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| Source: Yahoo Finance |
Video game developers have increasingly prioritized accessibility features in their games to make them more inclusive. From color correction settings for color blindness to sensitivity adjustments for those with motor control issues, these features have made gaming more accessible for people with disabilities. However, the latest addition to this trend takes accessibility to the next level.
Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind the popular racing simulation game Forza Motorsport, has introduced a new feature that enables blind players to race like pros. The feature, called "blind driving assists," adds audio cues to the game that allow visually impaired players to understand where they are on the track.
For sighted players, video games are primarily a visual experience, so it can be difficult to comprehend how those with little or no vision can enjoy racing simulations. However, as Brandon Cole, Turn 10's accessibility consultant, who has been blind from birth, notes, all blind people have experienced driving in a car from the passenger seat. Forza takes this experience a step further by putting blind players behind the wheel.
The audio cues added to Forza Motorsport include beeps, boops, and voiced prompts that inform players where they are on the track. The steering alerts are particularly clever and intuitive, as the feature pans the driving noises to the left and right, depending on how far the player drifts off the racing line. Perfectly balanced audio means the player is right on the money.
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| Source: Techspot |
While there is a learning curve to using the audio cues, blind players can eventually get used to the prompts and learn what they mean. They also have to translate the cues into inputs on the controller with the right timing. This process is similar to the visual cues that sighted players use to know when to brake, accelerate, turn, and go straight.
The sense of accomplishment that comes with mastering the use of audio cues is the same for both sighted and blind players. Cole explains that he has even achieved first place in a race against AI opponents, which felt fantastic.
Turn 10 Studios' innovative approach to making their game accessible to all players is a significant achievement. The company's blind driving assists feature is a major step forward in making video games more inclusive and demonstrates that accessibility is not an afterthought but an integral part of game development.
The introduction of audio cues to Forza Motorsport is also an excellent example of how technology can help level the playing field for people with disabilities. While blind players were previously unable to compete in racing simulations, this new feature opens up the game to an entirely new demographic.
In conclusion, Turn 10 Studios' "blind driving assists" feature in Forza Motorsport is a revolutionary development that makes the game more inclusive and accessible to blind players. The addition of audio cues enables visually impaired players to race like pros and demonstrates the importance of prioritizing accessibility in game development.
