Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Making a mMO/MUD game for the visually impaired (self.Blind)
submitted by knellerwashere
I'm a previously visually impaired and partially blind person who designs games as a hobby. Up until now, I've mostly designed board games and rpgs. Currently, I find myself on a project where I am designing a MUD video game (mostly mechanics and creative content). The game itself is inspired by classic JRPGs of the 90s, and will include a variety of sub games (fishing, crafting, puzzles, etc.). Also, the intention is to have pure turn-based combat so that combat isn't just a flurry of text.
In any event, in researching MUDs, I'm finding some tangential information on this medium being one of the few that can be adequately accessible to the visually impaired and so I want to explore this. From what I've read, a large part of the accessibility comes from players using text readers. However, I'm wondering if there's a way I can take this accessibility to the next level to make the game more immersive.
For this, I'm looking for feedback from the community. Unfortunately, I expect my own experience only provides me with limited insight, so I wanted to reach out to the community to get a better idea of features that could/should be integrated into the game to make it more...well...fun for the visually impaired. I'd appreciate any input anyone has. Thanks!
In any event, in researching MUDs, I'm finding some tangential information on this medium being one of the few that can be adequately accessible to the visually impaired and so I want to explore this. From what I've read, a large part of the accessibility comes from players using text readers. However, I'm wondering if there's a way I can take this accessibility to the next level to make the game more immersive.
For this, I'm looking for feedback from the community. Unfortunately, I expect my own experience only provides me with limited insight, so I wanted to reach out to the community to get a better idea of features that could/should be integrated into the game to make it more...well...fun for the visually impaired. I'd appreciate any input anyone has. Thanks!
fastfinge 5 points 5y ago
See Alter Aeon for some inspiration. If you get $1 it's used text matching to add sound, lots and lots of useful keyboard shortcuts, and more, to what is still an entirely text based game.
Tensoon_the_kandra 2 points 5y ago
I agree with this. Check out Alter Aeon. As far as MUD's that only use text goes, this game makes the best use of sound to augment the text.
Just make sure you get the client for visually impaired folk. You can get it from their website, just google Alter Aeon, you will find it.
Just make sure you get the client for visually impaired folk. You can get it from their website, just google Alter Aeon, you will find it.
rkingett 1 points 5y ago
I would say have a lot of keyboard shortcuts and sounds to go with the text. Ambiant sounds help with environments as well...
$1
I would also post in the developers room of the audio games forum. Developers would have interesting ideas!
Not sure if spoken sound files can be included in the MUD but that would be very unique and never done before.
But for me... I have a lot of trouble building a mental map of places im Muds. I get lost very easily. Not to mention... in more cases than not, I have ran into situations where I constantly need to keep a notepad open of spellings and commands so I can just copy and paste. If these could be shorened or bound to a macro or something that would be good.
Also, fast travel. Make Fast travel a thing.
$1
I would also post in the developers room of the audio games forum. Developers would have interesting ideas!
Not sure if spoken sound files can be included in the MUD but that would be very unique and never done before.
But for me... I have a lot of trouble building a mental map of places im Muds. I get lost very easily. Not to mention... in more cases than not, I have ran into situations where I constantly need to keep a notepad open of spellings and commands so I can just copy and paste. If these could be shorened or bound to a macro or something that would be good.
Also, fast travel. Make Fast travel a thing.
knellerwashere [OP] 1 points 5y ago
I wanted to address your comments on spatial awareness. I have a different approach to how I want to deal with the main city. A lot of muds take a very Cartesian approach and have tons of streets and whatnot that aren't terribly meaningful. My intention is to split the main city into districts based on function and exits will show the connected districts and services provided in the current district (or something similar). I expect this would reduce the number of "rooms" in a city from the hundreds to maybe dozens (including all the shops and whatnot) and be easier to keep track of mentally. Any thoughts on that?
And yeah, definitely fast travel.
And yeah, definitely fast travel.
rkingett 1 points 5y ago
That seams like a great idea! I always wondered... maybe its because I am a new mud player, but why doesen't any of the muds say things like...
North... to the Laccromose cave...
East... to Bram's shop...
instead of just...
exits. North, east.
North... to the Laccromose cave...
East... to Bram's shop...
instead of just...
exits. North, east.
knellerwashere [OP] 1 points 5y ago
I have a couple theories on this.
My first theory on that is that most exits aren't to intrinsically significant places. So, in most cases, it's north, to more of the same. I'm dabbling with a MUD now where I'm basically leveling in a forest with a couple dozen rooms, virtually identical, just to look for mobs.
My second theory is that a lot of MUDs seem to think that more is more. More classes, more races, more skills, and more rooms. Many of them boast of the thousands of rooms that they have, though not really saying that most of them are vanilla.
I'm mostly focused on game mechanics at the moment, but I'm always keeping in mind that I have to convey all this information while trying to avoid bombarding people with text (which would then have to be narrated). This includes room descriptions.
My first theory on that is that most exits aren't to intrinsically significant places. So, in most cases, it's north, to more of the same. I'm dabbling with a MUD now where I'm basically leveling in a forest with a couple dozen rooms, virtually identical, just to look for mobs.
My second theory is that a lot of MUDs seem to think that more is more. More classes, more races, more skills, and more rooms. Many of them boast of the thousands of rooms that they have, though not really saying that most of them are vanilla.
I'm mostly focused on game mechanics at the moment, but I'm always keeping in mind that I have to convey all this information while trying to avoid bombarding people with text (which would then have to be narrated). This includes room descriptions.
rkingett 1 points 5y ago
Maybe it's because I am a noob or because I just simply get slightly intimidated by a MUD that size, but the bigger the MUD is, the more excuses I find not to play it. Plus, I am busy as it is so don't want to spend years on a MUD the size of 3 countries combined.
BUT other players will though, so how do you strike that balance?
While not MUDS... the $1 is good. It's all on 1 page and you can just skip to the outcome. I know MUDS are different but still. That's an idea.
BUT other players will though, so how do you strike that balance?
While not MUDS... the $1 is good. It's all on 1 page and you can just skip to the outcome. I know MUDS are different but still. That's an idea.
bradley22 1 points 5y ago
I think sounds for everything would be amazing. As others have said, look at http://www.blindsoftware.com/ for some help with your mud/soundpack.
Fange_Strellow 1 points 5y ago
For some people, games could be much more accessible to people with visual impairments if text elements were verbally narated. Menus, command prompts, dialogue, make it audible!
Another idea I've thought about is if game designers could watch TV shows and movies with Audio Description turned on and see if that could offer any inspiration for videogame descriptive narration. I don't know how one could actually do this, but maybe some inspiration would be found if AD was experienced by more developers. Just a thought!
Another idea I've thought about is if game designers could watch TV shows and movies with Audio Description turned on and see if that could offer any inspiration for videogame descriptive narration. I don't know how one could actually do this, but maybe some inspiration would be found if AD was experienced by more developers. Just a thought!
knellerwashere [OP] 1 points 5y ago
By the way, is this a thing regular TVs are set for? I mean closed-captioning is easy enough, but I've never seen an audio description setting on a TV. In short, how do I experience this?
Fange_Strellow 1 points 5y ago
It’s a special feature not found with all media. On Netflix and movies it can be found with audio and subtitles setting. It may be on some tv channels but you need to switch to SAP adio mode.
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