Ben Bayliss Profile picture
Jun 14, 2018 13 tweets 10 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
As a deaf gamer I see a fair amount of #gamedevelopment questions asking how #gamedev's can support the #deaf and #HardofHearing folk.

I've got a few ideas and of course anyone else with ideas can reply to this or share it.
#accessibility #gaming #videogames
• Directional Waveform HUD

A toggle feature which could hover over the player. Whichever way the audio is coming from the waveform reacts. Would be no different to hearing directional footsteps. Perhaps a The Division tracking HUD for inspiration?

Example with #Fortnite
• Vignette Cues

Could get mistaken for health depletion, but this could indicate sound in specific games. Perhaps a horror/thriller.

An example in the bottom left, ideally, it would follow the audio around the screen. Although maybe not in front of the player.
• Controller Vibration

While vibrations are used for what the protagonist feels (impacts, heartbeat, etc) this could be implemented for nearby sounds. Gentle rumbles for a timid growl, patterned rumbles for footsteps, heavy rumble for large roars.
• Directional Icons

Similar to the Directional Waveform HUD idea above, but using icons to illustrate sounds. Feet for footsteps (Similar to what Fortnite did for on-the-go gamers — not deaf ones hah) guns for gunshots, cars for...cars.
• Targeted Subtitles

Imagine looking in any direction and having a subtitle to subtly list what is in that direction? Only good for seeing what's ahead of you though as listing everything around a player would get confusing.
• Custom Subtitles

Subtitles are always a HUGE help, especially when they describe sounds as well as dialogue. However, please implement options to customise subtitles.

Opague background - Transparent background - Bold text - large text - medium text - etc.
• Hold to Listen Button

A system that requires a character to focus on audio could be good, either illustrated by icons, subtitles, or a directional waveform. Would work well with focus systems or those fancy view systems.
That's all I can think off for now. Be sure to RT this if you wish to help spread the ideas to other developers and possibly help developers overcome these obstacles.

#indiedev #gamedev #gamedevelopment #videogames #gaming #gamer #deaf #deafness #accessibility #indiegames
@rikkipoynter @DeafGamersTV

Any ideas on what you'd like to see? :D
*Finds the generic "going viral" script.

Erm, well this blew up. Go chec...nah, just take the ideas and make them into your own. Let me know if you ever implement them or systems similar. DM's are always open.
Don't worry, I know it isn't "viral" but it is getting a good amount of attention, I'd like to see the ideas implemented, and if anyone does, as I said, let me know.

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