Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Looking for feedback from colour blind and vision impaired gamers (self.Blind)
submitted by -Simflare
Hi everyone! I am making a puzzle video game that is colour based, and I want to make it more accessible for people that are colour blind and those that are vision impaired. I shared about this in a gaming group, but someone suggested I should post here, I hope this is the right community to ask this sort of question.
To help make the puzzles clearer, I am trialling an alternate mode that is not colour based, instead using shapes that are black and white and stand out strongly against the background (I hope). Example images are at the following link of a quick graphics test: $1
The first image (or it should be first) shows the typical colour version. It's a puzzle game where you push the correct colour block onto the correct colour target. The red block goes on the red cross, etc. The round block above the player is pushable, bottom left corner of the center area, but it has no goal, it is simply an obstacle.
In the colour blind version, I am trialling black and white symbols, as demonstrated in the images, including 2 different versions where the player character is also black and white. Not being colour blind myself, I have no idea if this is helpful in helping you determine which shape block goes onto which shaped target, or if the black and white player is helpful or not, so looking for some fresh insights.
Given the round block above the player has a different purpose to the others, I gave it a different shape and slightly darker colour, though I am not sure how much colour blindness affects seeing shades of colour and if this communicates well.
I am also aware that there are different types of colour blindness, so hoping for a variety of input. I have one friend who is colour blind, and in fact he is able to play the colour version quite easily, so any feedback about whether you find the black and white version necessary or not would also be helpful, and how easily you can see the player in colour and in black and white, and if either is preferred (particularly if you are a colour blind player).
If anyone has feedback on how easily they can distinguish between the different black and white blocks and targets, it would be appreciated. I would like as many people as possible to have the opportunity to play.
If you would prefer to private message me, that is totally fine.
Thank your for any help.
To help make the puzzles clearer, I am trialling an alternate mode that is not colour based, instead using shapes that are black and white and stand out strongly against the background (I hope). Example images are at the following link of a quick graphics test: $1
The first image (or it should be first) shows the typical colour version. It's a puzzle game where you push the correct colour block onto the correct colour target. The red block goes on the red cross, etc. The round block above the player is pushable, bottom left corner of the center area, but it has no goal, it is simply an obstacle.
In the colour blind version, I am trialling black and white symbols, as demonstrated in the images, including 2 different versions where the player character is also black and white. Not being colour blind myself, I have no idea if this is helpful in helping you determine which shape block goes onto which shaped target, or if the black and white player is helpful or not, so looking for some fresh insights.
Given the round block above the player has a different purpose to the others, I gave it a different shape and slightly darker colour, though I am not sure how much colour blindness affects seeing shades of colour and if this communicates well.
I am also aware that there are different types of colour blindness, so hoping for a variety of input. I have one friend who is colour blind, and in fact he is able to play the colour version quite easily, so any feedback about whether you find the black and white version necessary or not would also be helpful, and how easily you can see the player in colour and in black and white, and if either is preferred (particularly if you are a colour blind player).
If anyone has feedback on how easily they can distinguish between the different black and white blocks and targets, it would be appreciated. I would like as many people as possible to have the opportunity to play.
If you would prefer to private message me, that is totally fine.
Thank your for any help.
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
And what of those of us who are completely and totally blind. Maybe you can make a mode where it’s sound based and each color has a sound or something like that? It can be a toggle and can be added on the color one?
-Simflare [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I have to admit now my mind can't stop trying to think of a way, I'll see what I can think of.
CloudyBeep 1 points 2y ago
I'd be happy to test and/or provide ideas.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Nice that would be good! And no problem. And I am glad you’re trying.
-Simflare [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks for your kind words and suggestions :)
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
No problem. Have fun with it.
-Simflare [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks for your input. In all honesty I would be interested to try something for people who were blind, but my mind has a hard time wrapping around how I would communicate this sort of puzzle without visual aides - and I am a one man team. The puzzles are a grid, a series of spaces, some of which you can move into, and some which you cannot. And there are objects that can be pushed, and walls that cannot be pushed. And specific places of where to push the objects, to get the right colour into the right place.
Sound based is an interesting idea, I will have a think if there is some way I can achieve it, but it will likely involve a totally new way of thinking for me and I am not sure how I can achieve it, but willing to certainly look at the possibilities. Even if it is something that gets added later as an update.
The only possibility I can think of is that each grid space in the puzzle has a name or ID, eg, Grid space A1, Grid space A2, etc. But a person may not want to hear the entire puzzle every time, so then I would have to think of a way for them to choose to hear only the information they want, and still communicate the possible paths they can move. A tricky business.
There are situations where, you may have two blocks next to you, of two different colours, or rather, a red block might be next to you, and then a green block next to that. You cannot push both at the same time, and you would somehow have to communicate audibly that you need to move around the red block to get to the green. Quite a complex situation.
Sound based is an interesting idea, I will have a think if there is some way I can achieve it, but it will likely involve a totally new way of thinking for me and I am not sure how I can achieve it, but willing to certainly look at the possibilities. Even if it is something that gets added later as an update.
The only possibility I can think of is that each grid space in the puzzle has a name or ID, eg, Grid space A1, Grid space A2, etc. But a person may not want to hear the entire puzzle every time, so then I would have to think of a way for them to choose to hear only the information they want, and still communicate the possible paths they can move. A tricky business.
There are situations where, you may have two blocks next to you, of two different colours, or rather, a red block might be next to you, and then a green block next to that. You cannot push both at the same time, and you would somehow have to communicate audibly that you need to move around the red block to get to the green. Quite a complex situation.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Sounds interesting for sure.....I think there are some similar games out there so it may be good to investigate. But yeah, I think it’d be cool to make it not only accessible to low vision but those who are completely blind too as well.
CloudyBeep 2 points 2y ago
A version that is entirely black and white will be accessible to any colorblind person as those colors are maximally contrastive, i.e. they are still discernible in grayscale and essentially the presence or absence of light.
Consider whether you could make one version that would be accessible to colorblind people that would also be visually aesthetic for non-colorblind people.
Consider whether you could make one version that would be accessible to colorblind people that would also be visually aesthetic for non-colorblind people.
-Simflare [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Some interesting things to think on, thanks :)
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