Necrozius
Legendary Pubber
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2017
- Messages
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Hello!
This is a sensitive issue and it is quite easy to accidentally offend or upset people. If I do, I apologize in advance: my intentions are good ones.
I've decided to merge my 2 passions: tabletop gaming and accessibility and user experience design. What does that mean?
I want to promote better design in our hobby. I'm not talking about game design or campaign writing. I'm referring to how these products are constructed and presented to people; how easily they're consumed , used and experienced.
It's also about inclusive design. That means keeping in mind people with different disabilities. This isn't about checking off some "inclusivity" box; I want to help bring gaming to everyone.
Here are examples, big and small, of designs that I've been concerned about:
How you can help
I invite people to please share any of the following information:
If I get anywhere, I'll do a follow up to ask permission to use these stories in my research.
Thank you so much!
This is a sensitive issue and it is quite easy to accidentally offend or upset people. If I do, I apologize in advance: my intentions are good ones.
I've decided to merge my 2 passions: tabletop gaming and accessibility and user experience design. What does that mean?
I want to promote better design in our hobby. I'm not talking about game design or campaign writing. I'm referring to how these products are constructed and presented to people; how easily they're consumed , used and experienced.
It's also about inclusive design. That means keeping in mind people with different disabilities. This isn't about checking off some "inclusivity" box; I want to help bring gaming to everyone.
Here are examples, big and small, of designs that I've been concerned about:
- no click-able links in the index of a PDF rulebook
- Huge PDF file size (slow loading and interactions at the table)
- crucial rules hidden inside of huge blocks of fluff text (a lack of bolding or use of headings)
- Confusing, poorly organised and overly elaborate rulebooks (I'm looking at you, FFG)
- Artwork that either doesn't represent the subject matter at all or even misrepresents important information
- A dice mechanic where players must differentiate between two dice solely by colour (frustrating the colour blind)
- Printing rules in such a small or unintelligible font family that people have to turn on extra lighting or slow down the game while trying to decipher it
- Printing maps with such low contrast that tiny but crucial details are missed
- Character sheets that are pretty but overly complicated or difficult to scan quickly in the heat of a battle scene
- Not having wheelchair ramps at a gaming conventions (an obvious one)
How you can help
I invite people to please share any of the following information:
- example(s) of a good design you've noticed and appreciated (rulebook, components, convention experiences etc)
- example(s) of bad designs you've experienced: things that frustrated you, confused you or flat out prevented you from enjoying a game product
- Whether you consider yourself as having a constraint or a disability of some kind that caused you some grief in gaming. Examples:
- Older hardware (eg. Limited technology)
- Spacial constraints (small table area)
- Colour blindness
- Impeded vision or poor lighting
- Mobility
- Deafness
- Cognition (eg. dyslexia)
If I get anywhere, I'll do a follow up to ask permission to use these stories in my research.
Thank you so much!
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