Grounded Theory of Accessible Game Development

Kulik, Jozef; Beeston, Jen; Cairns, Paul

doi:10.1145/3472538.3472567

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…One of the potential ways of including the voices and feedback of people with disabilities in the game design and game development process is, therefore, through frequent testing and concordant inclusion of their feedback and accessibility needs in new prototypes [23,24], even from an early stage [25].…”

Section: Accessible Games and Playtesting Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing and Validating a Qualitative Tool for Playtesting Service Learning-Based Accessible Games: A Comprehensive Approach

Neves,

Sousa,

Casimirio

2024

EAI Endorsed Trans Creat Tech

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INTRODUCTION: The complex accessibility needs of some players and, in particular, of people with Intellectual Disability (pwID) require greater attention from research due to the lack of tools to support playtesting, particularly those of a qualitative nature and suited to their diversity of experiences and motor and cognitive characteristics. OBJECTIVES: Recognizing the scarcity of research in media production, particularly games, the study pursues three objectives: firstly, to describe the accessible games developed through a multi-year service learning project involving students from the Videogames Bachelor’s Degree and pwID; secondly, to approach the validation of the Gaming Observation Grid (GOG), a qualitative tool for playtesting sessions; and thirdly, to reflect on service learning as a strategy for bridging the gap between academia and civil society in the context of game design. METHODS: The research employed a qualitative media ethnography-based approach involving students from the Videogames Bachelor's Degree. Over a span of three years and six consecutive semesters, 59 students actively participated in a service learning project, engaging with pwID and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the field. All playtesting activities’ observations were based on GOG, with a total of 273 observed gaming sessions. RESULTS: The development of 18 videogames, spanning diverse genres and themes, prioritized accessibility based on adjustment settings. GOG emerged as a tailored and feasible instrument, valuable in the broader landscape of inclusive game development. In terms of service-learning outcomes, results highlight students' reflections on the real-world impact of game design and development, underscoring the pedagogical value of service learning in bridging theoretical knowledge and practical application. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the critical need for enhanced research attention to the complex accessibility requirements of players, particularly pw ID, while emphasizing the relevance of qualitative playtesting tools tailored to their diverse experiences and cognitive-motor characteristics, as well as the inherent value of the experience for the students involved.

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Section: Accessible Games and Playtesting Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing and Validating a Qualitative Tool for Playtesting Service Learning-Based Accessible Games: A Comprehensive Approach

Neves,

Sousa,

Casimirio

2024

EAI Endorsed Trans Creat Tech

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Accessibility is a crucial dimension of game design, with complex discussions surrounding studio and design practices to make games more accessible for players with varying needs [40]. Difficulty has, recently, been at the heart of social media and industry discussions [16][48] [55] thanks to the release of Elden Ring, a new game in the Soulsborne series (in the continuity of FromSoftware's Bloodborne and Dark Souls) franchise of notorious difficulty that has almost become its own genre, 'Souls-like' [32][54].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games

2022

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Failure constitutes a key mechanic in video games, playing into player experience jointly with questions of challenge and difficulty. While research has started to investigate the effect of failure on the player's experience, it has so far overlooked the design intents and decisions behind its implementation. We interviewed 13 game designers who shared their experiences of reflecting upon and designing failure in a range of commercial titles. Their insights point towards two-sided considerations: the constraints around which designers must design experiences of failure, imposed by a game's production context and industry expectations, and the creative decisions made to work into, or around, those constraints. We find that our participants suggest a re-evaluation of the role of failure in video games, in the player's experience, and in the gaming culture. Our findings raise questions about the underlying values games may communicate through the mechanic and experience of failure, the role of narrative design in resolving possible dissonances, and the communication pipeline between game designers and players; and point towards future avenues for games research to further support game designers. CCS CONCEPTS• Applied Computing • Computing in other domains • Personal Computers and PC applications • Computer Games.

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