Photo credit: venturebeat.com
Good Trouble has introduced AbleToPlay, an innovative platform designed to enhance accessibility in gaming. Set to launch on March 10, it aims to assist gamers with disabilities in discovering games that cater to their specific accessibility requirements.
AbleToPlay features a unique Personalized Score system, allowing users to quickly identify games that match their individual needs and preferences. Supported by the World Institute on Disability, this platform represents a significant step forward in making gaming more inclusive, and it is currently available for early access sign-ups.
For the approximately 500 million gamers worldwide living with disabilities, determining whether a game has the necessary accessibility features can be a daunting task. This often leads to extensive research efforts, frustrating purchases, and a sense of exclusion. This issue gained recognition in 2018 when Microsoft launched the Xbox Adaptive Controller, signaling a broader commitment to accessibility in gaming.
Arman Nobari, founder of Good Trouble, embarked on this project driven by his own experiences with cancer, which inspired him to create hyper-accessible games. He expressed his desire to provide joy and escape through gaming for those who may not have access to it due to their circumstances.
“My friends in the hospital couldn’t escape with games like I could, so I set out to make games for them,” Nobari shared in a blog post. He continued by highlighting that their extensive research into the accessibility of existing games revealed a significant opportunity to enhance how players discover suitable titles.
Rather than only increasing the number of accessible games, Nobari emphasized the team’s goal to connect players with existing games tailored to their needs. This approach marked a shift in focus towards a more comprehensive and innovative solution.
“We spent a year engaging in research and development, speaking with thousands of gamers with disabilities, collaborating with game studios and publishers, and consulting major nonprofits such as the World Institute on Disabilities, Child’s Play, and Games For Change,” he explained. This collaborative effort led to the creation of a team composed of celebrated game developers, accessibility specialists, and advocates for disability rights. After extensive prototyping and feedback from the community, they finalized the platform that is set to go live.
Nobari envisions AbleToPlay as the premier resource for gamers seeking games that cater to their specific requirements. Over the next year, he hopes to demonstrate significant advancements in this mission.
“If you’re on the hunt for a new game, we aspire to be your go-to source,” Nobari stated. He indicated that they plan to expand the visibility of their accessibility scores to more platforms, facilitating an easier process for gamers to identify appropriate games with clarity and fairness. Furthermore, they intend to create new avenues for developers and publishers to engage with gamers who require accessible gaming options throughout various stages of a game’s lifecycle.
Nobari emphasized that the ultimate measure of AbleToPlay’s success will be its ability to help gamers with disabilities and their families find engaging games they love. He shared his initial mix of anxiety and excitement as they embarked on solving this complex issue, highlighting the profound impact the platform has had based on user feedback. Positive stories and testimonials have reinforced the conviction that AbleToPlay serves as a critical resource, enabling confidence and empowerment in the gaming community.
Source
venturebeat.com