A short classification of audio games in the context of improving interaction and accessibility for visually impaired people
Journal Title: Romanian Journal of Human - Computer Interaction - Year 2014, Vol 7, Issue 3
Abstract
Making computer games accessible to blind people is a very difficult task. As the majority of computer games available on the market today are graphics-based, the visually impaired part of the population is highly deprived of this useful technological means of entertainment and education. This lack of accessibility has led to the development of adaptable and entertaining audio-based games, since the late 1970s. As hearing is a relatively reliable sense that can, to some extent, replace sight, these ludic virtual environments render their complete experience through auditory cues. Even if at the moment audio games do not draw the attention of developers as much as their video counterparts, we believe that they present obvious advantages. They should be studied more intensively in order to lead to the development of useful and accessible applications that would improve the interaction between the computer and the blind users. This paper aims to present a brief classification of the most significant audio games and to discuss their functional aspects, the most used means of interaction and the best design strategies related to the development of alternative game approaches towards facilitating the connection between the visually-disadvantaged players and the computer.
Authors and Affiliations
Oana Bălan, Alin Moldoveanu, Florica Moldoveanu, Oana-Maria Ferche
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