This book aims to provide information and in-routes to one of the most complex forms of video game accessibility. It promises to explain how a developer might make their game accessible to the totally blind. It will break down what that means and provide plenty of examples and ideas for how developers might achieve total blind accessibility, even in the largest, most complex games. As an experienced accessibility consultant who has worked on multiple AAA titles, the author brings a wealth of practical experience to the reader.
This book aims to provide information and in-routes to one of the most complex forms of video game accessibility. It promises to explain how a developer might make their game accessible to the totally blind.
Introduction, Part 1: The Story of Accessibility,
Chapter 1: Defining
Accessibility/Inaccessibility,
Chapter 2: Accidental Accessibility: The
Tenacity of the Blind Gamer,
Chapter 3: Blind Accessibility Specifics: What
It Means to Make Something Blind Accessible,
Chapter 4: Accessible
Beginnings: MUDs, Text Adventures, and So On,
Chapter 5: Audio Games,
Chapter
6: Blind Accessibilitys Mainstream Beginnings,
Chapter 7: AAA Accessibility
Reaches the Totally Blind,
Chapter 8: The State of Blind Accessibility, Part
2: Guidelines for Blind Accessibility in Games,
Chapter 9: Basic Principles
of Blind Accessibility,
Chapter 10: Every Game is Different,
Chapter 11:
Narration,
Chapter 12: Navigation and Traversal,
Chapter 13: Audio Cues,
Chapter 14: The Power of Good Audio Design,
Chapter 15: Audio Description and
Scripted Events,
Chapter 16: Combat and Kombat,
Chapter 17: Puzzles,
Chapter
18: Racing and Driving,
Chapter 19: Open Worlds,
Chapter 20: The Multiplayer
Discussion,
Chapter 21: Unexplored Territory, Conclusion
Brandon Cole was a totally blind, awardwinning accessibility consultant working primarily in the video game industry. His notable work includes such titles as The Last of Us Part 1 and The Last of Us Part 2, among others. He also used his social media, blog, and streaming platforms to advocate for accessibility whenever possible. Tragically, he passed away in June 2024 after a brief fight with Melanoma. You can still find his website, YouTube, and social media at brandoncole.net.
