[games_access] SIG Meetings Starting Soon

Thu Aug 31 17:54:41 EDT 2006

Hi,

Sorry but no, I don't think this is a good idea for SIG communication - 
mainly from the point of view of accessibility. Basically what you suggest 
is using Second Life as an Instant Messenger application - if that is the 
case then, well, there is more accessible and suitable software for that. 
Second Life is, as far as I know, mostly to completely inaccessible for 
blind users, whereas text-chat isn't.

I agree that Second Life might be an interesting experiment for teaching 
accessible game design since Second Life (on some level at least) is about 
the design of interactive simulation. So going in and teaching people from 
the inside is well worth a shot. Second Life is already used as a tool for 
people with Autism (see: 
http://www.game-accessibility.com/index.php?pagefile=cognitive) so I'm all 
for a bit of accessibility in combination with Second Life.

But as "a better way for us to communication with each other"... I have to 
disagree. I don't see the benifit over other tools such as other IM 
applications, email (this list) and the GA.com forum.

But I'm open to all other opinions of course...

/Richard

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roome, Thomas C" <thomas.roome at student.utdallas.edu>
To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" <games_access at igda.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 11:32 PM
Subject: RE: [games_access] SIG Meetings Starting Soon

I might have a better way for us to communication with each other.  This 
semester I am taking a class looking at new forms digital media and we are 
using a program called Second Life.

What Is Second Life?  This from the wed site.

"Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its 
residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively and 
today is inhabited by 266,151 people from around the globe.

* From the moment you enter  the World you'll discover a vast digital 
continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. 
Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to 
build your house or business.

* You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow residents. 
Because residents retain the rights to their digital creations, they can 
buy, sell and trade with other residents.

* The Marketplace currently supports millions of US dollars in monthly 
transactions. This commerce is handled with the in-world currency, the 
Linden dollar, which can be converted to US dollars at several thriving 
online currency exchanges."

If everyone would join, then form a group and interact with each other and 
send instance messages to one another.  Since joining SL last week I have 
met some very nice people that have been a lot of help leaning this program, 
but you cannot buy land or build something like a house or  own a island on 
the basic membership level.  If everyone did join at the Premium Level which 
is only $10 monthly, then the group could buy some land and establish our 
headquarters and educated people about accessible game design!  For me SL 
have let me do some things that I cannot do in the real world like dance in 
a club.

However, I don't know how accessible the program would be for people who are 
blind because of the 3d graphics use for the program!

Go to http://secondlife.com/ for more information.  My name on SL is Tom06 
Castro.  If anyone does sign up place give them my SL name!  This was only a 
suggestion.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Thank You,
Tom Roome
ATEC Teacher Assistant
The University of Texas at Dallas
E-mail: thomas.roome at student.utdallas.edu

________________________________

From: games_access-bounces at igda.org on behalf of d. michelle hinn
Sent: Thu 8/31/2006 12:03 AM
To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
Subject: Re: [games_access] SIG Meetings Starting Soon

Sorry for the confusion -- there was no chat today. I was just trying to get 
a sense of people's schedules. There will be one next Wednesday however! :) 
I'll send out a calendar of meeting time.

Michelle

Hi,

I missed the chat... what did I miss?

Greets,

Richard

----- Original Message -----

From: d. michelle hinn <mailto:hinn at uiuc.edu>

To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List <mailto:games_access at igda.org>

Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:34 AM

Subject: [games_access] SIG Meetings Starting Soon

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is well and for those of you (and me!) in 
academia...I'm sure your head's spinning like mine...the beginning of the 
school year always brings new surprises. But I think I have some pretty good 
classes so they'll be fun to teach!

Anyway, it's time to set up a meeting schedule for the next few months. I'm 
thinking about staying with the 12:00 pm (noon) NYC time we have had for a 
while but what days of the week work better for everyone? We had been going 
with Wednesdays, and that works for me still. Objections? Suggestions?

We have plenty to talk about including GDC 2006 Accessibility Idol, The Game 
Accessibility Newsletter/Press Release Project (the one where we tell 
companies what they are doing right, and more!

So let me know if Wednesdays at noon NYC time still work for everyone and 
I'll start scheduling. And, if wednesday is a probably for the bulk of the 
"regulars" then we'll work on another day of the week. But don't let that 
"regulars" word throw you off -- all are welcome!!

Thanks,

Michelle

Chairperson, IGDA Game Accessibility SIG

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