Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Which games do you play? (self.Blind)
submitted by Aplosion
Hi, I'm not blind or visually impaired, just curious (and working on an assignment for my class on disability and education).
First of all, given the small number of accessible games out there, do you play games regularly? If so, which ones? Is the accessibilty built in, or do you have to bring your own?
I was able to find 64oz games' accessibility conversion kits storefront ($1), but their selection seems a little slim, and they don't seem to offer custom printing, or any way to request games. Are there custom printing services that can fill in the gaps? I could only find ADA compliance websites.
I've also seen some talk of modifying games with texturing or drilling to make the pieces texturally different. One guy used a 3D pen on a rubik's cube, which ironically is a build video with no commentary or captions... ($1). Are modifications like this common?
My first thought for games blind people might play was visual novels, using screen readers. How compatible do visual novels tend to be with that software?
Thanks so much!!
Oh, and let me know if this post works well with screen readers. Is there anything special I should do with links, for example?
First of all, given the small number of accessible games out there, do you play games regularly? If so, which ones? Is the accessibilty built in, or do you have to bring your own?
I was able to find 64oz games' accessibility conversion kits storefront ($1), but their selection seems a little slim, and they don't seem to offer custom printing, or any way to request games. Are there custom printing services that can fill in the gaps? I could only find ADA compliance websites.
I've also seen some talk of modifying games with texturing or drilling to make the pieces texturally different. One guy used a 3D pen on a rubik's cube, which ironically is a build video with no commentary or captions... ($1). Are modifications like this common?
My first thought for games blind people might play was visual novels, using screen readers. How compatible do visual novels tend to be with that software?
Thanks so much!!
Oh, and let me know if this post works well with screen readers. Is there anything special I should do with links, for example?
FeelingCeiling 4 points 3y ago
I love fighting games. Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, CVS, Tekken, all of those. I’m also well into retro gaming. You can read a detailed article on how I play video games here https://houseoffireseed.ml/guides/A%20guide%20to%20playing%20video%20games%20without%20sight.html
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thank you :) This is a great source.
Do you know if the Switch's HD rumble feature could be hacked to run like a CRT, and "render" the screen with touch? I'd love to see that!
Do you know if the Switch's HD rumble feature could be hacked to run like a CRT, and "render" the screen with touch? I'd love to see that!
FeelingCeiling 2 points 3y ago
I don’t own a Nintendo Switch; I’m a GameCube/Wii type of guy.
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Oh, okay. Both are pretty good consoles.
Remy_C 2 points 3y ago
Late to the party, but I play anything with a compelling narrative. point and click style, open world RPG, (though haven't much time for those) treditional RPG, shooter. IF the story's interesting, I'll play it. My biggest issues are navigating around 3d environments without getting lost, which can be helped with a detailed map, and Reading in-game text. I CAN read, but I do it slowly. Especially in games with a lot of text entries, I find I have to find alternate solutions to read. This may include finding document wikkis on the internet, trying to use an OCR app on my phone to capture a block of text, or, most recently, playing on my PC and using NVDA'S OCR feature to read what's on the screen. All of these come with challenges, pros and cons of there own and none of them are perfect. The third seems to be the best method, as long as the text is of decent printed quality that the screen reader can read it.
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Oh, awesome thank you for sharing. I have full sight and I still get lost in open-world games too.
My favorite game with a deep story is Majora's Mask, which also runs well on pretty much all N64 emulators. The map is small and well-labeled, so I basically never got lost.
What are your favorite games?
OCR seems to be a pretty popular option, are there any games that work really well or really poorly for it? For example, does Persona 5's weird font styling mess with OCR?
My favorite game with a deep story is Majora's Mask, which also runs well on pretty much all N64 emulators. The map is small and well-labeled, so I basically never got lost.
What are your favorite games?
OCR seems to be a pretty popular option, are there any games that work really well or really poorly for it? For example, does Persona 5's weird font styling mess with OCR?
Remy_C 1 points 3y ago
I've actually never played Majora's Mask, though I feel like I know enough about it that I probably don't need to. I generally try to avoid open world games as much as possible because they are just too long. That said, Nier Automata was a phonominal experience, even though there's lots of the game which isn't voice acted, which was really disappointing. Still, the gameplay, music and story kept me going. I played it before I found out about using remote play from my PS4 to my PC and using NVDA OCR. I should go through it again and see how well the OCR works for that one. I also own the Witcher 3 which I've dreaded to play because of how long it is, even though I love that series so much. I accidentally got into Horizon, Zero Dawn for PS4. That one is amazing, both in presentation and gameplay. Story seemps pretty good too so far. I have a hard time with that one due to all the environments, trees, bushes, etc. It's hard for me to navigate. I'm enjoying it though.
As far as favorite games go, Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Xenogears and Xenosaga, Hellblade, Life is strange and a few others are mine. Plus the Neir games. I'm sure there are others.
OCR works pretty well for things like text boxes, and things like descriptions and lore entries in games. It will definetly depend on the contrast and font. For instance, I just played Tales of Vesperia on the PS4 and that one was really good for OCR. Other games have a harder time. I actually thought Persona 5 had regular font on a black background. If so OCR SHOULD work quite well" I haven't tested it though. While I have enjoyed the first 4 Persona games, I find the social element makes the games drag on a bit. I think that's more a me and time management problem than one with the game itself.
As far as favorite games go, Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Xenogears and Xenosaga, Hellblade, Life is strange and a few others are mine. Plus the Neir games. I'm sure there are others.
OCR works pretty well for things like text boxes, and things like descriptions and lore entries in games. It will definetly depend on the contrast and font. For instance, I just played Tales of Vesperia on the PS4 and that one was really good for OCR. Other games have a harder time. I actually thought Persona 5 had regular font on a black background. If so OCR SHOULD work quite well" I haven't tested it though. While I have enjoyed the first 4 Persona games, I find the social element makes the games drag on a bit. I think that's more a me and time management problem than one with the game itself.
CosmicBunny97 2 points 3y ago
I don’t really play a lot of games of any kind, and it’s definitely something I want to get into. In regards to board games, I either magnify using my phone or ask someone to help. I like to play D&D, it’s normally just easier for someone to read out my dice rolls and the books and character sheets I have on my iPad. I know I can use my phone for the dice rolls too but I don’t know the Siri commands. As for video games, as much as like triple A games they’re normally hard to play for me. I like the stories but for some reason they’re rather mentally exhausting. I don’t have quick reaction times. I like Sims and other casual games, and definitely want to get into RPGs like Fire Emblem.
Just for context, I am healing from eye surgery and can’t see screens (I can see some of my surroundings but not much), this will hopefully be temporary. Prior to the surgery, I would be considered low vision. I’m also completely blind in my left eye.
Just for context, I am healing from eye surgery and can’t see screens (I can see some of my surroundings but not much), this will hopefully be temporary. Prior to the surgery, I would be considered low vision. I’m also completely blind in my left eye.
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thanks for the information. Another commenter in this thread linked 3D printed dice that have braille on them. I want a set of them because they honestly just look so cool.
That all sounds pretty frustrating! I wish I could help, but the only way I can think of doing that is adding a screen reader mode to emulators, and I'm not a programmer.
I hope your eye surgery goes well, and best of luck getting into fire emblem. Your best bet is running it on an emulator, since those let you pause freeze the screen at any time, as well as allowing save states to make certain difficult sections more forgiving. Dolphin (Gamecube and Wii emulator) and Citra (3DS emulator) seem to do their jobs pretty well, and there's too many NES and GBA emulators to count.
That all sounds pretty frustrating! I wish I could help, but the only way I can think of doing that is adding a screen reader mode to emulators, and I'm not a programmer.
I hope your eye surgery goes well, and best of luck getting into fire emblem. Your best bet is running it on an emulator, since those let you pause freeze the screen at any time, as well as allowing save states to make certain difficult sections more forgiving. Dolphin (Gamecube and Wii emulator) and Citra (3DS emulator) seem to do their jobs pretty well, and there's too many NES and GBA emulators to count.
CosmicBunny97 2 points 3y ago
Oh I saw the comment about Braille dice! Sadly I don’t know Braille but they’re awesome!
And thanks for the suggestion! I played Birthright a little bit, but the amount of reading on a small screen was kinda exhausting. Apparently the Fates series wasn’t good. I’ll probably buy Three Houses, and see if I can get Awakening on an emulator :3
And thanks for the suggestion! I played Birthright a little bit, but the amount of reading on a small screen was kinda exhausting. Apparently the Fates series wasn’t good. I’ll probably buy Three Houses, and see if I can get Awakening on an emulator :3
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Awesome! Good luck :)
Awakening seems to run well on Citra, but is pretty demanding on hardware. I've had fun with it, but never got around to finishing it.
Awakening seems to run well on Citra, but is pretty demanding on hardware. I've had fun with it, but never got around to finishing it.
CosmicBunny97 1 points 3y ago
What did you use to play it?
Tsuchikuzurezawa 2 points 3y ago
VR chat or VR games in general. One of the few games where I don't need to do much but can meet and talk with many people.
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Oh that does sound like fun! Do you use a VR helmet, or does it work without?
Tsuchikuzurezawa 2 points 3y ago
I have a VR headset, yes. I spend almost all my time in VR. Not really so sure why myself, but it's just fun. I can also see way better with it because I can enhance what I see.
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Oh, that's awesome! I'm glad the technology is letting people do things they couldn't otherwise.
Throwaway1588442 2 points 3y ago
I've got a  Rubiks cube with varying numbers of holes drilled for each colour
The hoster games and choice of games apps are accessible
The hoster games and choice of games apps are accessible
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Oh, thank you!
I haven't heard of either company, thanks for pointing those out. I couldn't find hoster games with a google search, what is that?
Thanks so much
I haven't heard of either company, thanks for pointing those out. I couldn't find hoster games with a google search, what is that?
Thanks so much
OliverKennett 2 points 3y ago
I run games of dungeons and dragons. There is a non profit called dots rpg who are working to make table top rpg gaming more accessible. There is a board game called nictiphobia which is a mainstream game designed where every player is blind and is tactile. There are audio games too, a blind legend springs to mind ... I'm just playing an endless runner called fear on ios. I also play some mainstream x box games such as mk 11, gears 5 and forza motorsport 7 with varying amounts of success. There are players such as a guy who goes under the sudo name sightlesskombat who kicks ass and has far more patients and tenacity when it comes to working out ways of playing mainstream games. There are also things like chess, jenga, poker with braille cards... There is a lot out there.
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Awesome, thank you! There's a ton of great stuff in this comment, I'm going to have to spend a bit of time looking everything up.
I run dungeons and dragons, too. I guess I usually use theater of the mind style, so it's good to know that my style is pretty accessible :) Those dots dice also just look really cool, I guess I need to track down a 3D printer and get myself some!
Wow, sightlesskombat is really cool. Sighted gamers like to complain about QTEs, so it's really cool that they turned them into something that can add to the experience instead of subtract from it.
Do you mind if I ask how you play the video games you listed? For example, in mk 11, do moves have unique enough audio queues that you can memorize them? I saw people playing punchout blindfolded by memorizing audio queues.
Thanks again, you've thrown me a bunch of great resources to look into
I run dungeons and dragons, too. I guess I usually use theater of the mind style, so it's good to know that my style is pretty accessible :) Those dots dice also just look really cool, I guess I need to track down a 3D printer and get myself some!
Wow, sightlesskombat is really cool. Sighted gamers like to complain about QTEs, so it's really cool that they turned them into something that can add to the experience instead of subtract from it.
Do you mind if I ask how you play the video games you listed? For example, in mk 11, do moves have unique enough audio queues that you can memorize them? I saw people playing punchout blindfolded by memorizing audio queues.
Thanks again, you've thrown me a bunch of great resources to look into
OliverKennett 2 points 3y ago
Gaming in all forms is something I've only just gotten in to over the last couple of years but there are resources out there once you find the trail. Some very committed people making it much better for us part timeers.
MK 11, that's exactly right. Yc you can use the stereo sound stage to know where your character is, and dropped items make sounds. I'm still learning myself but there are a few examples out there of people playing and talking about how they do it. ,
Another thing I've set up is ocr on my mac and then piped the feed from my x-box through it making a rudimentary screen reader. It's hit and miss and the output is as interactible as a photo, but it can help to fill in story or describe menu trees at a pinch but some games such as forza horizon 4, sea of thieves and gears 5 actually have text to speach on menus which is amazing. It's a step forward and allows us to change settings, increase automation etc. There are rumblings that microsoft flight simulator will be completely accessible, both menu and game play itself which is exciting. Sound design has come on leaps and bounds and sometimes that's enough to make a game both playable and enjoyable.
Sorry, another information dump...
MK 11, that's exactly right. Yc you can use the stereo sound stage to know where your character is, and dropped items make sounds. I'm still learning myself but there are a few examples out there of people playing and talking about how they do it. ,
Another thing I've set up is ocr on my mac and then piped the feed from my x-box through it making a rudimentary screen reader. It's hit and miss and the output is as interactible as a photo, but it can help to fill in story or describe menu trees at a pinch but some games such as forza horizon 4, sea of thieves and gears 5 actually have text to speach on menus which is amazing. It's a step forward and allows us to change settings, increase automation etc. There are rumblings that microsoft flight simulator will be completely accessible, both menu and game play itself which is exciting. Sound design has come on leaps and bounds and sometimes that's enough to make a game both playable and enjoyable.
Sorry, another information dump...
Throwaway1588442 1 points 3y ago
Pretty sure it's the same company but boaster games normally have volunteer authors
Aplosion [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Oh, awesome thank you
Throwaway1588442 2 points 3y ago
It's Hosted games sorry
BlueRock956 1 points 3y ago
Hi, regarding 64 OZ Games, I recommend you reach out to them. They may have a larger sellection.
Aplosion [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I don't know if the website is laid out the way it is for blind/VIP customers to navigate more easily, but I can't find a complete list of the games they offer anywhere on the website.
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