The case in summary: • Marcus Pedersen (23), who is blind, encourages game developers to take into account blind and visually impaired players.• He believes that sound, speech and vibrations in game consoles are important feedback for those who play.• There are no formal requirements for the universal design of games.• Marcus works with Tvibit in Tromsø to look at the availability of games and find out how blind people can play the same games as others.• Terje André Olsen, leader of the Norwegian Federation of the Blind, emphasizes the importance that blind people can play the same games to be part of the social environment.• Jan Beniamin Kwiek from the Directorate of Digitalisation believes that a lack of accessibility in games can lead to digital exclusion. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – There are different feedbacks. The most important are sound, speech and vibrations in the console. That’s what Marcus Pedersen (23), who lives in Tromsø, says. He is blind and loves to game. His favorite game is “The Last of Us”. In the game, he must have good strategies and solve problems. And get rid of enemies. But in order to be able to play, those who have developed the game must facilitate it. One of them is sounds. Or “pling”, as Marcus calls it: – There are little pinging sounds. It’s a sign that it’s something I can do something about. A door in the way, or something I can pick up, says Marcus and adds: – Speech is also important, so that we can understand what is happening: The games console can also vibrate. It happens when they receive a verbal message, at the same time as something happens that the player needs to know about. This way he can play some of the same games as those watching. But these aids are optional to enter. Marcus has one wish Marcus believes that accessibility is important, because it is about being included. He boasts about the gaming environment in the city. Photo: Rebekka Ellingsen / news He now collaborates with Tvibit, an offer for young people in Tromsø. They have looked at how accessible some games actually are. They have also helped Marcus get the right equipment, such as PlayStation and consoles. The aim is to find out how Marcus, and others who cannot see, can play the same games as those who can. VIDEO: It’s not just in Tromsø where they test out gaming for the visually impaired. In Møre og Romsdal, they have started a new project: The video is about the Association for the Blind in Møre og Romsdal, which is now working on a new and unique project. The 23-year-old has one wish: That those who develop games are more concerned with accessibility. So that everyone can take out the console and play the same games. No formal requirements for universal design Jan Beniamin Kwiek is an adviser in the Uu-tilsynet, the Norwegian authority for universal design of ICT. He believes that gaming is an important social arena for young people. If they cannot participate, it can lead to digital exclusion. It can have consequences for both relationships with friends and free time, according to him. Kwiek says that there are no formal requirements for the universal design of games. – This is often primarily due to attitudes, but also technical challenges and a lack of innovation. But fortunately there are some games that have taken this into account. “Fortnite” is one of the games with more accessibility features, according to Kwiek. – This shows that those who are able to think about this from the start do better than their competitors. It also shows the power of universal design in the face of innovation. “Last of Us Part II,” Marcus’ favorite game, has won awards for being so accessible. Kwiek believes there is a particular reason for that: That the developers have collaborated with accessibility experts and users with functional impairments. And that work was in mind from the start, according to him. Marcus fears that he is losing motivation Marcus follows videos of other blind people playing games. He says there are some companies, and games, that are available for him to play. But that doesn’t apply to everyone. – If the game is not available enough, then I can get stuck and lose motivation to play. Published 08.11.2024, at 21.53
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Marcus (23) encourages more inclusive game development for the blind – news Troms and Finnmark
