Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How to handle a blind character in a video game. (self.Blind)
submitted by Syrinth
Hello everyone, I hope this is ok for me to post this. I'm working on a video game similar in nature to stardew valley with a dash of strategic combat thrown in. In this game, I want one of the eligible characters, all of which go into combat, to be blind. Her blindness is not a part of her plot, I'm just trying to add diversity in-game across various spectrums.
My question, really, is would it be inappropriate for me to ignore her blindness mechanically? Obviously it would come up occasionally in dialogue, although I can't imagine it being a recurring thing.
My first instinct is to establish that she's blind, and then have her act like any other character in the tactical combat section, because she's trained and knows how to handle herself. I also kind of envision her having a seeing-eye bird as a side note, which could, if needed, act as a marker for where to attack in her animation but I don't think it's super important.
Thank you very much for your thoughts and time.
My question, really, is would it be inappropriate for me to ignore her blindness mechanically? Obviously it would come up occasionally in dialogue, although I can't imagine it being a recurring thing.
My first instinct is to establish that she's blind, and then have her act like any other character in the tactical combat section, because she's trained and knows how to handle herself. I also kind of envision her having a seeing-eye bird as a side note, which could, if needed, act as a marker for where to attack in her animation but I don't think it's super important.
Thank you very much for your thoughts and time.
chifrij0 3 points 2y ago
Imho, no it isn't inappropriate, try checking out Rogue Legacy, it innovated on characters with conditions and that makes them fun to play with
LadyAlleta 2 points 2y ago
You don't have to make them totally without sight. You could have them able to see figures but not recognize who they are. The bird being a tip off could be fun.
But honestly there is a big sterotype that blind people have magic/superpowers from going blind that is a big issue. If your character is blind, there should be immense visual restrictions for the gamer too. Navigation with little visual help, and combat that is mostly tactile. If they use a style that the opponent attacks and the character reacts that would be best I think. Like reactionary martial arts.
Please don't make them have powers or magic that makes them "see"
But honestly there is a big sterotype that blind people have magic/superpowers from going blind that is a big issue. If your character is blind, there should be immense visual restrictions for the gamer too. Navigation with little visual help, and combat that is mostly tactile. If they use a style that the opponent attacks and the character reacts that would be best I think. Like reactionary martial arts.
Please don't make them have powers or magic that makes them "see"
Syrinth [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yeah, I want to avoid that, which is why I asked. My 'concern' with mechanically ignoring her blindness would be falling into that stereotype.
The character is not the protagonist. It's a top-down video game where combat is done on a square battlefield that the player has complete vision of. There is no point in time where you are playing from her unique perspective. She is just another unit that you move on the battlefield.
The character is not the protagonist. It's a top-down video game where combat is done on a square battlefield that the player has complete vision of. There is no point in time where you are playing from her unique perspective. She is just another unit that you move on the battlefield.
SightlessKombat 1 points 2y ago
As an accessibility consultant, this sounds like a game that could definitely be made accessible to gamers without sight like myself.
As to your point on representation, I understand you're going for a fantasy element, but part of representation is making sure that gamers (including those who can see themselves in your character(s)) are able to play the game in the first place, which I'd be happy to assist with if you're interested.
Though others have said "give her bad sight" or similar, you could also explore the ideas of her having adapted to having no sight, so maybe being able to hear enemies further away/hit targets further away due to knowing their rough positions earlier (though of course that's just a quick idea I've had without having access to the game itself).
I don't post here often, but feel free to PM me if you feel I could be of assistance and best of luck with the project.
As to your point on representation, I understand you're going for a fantasy element, but part of representation is making sure that gamers (including those who can see themselves in your character(s)) are able to play the game in the first place, which I'd be happy to assist with if you're interested.
Though others have said "give her bad sight" or similar, you could also explore the ideas of her having adapted to having no sight, so maybe being able to hear enemies further away/hit targets further away due to knowing their rough positions earlier (though of course that's just a quick idea I've had without having access to the game itself).
I don't post here often, but feel free to PM me if you feel I could be of assistance and best of luck with the project.
AchooCashew 2 points 2y ago
I like the quirk of having the bird mark where to attack. :)
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Pragmatically speaking this would be a really bad idea. This is why blind people are exempt totally from combat and war. If you are legally blind you’re not eligible to serve. Not in any very combat heavy way maybe a support role be in war zone doing nonfighting work but I don’t think this is possible. I think all of us are exempt from the draft. Maybe a side character support to a wior a wife. Or something? Just trying to be pragmatic here.
LaurenRossy1 1 points 2y ago
That is totally cool I really like the idea I think that it would be really interesting to see blind characters in video-games more commonly than we are used to because it is a nice way of showing it
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
Would you be able to make this game accessible to the blind? If so; that would be cool, if not; I understand.
I'd not care either way, it's your game; make it how you want to make it :)
I'd not care either way, it's your game; make it how you want to make it :)
Syrinth [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Accessibility is absolutely something I want to figure out, although I'm unsure of what steps I'd need to take do do that. I do need to get the game playable first though XD
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
That would help :P
You might want to ask on audiogames.net about accessibility tips.
You might want to ask on audiogames.net about accessibility tips.
Syrinth [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks :)
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
No problem.
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 2y ago
I'll say what other people have said. Give her bad sight, which is more common than none at all (I have none at all, I'm rare), and don't give her magic powers that basically make it irrelevant. Make her deal with it, like people actually have to.
That being the case how she's going to be an effective fighter I have no idea! I'm not sure I'd want to walk into a dungeon full of dangerous creatures armed only with a sword and a bad attitude.
That being the case how she's going to be an effective fighter I have no idea! I'm not sure I'd want to walk into a dungeon full of dangerous creatures armed only with a sword and a bad attitude.
Syrinth [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Copied from my previous reply:
Yeah, I want to avoid that, which is why I asked. My 'concern' with mechanically ignoring her blindness would be falling into that stereotype.
The character is not the protagonist. It's a top-down video game where combat is done on a square battlefield that the player has complete vision of. There is no point in time where you are playing from her unique perspective. She is just another unit that you move on the battlefield.
Yeah, I want to avoid that, which is why I asked. My 'concern' with mechanically ignoring her blindness would be falling into that stereotype.
The character is not the protagonist. It's a top-down video game where combat is done on a square battlefield that the player has complete vision of. There is no point in time where you are playing from her unique perspective. She is just another unit that you move on the battlefield.
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 2y ago
One thing that might help is that I do judo, at least when there is no virus. Judo is just formalised japanese grappling and it's very doable for people with bad sight. So, if she's going to fight people, make her an expert in jiu-jitsu, or something. Look up Jordan Mouton.
That then leads on to the issues of waif-fu, or tiny women throwing around massive guys because somehow technique makes it possible (it doesn't), but if you can get away with it in action movies you can probably get away with it in a game!
Also, give her a staff or a cane or something.
That then leads on to the issues of waif-fu, or tiny women throwing around massive guys because somehow technique makes it possible (it doesn't), but if you can get away with it in action movies you can probably get away with it in a game!
Also, give her a staff or a cane or something.
Syrinth [OP] 1 points 2y ago
The plan was making her a lancer. Combat is a simple class-based style and there's only 8 classes, four physical, four magical.
I could switch her to being a magical class, but for some reason, she just feels more like a fighter to me.
I could switch her to being a magical class, but for some reason, she just feels more like a fighter to me.
tasareinspace 1 points 2y ago
that sounds really cool!
There was a D+D Character called Shakaste in a show called Critical Role and he also had a 'seeing eye bird' and I always thought that was WAY underused and would have been very cool.
There was a D+D Character called Shakaste in a show called Critical Role and he also had a 'seeing eye bird' and I always thought that was WAY underused and would have been very cool.
Syrinth [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Oh? Neat, I'm aware of Critical Role in my periphery but never watched! Thanks :)
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