[games_access] games_access Digest, Vol 111, Issue 1

Mon Mar 11 05:07:18 EDT 2013

I agree, and I think we should include the Independent Games Festival too, to have an accessibility award too. If I recall correctly, we did propose this to the IGF many years ago, but I can't remember what came out of it it. In any case, yes it is definitely time, and now there is also a good framework for the judges with the available guidelines.

Best regards,
Thomas

On 10Mar 2013, at 11:31 PM, Michelle Hinn <michellehinn at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>>> 
>>> Send games_access mailing list submissions to
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>>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
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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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>> 
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