[games_access] games_access Digest, Vol 163, Issue 10

Chad Philip Johnson chad at anacronist.com
Sun Mar 12 01:45:32 EST 2017


As it was presented at the roundtable, the idea was essentially to 
provide an accessibility feedback tool to publishers and developers that 
is run and maintained by the GA-SIG.  My impression of the discussion 
was that this resource would provide a single place where gamers could 
go to share their accessibility experiences for the games they play, and 
not have to track down and visit multiple company websites to do so 
(provided they even exist).

We only talked about it for 5-10 minutes so the conversation was just 
getting started.  In other words, all ideas are on the table.

Chad Philip Johnson
Anacronist Software

On 03/11/2017 09:38 AM, Selwyn Lloyd wrote:
> If I get this thread. and what the buzz is...
>
> I would like to be part if a generic survey system where everyone can 
> get the cumulative results in realtime.
>
> This would be useful so that if you contribute to the process you 
> instantly acknowledge the importance of your contribution.
>
> Secondly it would be useful to be able to add questions and let the 
> survey evolve.
>
> I hunted the web and looked at obvious tools like survey monkey but...
>
> ...well I can't find such a tool but I'd be willing to try and make 
> one and host it...
>
> Just to recap I'd find the following features important
>
> 1. A base set of questions game developers need to weigh up.
> 2. The ability for participants to see the results of data in 
> realtime, particularly quantitive answers as opposed to verbal / 
> qualitative answers
> 3. The ability for a question to be added in realtime (or used a 
> template to copy and modify and save time)
> 4. The survey tool is accessible.
>
> ... hang on here is an idea. I hope it has some merit and I go the 
> idea of this particular discussion in the first place.
>
> Perhaps a better alternative for me (given I'm sighted though) would 
> be our own version of stackoverflow... i.e. games_access_overflow
>
> It would tick the features I'd value as a game developer.
>
> I've done a little digging to see if there is one already or we might 
> start one and I found we might propose one via 
> http://area51.stackexchange.com/
>
> I couldn't find one for accessibility there are various stack 
> instances for games
>
> If we want to do it and everyone thinks stackexchange is accessible 
> enough for this we start here
>
> http://area51.stackexchange.com/faq
>
> Cheers
>
> Selwyn
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Mobile: 07979240124
> skype: selwyn_lloyd
>
> www.audazzle.com <http://www.audazzle.com/>
>
> Audazzle are developing inclusive and accessible multi-player games. 
> We hope to impact social isolation. Our aim is to make video game 
> technologies that meet diverse accessibility needs. Nobody should get 
> left out because of technology, all friends and family members should 
> be able to play games together.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 4:58 PM, <games_access-request at igda.org 
> <mailto:games_access-request at igda.org>> wrote:
>
>     Send games_access mailing list submissions to
>     games_access at igda.org <mailto:games_access at igda.org>
>
>     To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>     https://pairlist7.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>     <https://pairlist7.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access>
>     or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>     games_access-request at igda.org <mailto:games_access-request at igda.org>
>
>     You can reach the person managing the list at
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>
>     When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>     than "Re: Contents of games_access digest..."
>
>
>     Today's Topics:
>
>        1. Accessibility surveys (Ian Hamilton)
>        2. Re: games_access Digest, Vol 163, Issue 6 (Luke BROOK)
>
>
>     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>     Message: 1
>     Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:58:31 +0000
>     From: Ian Hamilton <i_h at hotmail.com <mailto:i_h at hotmail.com>>
>     To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
>     <games_access at igda.org <mailto:games_access at igda.org>>
>     Subject: [games_access] Accessibility surveys
>     Message-ID:
>            
>     <HE1P192MB017132AC6F7DD194B88ADBEC91200 at HE1P192MB0171.EURP192.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM
>     <mailto:HE1P192MB017132AC6F7DD194B88ADBEC91200 at HE1P192MB0171.EURP192.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>>
>
>     Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
>     These seem to be happening semi regularly at the moment, here's
>     one from a group of Italian students:
>
>     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7Xr3dDkw0qUUhKobE-YR-yseky-QpxzZBNAwgxvMM-GBcWw/viewform
>     <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7Xr3dDkw0qUUhKobE-YR-yseky-QpxzZBNAwgxvMM-GBcWw/viewform>
>
>     And another from one of Ubisoft's teams:
>
>     https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQwov1EFQ_jkBI2w7SJDhgITMrZZ6obAkUnCAVLK8kRZ5n-w/viewform
>     <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQwov1EFQ_jkBI2w7SJDhgITMrZZ6obAkUnCAVLK8kRZ5n-w/viewform>
>
>     Ian
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>     ------------------------------
>
>     Message: 2
>     Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2017 09:13:19 +0800
>     From: Luke BROOK <l.brook at ecu.edu.au <mailto:l.brook at ecu.edu.au>>
>     To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
>     <games_access at igda.org <mailto:games_access at igda.org>>
>     Subject: Re: [games_access] games_access Digest, Vol 163, Issue 6
>     Message-ID: <0D975D15-1C48-44FD-95E1-8138E0FBA3C3 at ecu.edu.au
>     <mailto:0D975D15-1C48-44FD-95E1-8138E0FBA3C3 at ecu.edu.au>>
>     Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
>     Hi all,
>
>     Its interesting this has come up- and I?d like to contribute to
>     the discussion if that?s ok.
>
>     I?ve recently completed my PhD research, which focused on
>     identifying a means of facilitating the development of accessible
>     games for the deaf and hard of hearing. I?ve spoken to Ian
>     previously about my research, which involved the development of a
>     web-based accessibility feedback tool similar to what you have
>     discussed below.
>
>     My thinking was along the lines of providing an automated tool to
>     aid in assessing hearing accessibility, and provide a report of
>     potential solutions based upon the results of the assessment.
>
>     To develop the tool, I first developed a means of identifying and
>     classifying the individual visual and audio feedback elements in
>     games- which was a mammoth task given the various genres,
>     platforms, design choices etc. The reason for this was that while
>     while the GAG and Includification guidelines do provide excellent
>     generalised recommendations for using alternative forms of
>     feedback to audio, they don?t describe technical implementation
>     (nor were they ever intended to).
>
>     By reviewing numerous games, and identifying the various forms of
>     audiovisual feedback, we were able to identify commonly used
>     visual feedback elements used to complement specific categories of
>     audio feedback. For example-
>
>     [cid:A6716982-7783-4488-B3A2-3F84D53DC21D at gateway]
>
>     The above is a small snippet of a much larger table, which
>     encompasses several categories. The table classifies the various
>     forms of visual and auditory feedback used in games, and common
>     methods for technical implementation. Each is accompanied with
>     descriptive examples for implementation in different genres.
>
>     Using these results, we developed a web-based accessibility
>     feedback tool, specifically for assessing and gauging the level of
>     hearing accessibility in games. The tool included:
>
>       *   A front end web-form with questions related to the design of
>     the game
>       *   A DB populated with the findings of the audio/visual
>     feedback data
>       *   A reporting system which produced a document with
>     recommendations for visual elements which could be implemented to
>     complement specific forms of audio feedback
>
>     The questions for the form were derived directly from guidelines
>     and previous academic research. The questions used were fairly low
>     level. For example, the first question was based upon
>     Includification's baby-friendly test:
>     1. Does the game use audio feedback?
>     1.1 IF no End
>     1.2 ELSE continue
>     2. Can the game be played by the intended target audience, with
>     the audio muted, with no adverse impact on gameplay or user
>     experience?
>     3. Is audio feedback used for X category of game sound?
>     4. Is the audio feedback represented in an alternative form of
>     visual feedback?
>     etc.
>
>     The web-tool went through several iterations, and we had varied
>     levels of success.
>
>     From the findings, we found that an automated approach could be
>     used to provide a basic level of assessment. However, the tool
>     lacked specificity and flexibility. For example, there are certain
>     aspects which cannot be currently simulated which are critical to
>     assessing accessibility, such as user testing to gauge the impact
>     of specific game sounds on user experience. In addition, the
>     person conducting the test would need to have some underlying
>     knowledge of the target audience?s needs and (dis)abilities (i.e.
>     textual feedback is unsuitable for young children, especially
>     considering the symptomatic delay in expressive and communication
>     skills, which often extends to reading comprehension).
>
>     Based on these findings, we ended up developing a new game
>     assessment framework instead. The iterative framework is a
>     three-step process, which can be integrated into both prescriptive
>     design approaches and adaptive/iterative design approaches (to
>     accommodate both mainstream development and indie development).
>     The framework can be used during development, or to assess a
>     completed game, and includes user testing to evaluate the impact
>     of game sounds.
>
>     I?d be happy to share my findings if it will help with the
>     development of your own tool? My thesis is currently undergoing
>     examination, and I should be able to share the final publication
>     with you in the next couple of months if that suits.
>
>     Thanks,
>
>     Luke
>
>     Luke Brook
>     PhD Candidate | Lecturer Games & Interactivity
>     School of Arts and Humanities | Edith Cowan University
>     2 Bradford Street, Mt Lawley, Western Australia - 6050
>     Phone: (+61) 401 904 671 | Email: l.brook at ecu.edu.au
>     <mailto:l.brook at ecu.edu.au><mailto:l.brook at ecu.edu.au
>     <mailto:l.brook at ecu.edu.au>>
>
>     On 10 Mar 2017, at 5:54 am, Ian Hamilton <i_h at hotmail.com
>     <mailto:i_h at hotmail.com><mailto:i_h at hotmail.com
>     <mailto:i_h at hotmail.com>>> wrote:
>
>
>     How about just a third party tool as an initial MVP to test the
>     waters with - e.g. google form+sheet?
>
>     Still need to get the round tablers who wanted email sign-up added
>     to the system, would definitely be worth bringing up again once
>     both Karen and James are on the list as they both seemed pretty keen.
>
>     Ian
>
>
>
>     On Thu, Mar 9, 2017 at 9:25 PM +0000, "Mathias Nordvall"
>     <mathias.nordvall at liu.se
>     <mailto:mathias.nordvall at liu.se><mailto:mathias.nordvall at liu.se
>     <mailto:mathias.nordvall at liu.se>>> wrote:
>
>     If this gets formulated in such a way that it could somehow also
>     be used for research as well I'm sure that a university, for
>     example mine, could host it on our servers
>
>     On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 at 22:09, <games_access-request at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access-request at igda.org><mailto:games_access-request at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access-request at igda.org>>> wrote:
>     Send games_access mailing list submissions to
>     games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org><mailto:games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org>>
>
>     To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>     https://pairlist7.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>     <https://pairlist7.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access>
>     or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>     games_access-request at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access-request at igda.org><mailto:games_access-request at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access-request at igda.org>>
>
>     You can reach the person managing the list at
>     games_access-owner at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access-owner at igda.org><mailto:games_access-owner at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access-owner at igda.org>>
>
>     When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>     than "Re: Contents of games_access digest..."
>
>
>     Today's Topics:
>
>        1. Accessibility Feedback Tool (Gemma Thomson)
>        2. Re: Accessibility Feedback Tool (Chad Philip Johnson)
>
>
>     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>     Message: 1
>     Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2017 16:13:44 +0100
>     From: "Gemma Thomson" <gemma at kaludoscope.com
>     <mailto:gemma at kaludoscope.com><mailto:gemma at kaludoscope.com
>     <mailto:gemma at kaludoscope.com>>>
>     To: <games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org><mailto:games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org>>>
>     Subject: [games_access] Accessibility Feedback Tool
>     Message-ID: <006f01d298e7$bee3e780$3cabb680$@kaludoscope.com
>     <http://kaludoscope.com><http://kaludoscope.com/
>     <http://kaludoscope.com/>>>
>     Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>     Hello all,
>
>
>
>     Further to the SIG roundtable at GDC (and in the sincere hopes I'm not
>     jumping any guns here), I'd like to follow up in regard to the
>     notion of an
>     accessibility feedback tool. For those who weren't present: a few
>     of us got
>     to talking about a feedback form and/or database of accessibility
>     feedback,
>     flowing from game players to game developers and publishers. A few
>     ideas
>     flew around, such as:
>
>
>
>     *       having said database hosted by this SIG, in the interest
>     of sharing
>     knowledge amongst industry;
>     *       keeping the tool open for indies and large studios alike
>     by way of
>     an easy deployment tool (examples might include presskit()
>     <http://dopresskit.com/> or distribute() <https://dodistribute.com/> ,
>     primarily from Vlambeer)
>     *       having this start as a relatively small-scale project, not
>     least to
>     ascertain how much work it would actually take to maintain.
>
>
>
>     As a relative newcomer to the SIG and this mailing list I'm not
>     entirely
>     sure how these things are usually done, but if there's a project
>     team to be
>     made then I'd like to help where I can, and lend some 'indie'
>     input! Perhaps
>     a bunch of us could get together in a Slack channel or something?
>
>
>
>     Also as I say, I apologise if I've jumped a gun and there are perhaps
>     minutes from the roundtable yet to come.
>
>
>
>     Thanks!
>
>     ~ Gemma
>
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>     ------------------------------
>
>     Message: 2
>     Date: Thu, 9 Mar 2017 13:08:43 -0800
>     From: Chad Philip Johnson <chad at anacronist.com
>     <mailto:chad at anacronist.com><mailto:chad at anacronist.com
>     <mailto:chad at anacronist.com>>>
>     To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
>     <games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org><mailto:games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org>>>
>     Subject: Re: [games_access] Accessibility Feedback Tool
>     Message-ID: <fceaaf5b-971c-0a8f-8db0-99f2c52df4dd at anacronist.com
>     <mailto:fceaaf5b-971c-0a8f-8db0-99f2c52df4dd at anacronist.com><mailto:fceaaf5b-971c-0a8f-8db0-99f2c52df4dd at anacronist.com
>     <mailto:fceaaf5b-971c-0a8f-8db0-99f2c52df4dd at anacronist.com>>>
>     Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"; Format="flowed"
>
>     Hi Gemma,
>
>     Most people at the roundtable seemed to be in support of this idea, so
>     it's great that you brought it up on the mailing list.
>
>     As I see it, the main hurdles seem to be:  1) finding (or possibly
>     developing) web software that would serve this purpose, 2)
>     infrastructure, and 3) having somebody to service requests and perform
>     ongoing maintenance.  Assuming we would eventually get past hurdles 1
>     and 2, it's the day to day stuff that is probably the biggest concern.
>
>     It might be possible to design the system in a way where minimal
>     oversight is required.  For example, developers and publishers request
>     an account and then maintain all of their own feedback. If done a
>     certain way, this wouldn't create a great deal of additional work for
>     the SIG and its members.
>
>     Regarding infrastructure, we are in the process of moving
>     igda-gasig.org <http://igda-gasig.org><http://igda-gasig.org/
>     <http://igda-gasig.org/>>
>     to the IGDA servers.  While the available resources will be
>     greater than
>     what we currently have, I don't really know about the bandwidth,
>     software packages, hosting options, etc. that will be available to us.
>     Ian, Thomas and I were discussing this somewhat recently. There is an
>     additional difficulty in that we must make all technical requests
>     to the
>     person who administers the IGDA servers, which means that we don't
>     have
>     direct access to this infrastructure.  So hopefully there are some
>     gains
>     to be made here.  I will send off an email tonight to stir up some
>     dialog (I've been meaning to do it anyway).
>
>     Beyond all of that, we would just need to come up with an overall
>     design
>     for this feedback tool that would be reasonable and also serve its
>     intended purpose.  As you mentioned, scheduling an online chat and
>     hammering out some of the details may be a good place to start.
>
>     Chad Philip Johnson
>     Anacronist Software
>
>     On 03/09/2017 07:13 AM, Gemma Thomson wrote:
>     >
>     > Hello all,
>     >
>     > Further to the SIG roundtable at GDC (and in the sincere hopes
>     I?m not
>     > jumping any guns here), I?d like to follow up in regard to the
>     notion
>     > of an accessibility feedback tool. For those who weren?t present: a
>     > few of us got to talking about a feedback form and/or database of
>     > accessibility feedback, flowing from game players to game developers
>     > and publishers. A few ideas flew around, such as:
>     >
>     >   * having said database hosted by this SIG, in the interest of
>     >     sharing knowledge amongst industry;
>     >   * keeping the tool open for indies and large studios alike by
>     way of
>     >     an easy deployment tool (examples might include presskit()
>     >     <http://dopresskit.com/> or distribute()
>     >     <https://dodistribute.com/>, primarily from Vlambeer)
>     >   * having this start as a relatively small-scale project, not least
>     >     to ascertain how much work it would actually take to maintain.
>     >
>     > As a relative newcomer to the SIG and this mailing list I?m not
>     > entirely sure how these things are usually done, but if there?s a
>     > project team to be made then I?d like to help where I can, and lend
>     > some ?indie? input! Perhaps a bunch of us could get together in a
>     > Slack channel or something?
>     >
>     > Also as I say, I apologise if I?ve jumped a gun and there are
>     perhaps
>     > minutes from the roundtable yet to come.
>     >
>     > Thanks!
>     >
>     > ~ Gemma
>     >
>     >
>     >
>     > _______________________________________________
>     > games_access mailing list
>     > games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org><mailto:games_access at igda.org
>     <mailto:games_access at igda.org>>
>     > https://pairlist7.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>     <https://pairlist7.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access>
>     > The main SIG website page is
>     http://igda-gasig.org<http://igda-gasig.org/ <http://igda-gasig.org/>>
>
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>     http://igda-gasig.org<http://igda-gasig.org/ <http://igda-gasig.org/>>
>
>     ------------------------------
>
>     End of games_access Digest, Vol 163, Issue 6
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