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

Tue Jan 28 11:32:18 EST 2014

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

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 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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*COO/Community Outreach Director*

AbleGamers Charity
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