[games_access] games_access Digest, Vol 111, Issue 1

Sun Mar 10 18:31:45 EDT 2013

A few years ago there was almost an alternative to the G4 and Spike
awards where they were going to give a special award to the most
accessible AAA game of the year in San Diego, associated with Comic
Con, but sadly the economy started crashing and that show never came
to be.

I have pushed the GDC before to include a special award in the Game
Developer Choice Awards before and this year I ended up on the final
voting committee for this years games (they basically randomized it
through past speakers and this year my number came up). But it was too
late to include a category -- it was just voting on the finalists. So
there are two parts to their awards -- one is the public vote and one
is the developer's choice and so this year I got to peak behind the
curtain for a few minutes and cast my vote for the industry vote.

So I've been following up to see if they have begun to change their
minds about a game accessibility award. What would be really key would
be to have representatives from multiple groups -- so nothing from
just one group but, rather, a consortium of groups such as the SIG,
AbleGamers, and individual experts such as individuals from various
companies who know a lot about GA and/or representatives of those
companies who may have a disability themselves. I have no doubt that
we could pull together a collective group of advisors for such an
award but we need to present it as a solid "here's what we are
proposing, this is what will happen, and see? we have already figured
it out for you so let us award it" plan. No haggling when we get in
front of the boss lady of GDC -- a united front.

UK-ers -- any connections to the BAFTAs? I say we hit up as many game
shows as we can think of but in a completely organized fashion. We
have to make it so that the group giving the award, GDC, BAFTA, Spike,
whatever feels like this is THEIR idea and that they have drafted this
consortium of experts. So a targeted approach, a convincing approach,
and an approach that allows the award show to know that this is in
their hands and we have only been a humble part of their BRILLIANT
IDEA. That's what my gut is telling me. We approach them with a plan
with confidence but also humility. And we are ALL on the same page. A
win for this is a WIN for Game Accessibility -- no ifs, ands, or buts.

What say everyone? Can we do this? I think we can!!! And I think it's
absolutely time!

Michelle
IGDA Game Accessibility SIG Co-Chair

On Sun, Mar 10, 2013 at 11:05 AM, Ian Hamilton <i_h at hotmail.com> wrote:
> I completely agree with Sandra, awards are a fantastic way not just to give
> some positive reinforcement to people already making efforts, but also to
> raise awareness, and to give some extra motivation to people who might have
> an interest but are too busy to care enough otherwise... certainly I've
> worked with several producers and execs who would always take the course of
> action that's most likely to win them an award.
>
> Specialist game of the year awards such as Dual Ring's, DAGERS',  and
> especially AbleGamers' have clearly shown the potential and how much
> recipients value the recognition.
>
> Specialist awards are great and have their own benefits, but to take it to
> the next level there really also needs to be some recognition of
> accessibility in general industry awards. Industry awards have far greater
> awareness raising potential, and also greater weight if coming from within
> the industry and recognised at an equal level to other industry-wide award
> categories.
>
> It's already a proven thing. Other industries, from quite different ones
> such as architecture and arts through to more closely related to gaming such
> as web and educational technology all have categories for inclusive design
> in general industry awards, awarded by industry bodies, in addition to ones
> awarded by individual advocacy groups.
>
> It has already kind of happened in the games industry for games aimed at
> specific disabled demographics, through the games for health category at the
> dutch game awards.
>
> There hasn't though (as far as I'm aware at least) been any recognition in
> industry awards for a mainstream game that is inclusive as possible,
> although a couple have expressed an interest at least.
>
> So if anyone has any links with awards either in their own country or
> internationally it's certainly something that's worth getting in touch with
> them about and working towards.
>
> Ian
>
>> From: games_access-request at igda.org
>> Subject: games_access Digest, Vol 111, Issue 1
>> To: games_access at igda.org
>> Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2013 10:00:04 -0500
>>
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>> Today's Topics:
>>
>> 1. German Computer Award: (Sandra Uhling)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2013 20:57:23 -0000
>> From: "Sandra Uhling" <sandra_uhling at web.de>
>> Subject: [games_access] German Computer Award:
>> To: "'IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List'"
>> <games_access at igda.org>
>> Message-ID: <000d01ce1c3f$8979eeb0$9c6dcc10$@de>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> German Computer Award:
>>
>>
>>
>> Die Kriterien, die die Jury ihrer Arbeit zugrunde legen, umfassen ein
>> gro?es
>> Spektrum an Qualit?ten, die ein auszuzeichnendes Spiel aufweisen kann. Die
>> Jury wei? Faktoren wie Game Accessibility daher in jedem Fall zu
>> w?rdigen.?
>>
>>
>>
>> Google translate:
>>
>> The criteria that define the jury based their work include a wide range of
>> qualities that may have a auszuzeichnendes game. The jury knows factors
>> like
>> Game Accessibility, in each case, to appreciate. "
>>
>>
>>
>> Well, I do not believe them. There is no checklist available at the
>> moment.
>>
>> Do they really know what blind, deaf, .... gamers need?
>>
>>
>>
>> Anyway Game Accessibility needs its own category!
>>
>> An the best are two: One for mainstream Games with accessibility features,
>> and another one for special games.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Sandra
>>
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>> End of games_access Digest, Vol 111, Issue 1
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