GDC 2006 Tutorial
International Game Developers Association
Table of contents |
[edit] Introduction
Game Not Over: Expanding the Market through Accessible Games (GDC 2006 Link)
[edit] Time/Place/ETC
- Date/Time: Monday (March 20, 2006) 10:00am — 6:00am
- Track: IGDA
- Format: Full-Day Tutorial
- Experience Level: All
- GDC Tutorial 2006 Schedule
- GDC Tutorial 2006 Speakers
- GDC Tutorial 2006 Comments
[edit] Abstract
Computer and video games have become a mainstream form of media for not only entertainment purposes but also for education, training, and other areas. Games undoubtedly play an important part in our culture and can help add to our quality of life. As a quality of life issue, mainstream game accessibility has become an important selling point. Accessible game interfaces will result in reaching many more gamers – including gamers with disabilities as well as creating games that can be playable on devices with limited means of input/output (e.g., PDAs, mobile phones). Further, all gamers will benefit from a more flexible interface and also get new experiences when playing the game using unconventional interfaces.
Topics include why game accessibility matters, academic and legal issues with regard to accessibility, demonstrations and discussions about why disabled gamers can't play the majority of the mainstream games on the market, and what kinds of software, middleware, and hardware solutions have been created to date. Additionally a number of tips and tricks will be discussed for developers to implement and get started on making sure that their titles are as accessible as possible.
The day will be a highly interactive one for audience members. Lively “audience participation” demonstrations of issues that gamers with disabilities face are planned, as well a “games for the disabled” arcade that will give tutorial participants a chance to play games designed for the deaf, for the blind, and for the cognitively and mobility impaired. Additionally there will be several “breakout session” rotations during the day so that participants can learn more about specific disability types and discuss potential accessibility problems in their own games and possible solutions.
[edit] Intended audience
Designers, programmers and publishers interested in new game play and interface design possibilities, game accessibility techniques, and increasing accessibility for consumers and potential consumers
[edit] Idea takeaway
Game developers gather to learn about the issues that gamers with disabilities face, specific disability types, and potential accessibility problems in their own games and possible solutions.
