happy!
Edit: a word.
VincentVanNope [OP] 3 points 7y ago
Oh hey, I have a GameCube with all my childhood games on it! That's actually a really great idea. Now I'm getting sad though realizing he's never experienced them as a child like you and I have. But now at least as an adult he maybe can.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the suggestion. He's left out of a lot of social events even when he's in the same room because nobody but me and my fiancee seems to want to explain to him what's going on or try to include him. He told me about this when i first met him but I've seen it first hand almost every time we hang out in large groups or at a bar. I asked him before posting this if it was okay for me to ask the blind and gaming communities of Reddit and he started crying because no one else had thought to do this for him before. It just makes me really upset. These responses have all been so great on both threads and i appreciate everyone trying to help my friend, this guy none of you will probably meet. It means a lot.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the suggestion. He's left out of a lot of social events even when he's in the same room because nobody but me and my fiancee seems to want to explain to him what's going on or try to include him. He told me about this when i first met him but I've seen it first hand almost every time we hang out in large groups or at a bar. I asked him before posting this if it was okay for me to ask the blind and gaming communities of Reddit and he started crying because no one else had thought to do this for him before. It just makes me really upset. These responses have all been so great on both threads and i appreciate everyone trying to help my friend, this guy none of you will probably meet. It means a lot.
AlliTurna 1 points 7y ago
Another proof that blindness separates people. Yet technology makes it even worse!
Yes looking at you, u/claudettemonet
Yes looking at you, u/claudettemonet
claudettemonet 1 points 7y ago
Wait wait. Is it really worse? Or does it make it worse AND better... so basically it is the same.... just more complicated? Or are you just messing with me, Alliturna?
RodionGork 2 points 7y ago
Hi there!
> even when i narrate them
It sounds like your friend may have a great time with text quests then. Probably you together will need to investigate what is the best way to use screen reader with them, but I believe this certainly is worth trying.
Of course you'd better try it first yourself. Most of them have many versions / implementations so you'll need to find out which is more suitable for your purpose.
There are two drawbacks I anticipate:
- probably it is hard to skip unnecessary text when using games with screen reader, but some games allow choose between "short" and "verbose" mode;
- sometimes the player may want to write down some game info (instead of keeping all in his memory) - but probably this could be achieved by alt-tab switching to notepad and making notes there which could be read later (or perhaps you know better apps).
To start try $1 which is the classic of the genre
Or $1 - it also has 2 and 3 parts but I failed to solve them :)
If you'll succeed with this idea, it would be great to hear your opinion!
I suspect that games of other types than quest (logic and perhaps even arcade) should exist for your case. Perhaps we can find some or even create some... If you have some comparatively simple idea - please share it. Perhaps we can plug in our coding skills :)
P.S. Just found this list - have no idea is it worthwile: http://www.7128.com/top25/topsitesblind.html
> even when i narrate them
It sounds like your friend may have a great time with text quests then. Probably you together will need to investigate what is the best way to use screen reader with them, but I believe this certainly is worth trying.
Of course you'd better try it first yourself. Most of them have many versions / implementations so you'll need to find out which is more suitable for your purpose.
There are two drawbacks I anticipate:
- probably it is hard to skip unnecessary text when using games with screen reader, but some games allow choose between "short" and "verbose" mode;
- sometimes the player may want to write down some game info (instead of keeping all in his memory) - but probably this could be achieved by alt-tab switching to notepad and making notes there which could be read later (or perhaps you know better apps).
To start try $1 which is the classic of the genre
Or $1 - it also has 2 and 3 parts but I failed to solve them :)
If you'll succeed with this idea, it would be great to hear your opinion!
I suspect that games of other types than quest (logic and perhaps even arcade) should exist for your case. Perhaps we can find some or even create some... If you have some comparatively simple idea - please share it. Perhaps we can plug in our coding skills :)
P.S. Just found this list - have no idea is it worthwile: http://www.7128.com/top25/topsitesblind.html
VincentVanNope [OP] 4 points 7y ago
I really really appreciate you taking the time too type this out for me. We play games games Cards Against Humanity and such but of course it isn't the same as playing a video game. I posted this question to r/gaming and some of the replies were vary helpful but some just told me to give up essentially because video games aren't made for blind people... As one of Dans best friends i think that's bullshit. I can tell him the plot to Bioshock but i want him to really experience a game for himself instead of sitting there listening to stories you know?
Anyway sorry for the rant, point is i really appreciate you. Thank you.
Anyway sorry for the rant, point is i really appreciate you. Thank you.
[deleted] 1 points 7y ago
[deleted]
VincentVanNope [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Whoops, let me clarify. I think it's bullshit that there aren't more blind-friendly options for many popular video games. For example, Telltale's The Walking Dead game was amazing and I could read it to him if there was an option to make it not-timed. On the other hand if there was a mode to turn on a reader then he could even play without me. I'm not sure how that would work with many games but I'm sure some could implement features to help make them more accessible. It's cool that we can play text games together when I'm around, but what about when I'm not? It would be cool for him to load up Steam and play games just like me, that's all. It's upsetting watching him feel so over this.
Your suggestions of the text based games is great though, admittedly i haven't played them in so long that i almost forgot they existed. I'll look for some good ones or maybe even write my own.
Your suggestions of the text based games is great though, admittedly i haven't played them in so long that i almost forgot they existed. I'll look for some good ones or maybe even write my own.
AlliTurna 1 points 7y ago
I'm actually working on one right now! It should be on the air before the summer ends.
Edit: And thanks for clarifying! I totally agree with you. I used to complain about that a lot, but I kind of accepted the fact and moved on, I guess.
Edit: And thanks for clarifying! I totally agree with you. I used to complain about that a lot, but I kind of accepted the fact and moved on, I guess.
AlliTurna 1 points 7y ago
Honestly, I don't see why you think it's bullshit. I see nothing wrong with the statement
> video games aren't made for blind people.
No one says you can't play anything with your friend. You will have to give up on some enjoyment of video games to play with your friend and try some other options.
There are numerous of audio games and text based games that can be as much fun as video games out there. I imagine audio games wouldn't be fun for those who are used to video ones, but text based games can be amazing nevertheless.
> video games aren't made for blind people.
No one says you can't play anything with your friend. You will have to give up on some enjoyment of video games to play with your friend and try some other options.
There are numerous of audio games and text based games that can be as much fun as video games out there. I imagine audio games wouldn't be fun for those who are used to video ones, but text based games can be amazing nevertheless.
RodionGork 1 points 7y ago
> As one of Dans best friends i think that's bullshit.
Oh yes, I completely agree :)
When we play games or read books - we construct some world in our imagination and so we really play inside our head... This imaginary world could be mapped from computer to our brain via different ways... Audio-channel - our ears - is perhaps just somewhat slower - but on the other hand it gives more freedom for imagination as scientists explain.
So I believe you and your friend do the right thing - and should keep on trying and researching. Who knows - perhaps after testing some number of games you come up with your own ideas and start your own game design company :)
Oh yes, I completely agree :)
When we play games or read books - we construct some world in our imagination and so we really play inside our head... This imaginary world could be mapped from computer to our brain via different ways... Audio-channel - our ears - is perhaps just somewhat slower - but on the other hand it gives more freedom for imagination as scientists explain.
So I believe you and your friend do the right thing - and should keep on trying and researching. Who knows - perhaps after testing some number of games you come up with your own ideas and start your own game design company :)
VincentVanNope [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Very true on all points. I would love to make my own gaming company someday, especially after watching him struggle through this. It would be really cool and feel good to do that for him and everyone else going through the same issue. So maybe someday that could be a reality lol.
I had a lot of good advise and suggestions from both here and r/gaming so I have a lot to try out tonight when I'm off work. Everyone has been great and i appreciate it.
I had a lot of good advise and suggestions from both here and r/gaming so I have a lot to try out tonight when I'm off work. Everyone has been great and i appreciate it.
johnnytai 1 points 7y ago
Technically he can play any verses fighting game. May need some help till he's familiar with them but once he gets a hang of them it's easy to explore and learn new games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AcJXp7zDN4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AcJXp7zDN4
stereomatch 1 points 7y ago
This app has been number one on iPhone App Store - it's called A Dark Room - and it has been made accessible by the developer as well:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/a-dark-room/id736683061?mt=8
I think they are also intending to port it to Android as well.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/a-dark-room/id736683061?mt=8
I think they are also intending to port it to Android as well.
VincentVanNope [OP] 2 points 7y ago
Awesome thanks. His phone was stolen a few months ago but maybe he could play it on my fiancee's phone.
sufferer 1 points 7y ago
I'm low vision, and I play a lot of Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Wii! The mini games rely mostly on sound and rhythm
In fact, some of the minigames deliberately block your vision, so you don't really have to see anything to play.
In fact, some of the minigames deliberately block your vision, so you don't really have to see anything to play.
VincentVanNope [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Thanks for the suggestion! It's a shame I don't own a Wii because that would be cool to try.
octupus8 1 points 7y ago
If either one of you own a smart phone, Blind Legend is a great free mobile game audio game that's pretty immersive. There's also the Blindfold series of audio games on mobile but they're geared more towards children.
Unfortunately there's not much more than that on mobile - my friend and I are in the process of developing an audio game for mobile devices and they're not exactly developer friendly. :/
Unfortunately there's not much more than that on mobile - my friend and I are in the process of developing an audio game for mobile devices and they're not exactly developer friendly. :/
Nighthawk321 1 points 7y ago
There's a lot more than just that.
1. Papa Sangre 1 and 2
2. The Night Jar
3. Audio Defence
4. Sixth sense can be fun
5. Navel Combat is accessible as well.
1. Papa Sangre 1 and 2
2. The Night Jar
3. Audio Defence
4. Sixth sense can be fun
5. Navel Combat is accessible as well.
claudettemonet 1 points 7y ago
Don't know how he does it. But I know it can be done.
https://youtu.be/p6CMQH_S038
Check it out :)
And as the Chinese say, 加油!!!
https://youtu.be/p6CMQH_S038
Check it out :)
And as the Chinese say, 加油!!!
Nighthawk321 1 points 7y ago
I consider myself to be a pretty good gamer, but agreed, I have absolutely no idea haha.
VincentVanNope [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Thanks!
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