[games_access] Fw: AbleGamers Announce Accessibility Awards for 2013 Including Mainstream Accessible Game of the Year

Mon Feb 3 12:08:03 EST 2014

Very nice!! Just got to pick up on this, great to see, and esp. for the
award for SE.

Thank for sharing, Steve.

Barrie

On 3 February 2014 17:03, Barrie Ellis <oneswitch at gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
>  *From:* Steve Spohn <steve at ablegamers.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:32 PM
> *To:* IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List <games_access at igda.org>
> *Subject:* [games_access] AbleGamers Announce Accessibility Awards for
> 2013 Including Mainstream Accessible Game of the Year
>
>  Hey all,
>
> I wanted to make sure you all got a chance to see AbleGamers announced
> this year's AbleGamers mainstream game of the year award, as well as the
> first year of our expanded award program.
>
> This is the kick off of the year for us, and believe me, we have a huge
> year upcoming. It's going to be a great year for accessibility!
>
> For more information please see the press release below.
>
>
>             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>
>
> Contact:
>
> Steve Spohn
>
> press at ablegamers.com
>
> (703) 891-9017 ext:101 <%28703%29%20891-9017%20ext%3A101>
>
>
>
> AbleGamers Announce Accessibility Awards for 2013 Including Mainstream
> Accessible Game of the Year
>
>
>
> *The AbleGamers Charity Annual List of the Year's Best Accessibility
> Achievements Including Media Champion, Innovator, Device, Publisher, Indie
> Game and Mainstream Game of the Year*
>
>
>
> Harpers Ferry, WV - Jan 28, 2014-The AbleGamers Charity enters a new era
> of recognizing the greatest accessibility achievements of the year in the
> gaming industry. In addition to this year's mainstream accessible game of
> the year award, AbleGamers will also be recognizing media champion,
> innovator, device, publisher, and indie game of the year.
>
>
>
> Every year, the AbleGamers Charity scours the industry for the best
> accessibility advancements in gaming and technology. This year, 7 awards
> will be given out to those who have made a real difference to the realm of
> accessibility and gaming. AbleGamers hopes to help raise awareness for the
> good deeds these individuals are doing by giving each award recipient a
> small token displaying the appreciation from the gamers with disabilities
> community.
>
>
>
> *Includification Award: Paradox Interactive.*
>
>
>
> Paradox Interactive continues to publish strategy games that demonstrate
> crucial accessibility standards as defined by the practical set of the
> game accessibility guidelines<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=85613693&msgid=1103889&act=HWN4&c=369830&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.includification.com%2F>.
> Paradox also continues to work closely with AbleGamers to bring seamless
> accessibility to all games without interfering with any gameplay mechanics.
>
>
>
> *Best Media Champion: Paul Nyheart, HDFilms.*
>
>
>
> Paul's work to include gamers with disabilities and advocate for the works
> of those with physical challenges on both the Jace Hall Show and the 1337
> Lounge continue to advance the awareness of gamers with disabilities.
>
>
>
> *Best Innovator: SpecialEffect.*
>
>
>
> SpecialEffect has made many advancements for children with disabilities in
> the UK. With a full-time staff dedicated to helping those with
> disabilities, AbleGamers is proud to consider SpecialEffect an important
> resource for European gamers with disabilities.
>
>
>
> *Best New Device or Peripheral: StinkyBoard.*
>
>
>
> StinkyBoard is a game changing device designed to allow gamers to use the
> abilities and their feet to add additional flexibility in the control
> schemes of any video game. Combined with the right software and macro
> systems, StinkyBoard gives an amazing amount of flexibility to those with
> physical impairments such as the loss of the use of one arm or limited
> upper body movement.
>
>
>
> *Best Accessible Indie Game of the Year: The Stanley Parable.*
>
>
>
> The Stanley Parable exemplifies the extreme accessibility indie developers
> can display while leaving the exciting gameplay of traditional video games
> completely intact. Despite limited manpower and funding, indie developers
> continue to push the boundaries of accessibility. AbleGamers recognizes
> Galactic Café's Stanley Parable as the best of the best in indie game
> development.
>
>
>
> And without further ado...
>
>
>
> *AbleGamers Accessible Mainstream Game of the Year*
>
>
>
> *Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn*
>
>
>
> With the very first accessibility award for Square-Enix, FFXIV scored 9.1
> in AbleGamers accessibility review<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=85613693&msgid=1103889&act=HWN4&c=369830&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.ablegamers.com%2FPC%2Ffinal-fantasy-xiv-a-realm-reborn.html>scoring system including 10 for hearing and 9.5 for visual elements. FFXIV
> covers almost every area of accessibility with high standards and practical
> application. The mobility area of the game was nearly perfect except for
> the inability to use only the mouse to play the game. In upcoming patches,
> Square-Enix has the ability to achieve a perfect 10 with some very minor
> fixes.
>
>
>
> In the meantime, with the year full of accessibility disappointments from
> many major mainstream games, FFXIV was the most requested review of the
> year from the AbleGamers community, and the mainstream title that fulfilled
> almost all of the requirements to be fully accessible to gamers with
> disabilities.
>
>
>
> "We are very honored to receive AbleGamers' Mainstream Game of the Year
> Award," said Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of FINAL FANTASY XIV: A
> Realm Reborn.  "In terms of the visual aspect, especially how color is
> displayed, we took in the players' feedback and continuously performed
> updates so that any player from around the world can enjoy the game, and
> are firmly committed to this moving forward. I would like to formally
> express my gratitude to AbleGamers for recognizing our efforts."
>
>
>
> "It was a largely disappointing year for video games," said Mark Barlet,
> Founder and Executive Director of the AbleGamers Charity. "We experienced
> many games that were overhyped and then found very inaccessible this year.
> Fortunately, Square-Enix delivered a very enjoyable game that is accessible
> to a large portion of the disabled gaming community. We look forward to
> them continuing to improve the experience of FFXIV to include the disabled
> gamers who are still waiting to enjoy such a spectacular accomplishment in
> mainstream accessible gaming."
>
>
>
> Please visit www.ablegamers.com<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=85613693&msgid=1103889&act=HWN4&c=369830&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ablegamers.com%2F>for more information on AbleGamers and the charitable work continuing to
> help those with disabilities enjoy the wonderful world of gaming. Visit
> www.includification.com<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=85613693&msgid=1103889&act=HWN4&c=369830&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.includification.com%2F>to see the best practical set of game accessibility guidelines found
> anywhere in the world. And www.ablegamers.com/donate<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=85613693&msgid=1103889&act=HWN4&c=369830&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ablegamers.com%2Fdonate>to find more information about tax-deductible donations.
>
> *About AbleGamers*
>
> The AbleGamers Charity is a 501(c)(3) public charity that runs
> AbleGamers.com, which provides news and reviews on the accessibility of
> mainstream video game titles, as well as consultation on assistive
> technology.  As an alternative to Serious Gaming, mainstream video games
> supply many disabled individuals and veterans with rehabilitation as well
> as social stimulation in situations where they may be otherwise shut out of
> society's idea of normal everyday life.
>
>
> ###
>
> For more information about this topic, the AbleGamers foundation,
> AbleGamers.com, donating, or to schedule an interview with Mark Barlet,
> President of The AbleGamers Foundation, call (703) 891-9017 ext:101<%28703%29%20891-9017%20ext%3A101>or email Steve Spohn at press at AbleGamers.com
>
>
>   This message was sent to steve at ablegamers.com from:
>
> Mark Barlet | PO Box 508 | Charles Town, WV 25414
>
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>
>
> --
> Steve Spohn
>
>  *COO/Community Outreach Director*
>
> AbleGamers Charity
> AbleGamers.com <http://www.ablegamers.com/> | Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/ablegamers>
>  | Twitter <http://www.twitter.com/ablegamers>
>
> ------------------------------
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>
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