For “Inclusive Game Design” we had to implement changes in the game to make it more accessible for people with disabilities.
I’ve identified the following problems with the original game:
- PROBLEM: The colors, shape and size of the items on the screen are not the best for the visually impaired. Reference/source:
- SOLUTION: Add color and size settings to the game, as proposed in the following article:
- IMPLEMENTATION: I created a settings menu that allows the user to:
- Change the shape, color and size of the paddles, ball and text.
- Change the overall color scheme of the game for the color blind.
- RE-BALANCE GAME: I made the computer slower when the paddle size increases, forecasting that the bigger paddle size indicates some kind of motion impairment.
- PROBLEM: The speed of the game can be an issue for the motion or learning impaired. Reference/source:
- Designing Usable and Accessible Games with Interaction Design Patterns – Eelke Folmer.
- Interaction Design Patterns – Slow.
- SOLUTION: Allow user to change the speed of the game and skill level of computer, as proposed in the following article:
- Interaction Design Patterns – Adaptive Difficulty Levels
- IMPLEMENTATION: I created a settings menu that allows the user to:
- Adjust the speed of the ball.
- Adjust the speed of the computer player.
- RE-BALANCE GAME: Adjusted the skill level settings of the computer player and limited how fast and how slow the game can be set to.
- PROBLEM: There is no audio feedback for the learning or visually impaired. Reference/source:
- Guidelines for developing accessible games – Use explicit auditory feedback and rewards.
- SOLUTION: Add sounds that indicate game play events, as proposed in the following article:
- AUDIO GAMES: FUN FOR ALL? ALL FOR FUN? – Sue Targett and Mikael Fernström
- IMPLEMENTATION: Add sounds
- Game begins
- Ball hitting the paddle
- Player scores
- Game ends
- RE-BALANCE GAME: Tested different sounds to see which one would fit the game play.
- PROBLEM: The game can only be played with the mouse which could be a problem for the motion impaired. Reference/source:
- SOLUTION: Allow the game to be played with a different input device, as proposed in the following article:
- Guidelines for developing accessible games – Allow for alternative controls
- IMPLEMENTATION: Added keyboard control to the game allowing the user to change what keys to be used to move the paddle up or down.
- RE-BALANCE GAME: Adjusted how fast the paddle moves with the keys pressed.
- PROBLEM: The game has no instructions or a pause when a player scores which could be a problem for the learning or motion impaired. Reference/source:
- Interaction Design Patters – Tutorial Agent.
- SOLUTION: Provide instructions for the user, as proposed in the following article:
- Interaction Design Patters – Tutorial Agent.
- IMPLEMENTATION: Added a start screen with instructions and a pause screen in between scores.
- RE-BALANCE GAME: Added a counter to start the game once the user clicks to start/continue.
Now have to dive into the code to make all this work 🙂