[games_access] A few thoughts

[John Bannick]

The rating system I was mentioning is one we at 7-128 developed to identify 
which of our games have accessibility accommodations for a specific need - 
example, for players who are blind, motion impaired, color blind, deaf and 
so forth.

In addition, we need to have a rating system that evaluates the game 
suitability, much as the ESRB rating does.  The problem with ESRB is that 
it costs a great deal to become rated and as far as I have been able to 
determine, a simple casual game costs the same as a major game from one of 
the large game developers.  Add to that the problem that most retail 
outlets won't stock a game that is NOT ESRB rated, and you have something 
that keeps many small developers out of the market.  These developers are 
the ones who are far more likely to be willing to look at a market segment 
that is not the standard market for computer games.

The ALERT project is our attempt to assist teachers and care-givers to 
select and use accessible computer games for people who would benefit from 
them.   We tried to list the accommodations to look for in accessible games 
for each category.

You can access the ALERT project by going to www.7128.com and scrolling 
down to the ALERT button.