Hey Guys!
It has been a while but I figured I would stop in for an update! Things are going good over at Game Informer, but getting used to working a 9-5 (actually a 10-7) takes some time! I am flying out to San Diego next week for THQ Gamers Day and Vegas a few weeks after that for Midway Gamers Day. I am UBER excited to go to my first official event and am honing my skills in the mean time.
I posted a pretty big feature yesterday and today that some of you might be interested in. I have wanted to write an article about accessible gaming and the changes developers can make to increase the number of people able to game for some time now. At GI I finally got the chance! I worked my butt off for two weeks, doing interviews, researching and gathering assets and just finished the last part today. The post is LONG but I think it is worth it to read. There is virtually a whole demographic of gamers out there that we are failing to include in the development process. Anyway, read it and let me know what you think! I also got to do the artwork for the feature on the main page which is fun…I don’t want my graphic design skills to get rusty!!
Last week I wrote a feature on why we replay games, which was a chance to try out something a bit more relaxed and fun...I had a good time with that one! I also *GASP* wrote an article on cosplay my first week...imagine that! LOL
I also did a few previews in the last few weeks, one for The World Ends With You and another for Mario Kart Wii. Both games were fun! Previews are defiantly a different style of writing for me, but I am enjoying learning how to best go about it. Anyway…
On a personal level, I am going to a fun anime convention next weekend, one day as a female version of Mario and the second day as Mamimi from FLCL with a few friends. I am excited to cosplay because I feel like it has been forever! Another local comic convention is coming up as well and I am finishing my Elektra costume and my Zatanna costume…EXCITED!
I just wanted to stop in and say hi and assure you all that I did not drop off the face of the planet. I am bummed I don’t have as much free time anymore, but I still lurk and know what you guys are up to…LOL
Let me know what you all thought about the Accessibility feature!
Accessibility Part One
Accessibility Part Two
Accessibility Why Do We Replay Games?
Cosplay Feature
The World Ends With You Preview
Mario Kart Wii Preview 
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Maybe?
@Zombie, yes...sans 'Stache!
@Tragic: No way! GI is great, I get to propose ideas for stories and if they fly I get to go with my take on them. It is nice because I get to keep my personality. I might be getting to do more with politics and such because that has always been an interest of mine!!
Anyway, I worked with many physically and mentally disabled people in my life and seeing a videogame article dedicated to people with disabilities makes me happy. I remember EGM did an article on a expert Mortal Kombat player who played the game entirely based on sound. It was impressive.
Anyways, good luck with your job and I hope to hear from you again.
also, i totally hate you for playing The World Ends With You
o_0
Keep up the awesome work as always.
Accessibility I:
I noticed that there wasn't a consistent use of the terms "closed-captioning" and "subtitles". The way it was described to me was subtitles are used when there's a language difference like watching anime with the japanese audio turned on. Closed-captioning, while containing the dialogue of the characters, also contains audio cues like *twig snapping*. I think the distinction should be made because developers might get lazy and say they have accessibility options when all they have are language localizations.
"High levels of accessibility go hand in hand with high levels of usability"
I'm going to have to disagree with this statement. Take for example the option on many operating systems that let you set the contrast of the interface. It could make it very easy for someone with a disability to use the system but an average person's eyes would hurt after extended periods of use. There are definitely cases where they work well together but I don't think that improving accessibility in games will always produce a net benefit the other gamers.
Accessibility II:
The "open framework" idea is very interesting. The only problem I could see with that is the licensing issues when it comes to certain technologies. Microsoft I know requires you to pay them extra for using their wireless technology. A restriction that might be a deterrent to smaller hardware developers attempting to make accessible hardware.
Replay Games:
Last one I promise. ;)
It was kind of weird reading your quote for Reason 5 when it was your own article. How did you decided whether or not to go that way?
@Power-Glove: That rocks that you saw it before I linked to it! I am happy you liked it, I think it went over well with the accessibility community also!!
@Hamza…Yes, I missed them. Links please???
@Nick: See you this week then!!!
@s0le: Yep, Heckendorn is going to have that specific controller mass produced. How great is that?!?!
@Sharpless: Same attitude that the guys have at work…I swear they think I have no life outside of cosplay…LOL
@Phamtq: thanks for the comments and bringing that stuff to my attention! As far as the closed-captioning / subtitles switch off, I guess technically I should use one or the other. The accessibility community uses both of them, so I did also!
As for the "High levels of accessibility go hand in hand with high levels of usability" bit, I was implying that having the accessibility options present raise the levels of usability. In the example you gave, I agree – having the contrast set up high would hurt the eyes of someone without eye problems – however having the option to adjust the setting if you need to raises accessibility and usability. You may not choose to use the feature on a daily basis, but if for example, your cats break your blinds and you have to turn up the contrast so that you can see the screen till they are fixed (yes, this has happened to me) then having the option to adjust the screen makes the game more usable for you! It is much better than not being able to play!
And yes, I know it was kinda strange that I used my own quote in my article…no one else was in the office to give me another quote! LOL
Thanks to everyone who read my stuff!!!