[games_access] language thread, was The Human Controller

Mon Jun 16 19:01:04 EDT 2008

>From the wiki:

"Most existing and new housing, even in the wealthiest nations, lack basic accessibility features unless the designated, immediate occupant of a home currently has a disability. However, there are some initiatives to change typical residential practices so that new homes incorporate basic access features such as zero-step entries and door widths adequate for wheelchairs to pass through."

I feel I'm in disagreement with what the wiki is illustrating of the current progression of accessibility.  I don't see the good in forced compliance of accessibility (whether I'm designing a building or videogame), and in fairness I'm standoffish when it comes to goverments telling people what to do when it comes to "unique" situations.  Part of this is that I see how irrelevant the vocabulary of the initiatives is.  "Wheelchair sized" anything is asking for a disruptive product to come in a change the world.  I can only imagine how different things will be when products like Asimo are made practical.  Will it evolve into a robot companion?  How about a robotic set of legs?  Then what good was changing an architect's design to fit a small portion of the public for something "wheelchair sized"?

I'm being skiddish about the topic, but there is at least one very positive takeaways thus far.  1) There is plenty of room for growth in the accessible industry for new products to help assist people.

There are private companies making such disruptive inventions - Nuance Communications in Boston - and they are filling in the blanks in areas where accessible initiatives can't make full strides, at the cost of the user that needs them.

To me, I believe the individual should be responsible for purchasing products that make their life accessible.  I drove my Thai friend's car yesterday and my head was nudging the roof.  I'm 6'0" - 6'1" on a very good day.  Granted, there's the possibility of a serious safety issue here, but also a usability issue.  Now, if I were looking to buy a car I wouldn't buy that one.  I wouldn't lobby for the car company to change their design, and I especially wouldn't lobby short people to pay for the redesign - and I have a real hard time believing building owners have to pay out-of-pocket to make their businesses and homes more accessible... stick with me.  Read below.

After my second (completely logical - ha!) tyrade, I see a second silver lining.  2)  There's plenty of room for progressive initiatives - especially revising the ones we already have (already on the books = lower entry point).

Please read the following link:

http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_33417.html

If the ADA tax break guidelines don't already extend to game companies making their products more accessible what can be done to reform the guidelines?  We've had mixed responses in the few opportunities there have been to get developers to add accessible features in their games but if we used the two most powerful words in the english language I believe we could get a much more enthusiastic reponse.

"Tax Deductable"
> From: thomas at pininteractive.com> To: games_access at igda.org> Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2008 23:22:39 +0200> Subject: Re: [games_access] language thread, was The Human Controller> > Hi,> > hey, Depeche Mode, now I got into nostalgic mode :)> > Thanks for the links. I talked to Stig Becker who is Head of the > International Secretariat at SIAT (http://www.hi.se/templates/Page____132.aspx > ) who agreed that the Handicap term is dated. He recommended the UN > site for definitions.> > When googling I recalled the Convention on the Rights of Persons with > Disabilities, where the term handicap is not even mentioned> http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=12&pid=150> > but at another page, the WHO definition is present:> http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/diswpa01.htm> > I also read at Wikipeda about accessibility, a good page, which > describes it as medical versus social contexts> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility> > OK, anyways, lucky me that I haven't used the handicap terminology in > my thesis, except for in the definition of terms part. So I'll just > insert a short description of this different definitions. Good to have > this sorted out, I thought I had it all worked out with the WHO > definition.> > /Thomas> > On 16 jun 2008, at 09.59, Barrie Ellis wrote:> > > No problem, Thomas...> >> > A pretty exhaustive forum post here on handicapped/disabled:> >> > http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbouch/F2322273?thread=3651003&skip=0&show=20> >> > And some evidence against the definition as being linked to "cap in > > hand" begging.> >> > http://www.snopes.com/language/offense/handicap.asp> >> > Best to refer to people as people I guess (cue Depeche Mode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNaZDVHmums > > and a big grin)...> >> > Barrie> > www.OneSwitch.org.uk> >> >> >> >> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas Westin" <thomas at pininteractive.com > > >> > To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" > > <games_access at igda.org>> > Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2008 7:24 PM> > Subject: Re: [games_access] language thread, was The Human Controller> >> >> >> is there some article / web pag ge that describes this problem > >> with the Handicap terminology?> >>> >> would be great to have as reference> >>> >> /thomas> >>> >> On 14 jun 2008, at 21.23, Reid Kimball wrote:> >>> >>> I agree with Barrie and I'd like to expand the idea of "right to > >>> fun"> >>> to something bigger. The right to fun is one part of a larger > >>> right to> >>> participate in society. As games become more culturally relevant > >>> to a> >>> society, they will help us examine and participate in the shaping of> >>> who we are as people. If we neglect to include everyone in this> >>> examination and participation, we won't become the kind of society > >>> we> >>> ought to become.> >>>> >>> -Reid> >>>> >>> On Sat, Jun 14, 2008 at 1:02 AM, Barrie Ellis> >>> <barrie.ellis at oneswitch.org.uk> wrote:> >>>> Again - I would say that in the UK - the word Handicap is now > >>>> generally tied> >>>> up with a lot of negative baggage. Many believe (wrongly or > >>>> rightly) that> >>>> it's linked to "cap in hand" begging - others consider it an > >>>> inherently> >>>> negative word anyway. As Reid said - if you remove the barriers > >>>> from a> >>>> "disabled person" - in context - you'll just describe them as a > >>>> person...> >>>> That's what we're aiming at - smashing the barriers.> >>>>> >>>> Also - the W.H.O. is a medical based organisation. Accessible > >>>> gaming to me> >>>> will always be about social rights - and not about medical > >>>> conditions. A> >>>> gamer has these abilities - so how can they play game X,Y,Z? Am I > >>>> repeating> >>>> myself?! (I'll shut up after this for a bit I promise): The > >>>> right to fun.> >>>>> >>>> Barrie> >>>> www.OneSwitch.org.uk> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eelke Folmer" <eelke.folmer at gmail.com> >>>> >> >>>> To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" <games_access at igda.org> >>>> >> >>>> Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 5:39 PM> >>>> Subject: Re: [games_access] language thread, was The Human > >>>> Controller> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Hi Thomas,> >>>>>> >>>>> I never really thought about the difference but your taxonomy > >>>>> seems> >>>>> intuitive and straightforward.> >>>>>> >>>>> Cheers Eelke> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> On 12/06/2008, Thomas Westin <thomas at pininteractive.com> wrote:> >>>>>>> >>>>>> Hi,> >>>>>>> >>>>>> The World Health Organization has a definition which makes a > >>>>>> difference> >>>>>> between disability and handicap, where disability is related to > >>>>>> the> >>>>>> individual, while handicap is related to the environment. In > >>>>>> other words,> >>>>>> if> >>>>>> you're in a wheel chair, you are handicapped in a building > >>>>>> with high> >>>>>> thresholds. By removing the thresholds (read: making it > >>>>>> accessible) you> >>>>>> remove the handicap, but you are still disabled.> >>>>>>> >>>>>> I think that is a good distinction> >>>>>>> >>>>>> Kind regards> >>>>>> Thomas> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> On 11 jun 2008, at 18.59, Barrie Ellis wrote:> >>>>>>> >>>>>> Language is a contentious issue and I respect that you have a > >>>>>> different> >>>>>> opinion, Matthias. I just personally feel that certain phrases > >>>>>> don't> >>>>>> particularly tie up with disability rights - which is what the > >>>>>> Game> >>>>>> Accessibility movement is all about to my mind. I still feel > >>>>>> that you are> >>>>>> approaching this field from a Medical standpoint - rather that > >>>>>> a Social> >>>>>> rights stand point.> >>>>>>> >>>>>> Barrie> >>>>>> www.OneSwitch.org.uk> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> ----- Original Message -----> >>>>>> From: Matthias Troup> >>>>>> To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List> >>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:28 PM> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [games_access] language thread, was The Human > >>>>>> Controller> >>>>>>> >>>>>> Kestrel, Perhaps I (and others) read it as this: If these are > >>>>>> people> >>>>>> without disabilities in the offensive sense... who aren't > >>>>>> suffering in> >>>>>> their> >>>>>> environment... what would they need help with, and why would > >>>>>> anyone be> >>>>>> helping? I think Eitans choice of words is fine since his > >>>>>> cause was a> >>>>>> constructive effort for accessibility. At least, I feel hints > >>>>>> of emotion> >>>>>> help make any thesis a little less dry.> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> From: kestrell at panix.com> >>>>>>> To: games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>> Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:57:14 -0400> >>>>>>> Subject: [games_access] language thread, was The Human > >>>>>>> Controller> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Regarding appropriate language, I'm not sure I see where you are> >>>>>> disagreeing> >>>>>>> with my original post. I used the word "disability," and the > >>>>>>> site you> >>>>>> linked> >>>>>>> to, which the wonderful BBC online disability magazine, > >>>>>>> Ouch!, also >> >>>>>>> uses> >>>>>> the> >>>>>>> word "disability." I totally agree with the list provided in > >>>>>>> the >> >>>>>>> article> >>>>>> as> >>>>>>> being offensive words, including the word "special."> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Granted the fifth day of ninety degree weather here in Boston > >>>>>>> is >> >>>>>>> melting> >>>>>> my> >>>>>>> brain, but what did I miss?> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Kes> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----> >>>>>>> From: "Barrie Ellis" <barrie.ellis at oneswitch.org.uk>> >>>>>>> To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" <games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 2:54 AM> >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [games_access] The Human Controller> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hi Eitan,> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I actually disagree with Kestrell's "people first stand > >>>>>>>> point" with> >>>>>>>> "people with disabilities" (although I did used to use it > >>>>>>>> myself). >> >>>>>>>>> I've> >>>>>>>> long since prefered "disabled people" linking to people being > >>>>>>>> > >> >>>>>>>> disabled> >>>>>> by> >>>>>>>> society / the inaccessibility of their environment.> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Take a look through this item:> >>>>>>>> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3708576.stm.> >>>>>>>> Plus this on the Social Model and Medical Model of diability:> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>> http://inclusion.uwe.ac.uk/inclusionweek/articles/socmod.htm> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Barrie> >>>>>>>> www.OneSwitch.org.uk> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----> >>>>>>>> From: "Kestrell" <kestrell at panix.com>> >>>>>>>> To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" > >> >>>>>>>> <games_access at igda.org>> >>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 11:42 PM> >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [games_access] The Human Controller> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Eitan,> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I seem to have missed your original post in which you > >>>>>>>>> posted the >> >>>>>>>>>>> link,> >>>>>>>>> but here are some thoughts on language and disability:> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Certain words and phrases tend to really be button words, > >>>>>>>>> as in they> >>>>>> will> >>>>>>>>> typically hit many readers' buttons, and the phrase > >>>>>>>>> "suffering from"> >>>>>>>>>>>> is> >>>>>>>>> definitely one of those phrases. Often the phrase can be > >>>>>>>>> deleted> >>>>>>>>> altogether, leaving the phrase "people with disabilities" or > >>>>>>>>> "people> >>>>>> with> >>>>>>>>> visual impairments" or "visually-impaired gamers," etc. The > >>>>>>>>> informal> >>>>>> rule> >>>>>>>>> is that the individuals you are discussing are "people > >>>>>>>>> first," as> >>>>>>>>> mentioned in this online article> >>>>>>>>> http://iod.unh.edu/press.html> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> and here is a link which includes links to writing about > >>>>>>>>> disability,> >>>>>>>>> language to use in interviewing people with disabilities, > >>>>>>>>> and more> >>>>>>>>> resources> >>>>>>>>> http://ncdj.org/links.html> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Kes> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> ---- Original Message -----> >>>>>>>>> From: "Eitan Glinert" <glinert at mit.edu>> >>>>>>>>> To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" > >>> >>>>>>>>> <games_access at igda.org>> >>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 4:29 PM> >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [games_access] The Human Controller> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Wow, awesome! Thanks for the feedback, I think you are the > >>>>>>>>>> only >> >>>>>>>>>>>>> person> >>>>>>>>>> outside of MIT to have actually read this. Comments below.> >>>>>>>>>> Eitan> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 6:48 PM, Barrie Ellis> >>>>>>>>>> <barrie.ellis at oneswitch.org.uk> wrote:> >>>>>>>>>>> Hi Eitan,> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I've read through your thesis "The Human Controller"...> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Had these thoughts...> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Didn't like some of the language used. "Suffering from - > >>>>>>>>>>> impaired> >>>>>>>>>>> people -> >>>>>>>>>>> handicapped". All pretty crusty old terms with negative > > >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> connotations.> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> EG: Point taken. Any suggestions for better terms?<<<> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Not sure about the controller analysis in Chapter 1 - > >>>>>>>>>>> there's been> >>>>>>>>>>> Driving> >>>>>>>>>>> controllers and light guns since the 70's for many games >> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> consoles -> >>>>>>>>>>> which> >>>>>>>>>>> are fairly natural feeling interfaces and have been > >>>>>>>>>>> popular in the> >>>>>>>>>>> past.> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> EG: I guess in chapter one I'm trying to draw general > >>>>>>>>>>>>> strokes >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about> >>>>>>>>>>>>> UIs, saying that they generally weren't adopted by a > >>>>>>>>>>>>> mainstream> >>>>>>>>>>>>> audience. Perhaps I should make this more explicit, > >>>>>>>>>>>>> though<<<> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> "Even if it is possible to remap controls it is not always >> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> advisable> >>>>>> to> >>>>>>>>>>> do> >>>>>>>>>>> so. Frequently part of the fun of a game is the interface, > >>>>>>>>>>> and> >>>>>> changing> >>>>>>>>>>> it> >>>>>>>>>>> without forethought is potentially detrimental. In the > >>>>>>>>>>> pervious> >>>>>> example> >>>>>>>>>>> of> >>>>>>>>>>> Wii Sports tennis part of the fun is actually swinging the >> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> controller> >>>>>>>>>>> as if> >>>>>>>>>>> it were a racket. If this functionality were changed to > >>>>>>>>>>> pressing a> >>>>>>>>>>> button> >>>>>>>>>>> then much of the game's charm and fun would be lost.". > >>>>>>>>>>> I'm not >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> happy> >>>>>>>>>>> with> >>>>>>>>>>> this statement personally - I'd like to see multiple- > >>>>>>>>>>> layers of> >>>>>>>>>>> accessibility> >>>>>>>>>>> (much like Dimitris "Parallel Universes" theory). Why > >>>>>>>>>>> can't a four> >>>>>>>>>>> player> >>>>>>>>>>> game of Wii Sports allow player 1 to use the Wii-remote - > >>>>>>>>>>> player 2> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to> >>>>>>>>>>> use a> >>>>>>>>>>> standard JoyPad - player 3 to use a single button and > >>>>>>>>>>> player 4 to> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> use> >>>>>>>>>>> an> >>>>>>>>>>> adapted Wii-remote with blue-tooth stereo head-set to relay> >>>>>>>>>>> personalised> >>>>>>>>>>> timing sounds (think of live singers having a click track > >>>>>>>>>>> that >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> only> >>>>>>>>>>> they can> >>>>>>>>>>> hear) in an ideal world? You mention this type of thing > >>>>>>>>>>> later as >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> if> >>>>>>>>>>> it's a> >>>>>>>>>>> good thing - so I find this early statement a bit overly > >>>>>>>>>>> negative.> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> EG: I agree with what you say, which is why I discuss > >>>>>>>>>>>>> such themes> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in> >>>>>>>>>>>>> chapter 2. I guess the reason I have that negative > >>>>>>>>>>>>> statement >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> early> >>>>>> on> >>>>>>>>>>>>> is because I wanted to acknowledge the tradeoff early > >>>>>>>>>>>>> on, even> >>>>>> before> >>>>>>>>>>>>> I get to the sections on tradeoffs. I also wanted to > >>>>>>>>>>>>> make it >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> clear> >>>>>>>>>>>>> that I don't feel accessibility is a magic bullet, even > >>>>>>>>>>>>> if it is> >>>>>>>>>>>>> almost always applicable.<<<> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> "Games have evolved tremendously over the past few > >>>>>>>>>>> decades, as> >>>>>>>>>>> advancements> >>>>>>>>>>> in technology have led to amazingly realistic and engaging >> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> offerings,> >>>>>>>>>>> while> >>>>>>>>>>> shifts in player demographics indicate the widespread > >>>>>>>>>>> popularity >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of> >>>>>>>>>>> video> >>>>>>>>>>> games. Despite these changes many different disabled > >>>>>>>>>>> groups are >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> still> >>>>>>>>>>> unable> >>>>>>>>>>> to play most titles due to inaccessible UIs.." - Would > >>>>>>>>>>> argue that> >>>>>> too.> >>>>>>>>>>> I'd> >>>>>>>>>>> agree that most Blind gamers would be in that boat (those > >>>>>>>>>>> with >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> very> >>>>>>>>>>> little> >>>>>>>>>>> usable sight) - but a better statement might have been "many> >>>>>> different> >>>>>>>>>>> disabled groups are faced with deeply frustrating > >>>>>>>>>>> barriers with >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> many> >>>>>>>>>>> main-stream games". I know Deaf gamers might struggle at > >>>>>>>>>>> certain> >>>>>> points> >>>>>>>>>>> of> >>>>>>>>>>> certain games - and gamers using a single button > >>>>>>>>>>> frequently have >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to> >>>>>>>>>>> rely> >>>>>>>>>>> upon a friend/helper to take on extra controls and so on > >>>>>>>>>>> - but >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> they> >>>>>> can> >>>>>>>>>>> still play.> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> EG: Good suggestion, thanks! I might make a change to > >>>>>>>>>>>>> the >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> argument> >>>>>> on> >>>>>>>>>>>>> the online version.<<<> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Chaper 2> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> "Game controls should be as simple as possible, but no > >>>>>>>>>>> simpler." -> >>>>>> Not> >>>>>>>>>>> really sure what you're saying here.> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> EG: Simplicity is good, but you don't want to go > >>>>>>>>>>>>> overboard. You> >>>>>> don't> >>>>>>>>>>>>> want to cut out critical game elements or features in > >>>>>>>>>>>>> the name of> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a> >>>>>>>>>>>>> "cleaner" UI. Maybe that's not clear? <<<> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> 2.5 "a rhythm title like Guitar Hero which focuses on > >>>>>>>>>>> music will >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> not> >>>>>>>>>>> work> >>>>>>>>>>> for the hearing impaired, and it is probably not possible > >>>>>>>>>>> to make> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> an> >>>>>>>>>>> accessible version." - I don't agree with this. Deaf > >>>>>>>>>>> gamers as a> >>>>>> whole> >>>>>>>>>>> covers a very broad range of hearing ability. There will > >>>>>>>>>>> be many >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> deaf> >>>>>>>>>>> gamers> >>>>>>>>>>> perfectly able to play Guitar Hero. Even those unable to > >>>>>>>>>>> hear at >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> all> >>>>>>>>>>> might> >>>>>>>>>>> enjoy such a game - did you see Deaf Gamers 8.5/10 review > >>>>>>>>>>> score:> >>>>>>>>>>> http://www.deafgamers.com/07reviews_a/gh3_x360.html> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> EG: Wow, I flubbed this one. I'm going to have to change > >>>>>>>>>>>>> the> >>>>>> language> >>>>>>>>>>>>> on this. Good catch, thanks!<<<> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> But aside from this, I frequently found myself in full > >>>>>>>>>>> agreement >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with> >>>>>>>>>>> the> >>>>>>>>>>> majority of your thesis - and did enjoy reading it. > >>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> making> >>>>>>>>>>> it> >>>>>>>>>>> publicly available.> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Great, thanks so much!<<<> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Barrie> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eitan Glinert" > >>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> <glinert at mit.edu>> >>>>>>>>>>> To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List"> >>>>>> <games_access at igda.org>> >>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 10:50 PM> >>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [games_access] The Human Controller> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Good news, everyone! In a surprise twist, I'm graduating! > >>>>>>>>>>>> I know> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a> >>>>>> lot> >>>>>>>>>>>> of you are interested in my thesis, so you can check it > >>>>>>>>>>>> out at> >>>>>>>>>>>> web.mit.edu/glinert/www/thesis . I'm happy to answer > >>>>>>>>>>>> questions >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> about> >>>>>>>>>>>> it, and I welcome feedback (both positive and negative). > >>>>>>>>>>>> Special> >>>>>>>>>>>> thanks to Dimitris, Eelke, Michelle, and Reid for all > >>>>>>>>>>>> their help> >>>>>>>>>>>> answering my questions over the months.> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> In case you're not sure whether it is worth reading, > >>>>>>>>>>>> here's some> >>>>>> more> >>>>>>>>>>>> info:> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> TITLE: The Human Controller: Usability and Accessibility > >>>>>>>>>>>> in Video> >>>>>> Game> >>>>>>>>>>>> Interfaces> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> ABSTRACT:> >>>>>>>>>>>> Despite the advances in user interfaces and the new > >>>>>>>>>>>> gaming >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> genres,> >>>>>> not> >>>>>>>>>>>> all people can play all games - disabled people are > >>>>>>>>>>>> frequently> >>>>>>>>>>>> excluded from game play experiences. On the one hand > >>>>>>>>>>>> this adds to> >>>>>> the> >>>>>>>>>>>> list of discriminations disabled people face in our > >>>>>>>>>>>> society, >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> while> >>>>>> on> >>>>>>>>>>>> the other hand actively including them potentially > >>>>>>>>>>>> results in >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> games> >>>>>>>>>>>> that are better for everyone. The largest hurdle to > >>>>>>>>>>>> involvement >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is> >>>>>> the> >>>>>>>>>>>> user interface, or how a player interacts with the game. >> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Analyzing> >>>>>>>>>>>> usability and adhering to accessibility design > >>>>>>>>>>>> principles makes >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it> >>>>>>>>>>>> both possible and practical to develop fun and engaging > >>>>>>>>>>>> game user> >>>>>>>>>>>> interfaces that a broader range of the population can > >>>>>>>>>>>> play. To> >>>>>>>>>>>> demonstrate these principles we created AudiOdyssey, a PC > >>>>>>>>>>>> rhythm> >>>>>> game> >>>>>>>>>>>> that is accessible to both sighted and non-sighted > >>>>>>>>>>>> audiences. By> >>>>>>>>>>>> following accessibility guidelines we incorporated a novel> >>>>>> combination> >>>>>>>>>>>> of features resulting in a similar play experience for > >>>>>>>>>>>> both >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> groups.> >>>>>>>>>>>> Testing AudiOdyssey yielded useful insights into which > >>>>>>>>>>>> interface> >>>>>>>>>>>> elements work and which don't work for all users. Finally > >>>>>>>>>>>> a case> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is> >>>>>>>>>>>> made for considering accessibility when designing future > >>>>>>>>>>>> versions> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of> >>>>>>>>>>>> gaming user interfaces, and speculative scenarios are > >>>>>>>>>>>> presented >> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for> >>>>>>>>>>>> what such interfaces might look like.> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Eitan> >>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>>>>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>>>>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>>>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>>>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>> >>>>>> ________________________________> >>>>>> Search that pays you back! Introducing Live Search cashback. > >>>>>> Search Now!> >>>>>>> >>>>>> ________________________________> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> --> >>>>>> >>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------> >>>>> Eelke Folmer Assistant Professor> >>>>> Department of CS&E/171> >>>>> University of Nevada Reno, Nevada 89557> >>>>> Game interaction design www.eelke.com> >>>>>> >>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------> >>>>> _______________________________________________> >>>>> games_access mailing list> >>>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> _______________________________________________> >>>> games_access mailing list> >>>> games_access at igda.org> >>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>>>> >>> _______________________________________________> >>> games_access mailing list> >>> games_access at igda.org> >>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >>> >> _______________________________________________> >> games_access mailing list> >> games_access at igda.org> >> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> >> >> > _______________________________________________> > games_access mailing list> > games_access at igda.org> > http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access> > _______________________________________________> games_access mailing list> games_access at igda.org> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
_________________________________________________________________
Instantly invite friends from Facebook and other social networks to join you on Windows Live™ Messenger.
https://www.invite2messenger.net/im/?source=TXT_EML_WLH_InviteFriends
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://pairlist7.pair.net/pipermail/games_access/attachments/20080616/23715814/attachment.htm>