When Aaron Vernon embarked on creating Land of Livia, little did he know that it would evolve into one of Apple App Store’s most inclusive games. His journey began as a passion project while juggling tech gigs in New York, aiming to break away from the exploitative practices rampant in mobile gaming.
“I started receiving feedback from blind players who found the game via AppleVis,”
recalls Vernon.
“They mentioned its accessibility and provided valuable suggestions for improvement. The heartfelt responses fueled my dedication.”
Over almost a decade, Vernon’s creation garnered recognition, standing out as the sole Australian finalist in the prestigious Apple Design Awards’ accessibility category this year. Despite losing to Art of Fauna, an Austrian puzzle game, this achievement shines brightly amidst fierce competition in the mobile gaming arena.
Accessibility is gaining traction within the gaming industry as studios increasingly embrace inclusivity if financially feasible. With the average gamer age globally at 35 and user demographics evolving, major companies are prioritizing accessibility features to cater to diverse player needs.
Valve and Nintendo are notable examples of this shift towards inclusivity. Valve introduced various accessibility features such as screen readers and adjustable UI sizes, while Nintendo revamped its approach with Switch 2 by incorporating text-to-speech capabilities and customizable display settings.
Although lagging behind in some gaming aspects, Apple has distinguished itself through a commitment to device-wide accessibility enhancements that have resonated well with gamers. Developers like Vernon capitalized on this ecosystem advantage by integrating innovative solutions seamlessly into their games.
Vernon emphasizes embedding accessibility within core design principles rather than treating it as an afterthought:
“Incorporating Voiceover support was just the beginning; we tailored high-contrast interfaces and font adjustments for low vision users. Our focus on accommodating diverse needs sets us apart.”
Balancing gameplay challenge with accessibility poses a unique design challenge: ensuring rewarding experiences without compromising difficulty levels. Engaging beta testers and community feedback is pivotal for achieving this equilibrium and crafting meaningful inclusive experiences.
However, despite technological advancements enabling accessible features, there remains a content gap in designing games with inclusivity at their foundation from inception. Retrofitting solutions post-launch falls short of addressing fundamental needs across genres like puzzles, RPGs, and action games.
Keirron Stach underscores the delicate balance between meeting player expectations and financial constraints faced by indie developers striving for greater inclusivity:
“While implementing universal design elements may not always yield immediate financial returns, focusing on ‘easy wins’ can enhance overall user experience.”
Vernon advocates for proving the commercial viability of inclusive design through initiatives like Land of Livia that target discerning players seeking accessible gaming experiences:
“The demand for such games exists among dedicated users willing to navigate barriers; demonstrating success could drive broader industry adoption.”
Looking ahead, both Vernon and Stach envision a future where accessibility is ingrained in every stage of game development processes: fostering product enhancement and market expansion simultaneously. They anticipate streamlined tools that empower developers to prioritize inclusivity seamlessly from project initiation onwards.
In conclusion,
the evolution towards universal access is slow but steadily progressing within the gaming landscape – ushering an era where everyone can partake in immersive gameplay experiences irrespective of individual circumstances or abilities.
