Introduction
As someone who has experienced both sighted and visually impaired perspectives, I believe it is crucial for us to come together and foster an inclusive future in gaming. In order to achieve this, we need to adopt a certain mindset and take certain actions. In this blog post, I’ll discuss four key points that can help us move towards a future of excellent inclusion in gaming.
Have Respect
Respect forms the foundation of any productive conversation. We must respect each other’s experiences, opinions, and ideas. Whether we are sighted or visually impaired, each perspective brings valuable insights to the table. By acknowledging and respecting our differences, we can create a more inclusive environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
Engage in Insightful Conversations
Open-ended and insightful conversations are essential for understanding each other’s needs and desires in the gaming community. Instead of shutting down opposing viewpoints, let’s embrace discussions that encourage the sharing of ideas and perspectives. Engaging in meaningful conversations can lead to innovative solutions and pave the way for inclusive game design.
Practice Patience and Active Listening
To ensure that our arguments and feedback are persuasive, we need to exercise patience and actively listen to one another. It is important to give everyone a chance to express their thoughts and concerns fully. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by both visually impaired gamers and sighted developers. Patience and active listening create an atmosphere of empathy and collaboration, fostering a sense of unity within the gaming community.
Chill Out, but Show Up
It’s natural to feel frustrated at times, but letting our emotions overshadow our message can be counterproductive. While it’s okay to vent occasionally, constant complaining without action doesn’t yield the desired results. Instead, let’s focus on productive efforts that showcase the capabilities and potential of visually impaired gamers. Rather than merely telling sighted developers what they should do, let’s demonstrate through our accomplishments that audio games have made significant progress. Highlighting success stories like adaptations of games such as The Last Of Us 2, Mortal Kombat, and Forza Motorsport can inspire further improvements in inclusive gaming experiences.
Conclusion
Inclusion in gaming is not a one-sided task; it requires collaboration, understanding, and respect from both visually impaired gamers and sighted developers. By adopting a mindset of respect, engaging in insightful conversations, practicing patience, and demonstrating our abilities through action, we can work together towards a future that offers excellent levels of inclusion in gaming. Let’s embrace this opportunity to shape a gaming community where every player, regardless of their visual abilities, can participate fully and enjoy the wonders of immersive virtual experiences. Together, we can make gaming more accessible, diverse, and inclusive for all.