**Accessible Gaming Milestone: Periphery Synthetic Breaks Barriers**
Periphery Synthetic, a nonviolent space exploration game, has made waves in the gaming community by offering a unique auditory experience that can be played without seeing the screen. Developed by shiftBacktick, this game is a prime example of how accessibility can be achieved in the gaming industry.
Periphery Synthetic’s soundscape is designed to create a navigable and relaxing experience for players. The game’s use of over 100 simultaneous and unique sounds allows players to navigate through the game world without relying on visuals. This feature has been praised by blind players and developers alike, who see it as a significant breakthrough in accessibility.
Accessibility is not just about making games playable for blind players; it’s about creating a more inclusive gaming experience for all. As Chris Leech, a psychology PhD researcher, points out, “Many visual conditions mean people can see shapes, blurs, or lights. Vision – the light your eyes process and how your brain perceives and translates this – is, unsurprisingly, really complicated.”
Key Features of Accessibility
* Easily navigable interfaces
* Integrated screen readers
* Audio description to add context to the game’s visuals
* Robust, parameterized soundscape
Periphery Synthetic is not the only game to prioritize accessibility. Other games, such as The Last of Us Part 1, Mortal Kombat 1, and Forza Motorsport, have also made significant strides in this area. However, more work needs to be done to make accessibility a standard feature in the gaming industry.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it’s essential that accessibility remains a top priority. By incorporating accessibility features into games, developers can create a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for all players. As Chris Leech so eloquently puts it, “I don’t think it’s a lot to ask to let us enjoy our video games in peace. Just like everyone else.”