Kara Salters, Jonathan Lindefjeld, Leire Varo Marina, Martina Gueci, Marcello Persico, Nuria Bouhdid Lozano
There's a large societal gap between the sighted and the visually impaired, especially in the realm of entertainment. This is particularly noticeable with hands-on games; very few are accessible for those with diverse abilities. Furthermore, even among accessible games, many fail to provide an engaging experience for all players. Shouldn’t everyone have an equal opportunity to enjoy and participate in games, regardless of visual ability?
BRIGHT was born from this ambition, to foster an inclusive environment where players can come together across different abilities. It demonstrates how games can be designed to promote inclusivity without sacrificing complexity or excitement.
Experiences and perceptions shape people's decisions, influencing how they respond to different environments and situations. With this in mind, we set out to design a game that nurtures communication between different target groups by creating a comfortable environment for some while challenging the comfort zone of others.
With the visually impaired as our main target group, our design approach focused on their needs. Choices such as the use of strong colours and high contrast were implemented while maintaining coherence and cohesion throughout the game. The integration of tactile and auditory cues is essential to accomplish BRIGHT's vision. BRIGHT's design process reflects constant societal change and shifting ideas. Through multiple iterations and prototypes, we created a product which fits market needs, with multiple future possibilities for change.
Moreover, BRIGHT promotes inclusivity and helps break down barriers in entertainment by offering equal opportunities to a wide range of participants. BRIGHT unites different communities by allowing interaction between users with differing abilities.
Even though we aimed to design an all-inclusive product, the current version has limitations for hearing-impaired users and those with other physical disabilities. However, we see many opportunities to enhance its inclusiveness. Furthermore, it has the potential to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the visually impaired. Ultimately, BRIGHT can inspire other creators on the importance of inclusivity in the entertainment industry and expand opportunities for minorities with disabilities.
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