[games_access] GDC 2008 ideas: Deaf-Blind games

[Barrie Ellis]

I do like the deaf-blind game idea...

I would think that some deaf-blind gamers have played the likes of text-adventures via Braille Displays or at least via a human interpreter.

I could imagine team-play would be possible for the likes of Resident Evil through a skilled interpreter spelling out what is happening in the game and giving some choices via deaf-blind finger spelling. This could be improved further if the deaf-blind gamer was wearing a force-feedback vest (e.g. http://www.vrealities.com/intervest.html). This would translate sounds into physical feedback, which might help include them a little further into understanding the game, and buidling the ambience. The gamer could have an agreed PAUSE sign if they are loosing track of what is happening. The interpreter/gamer could then fill them in a little more via signing.

I could also imagine some nature of Whack-a-mole game would be quite possible (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whack-A-Mole) - with some nature of sensors. Perhaps a Wii-Mote and force feedback vest with left, central and right feeback speakers. But how do you get interesting variety....?


Some other things to consider:


Braille Display
http://www.deafblind.com/display.html


VirTouch Tactile Mouse
http://www.skerpel.com/mouse.htm
http://www.skerpel.com/graphics.htm#games - a little mention of games - perhaps a bit like a Giant Buzzer Game, or 
game of Operation (http://www.matthews-leisure.co.uk/scalextric.htm).


Haptic Devices
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haptic
http://www.utoronto.ca/atrc/reference/tech/haptic.html


Tactile Glove Prototype for transmitting the alphabet
http://www.visugate.biz/bjvi/1993/nov1993.html


I think it would help to give this kind of information in advance to any competitors. They'll need to give thought to independence, game experience, and deaf-blind gamers unable to cope with the alphabet.
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