The Mac-cessibility Network - News [Lioncourt.com] » Gaming

Domino Train for the iPhone adds accessibility.

Holly — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:40:32 +0000

Here at Maccessibility, we would sincerely like to thank Steven Melzer, the developer of “domino train”, for adding VoiceOver support in the latest release of his game. It is important for us to recognize and applaud developers who make the effort to make their apps accessible to those of us who are visually impaired.

Domino train is a version of mexican train for the iPhone, and it is lots of fun to play It was demoed on the most recent Screenless Switchers podcast. It costs $0.99 on the app store, and we encourage everyone who enjoys fun and addictive games to check it out.

Stem Stumper, a new and exciting accessible game

Holly — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:18:12 +0000

Ananse Productions has just released a new accessible puzzle game for IOS called Stem Stumper. The basic premise of the game is that you are Mimea, a vine who needs fertilizer to grow. You navigate around a garden, avoiding or destroying obstacles and finding and eating the fertilizer. It sounds like a simple enough premise, but it’s one of the most challenging yet addictive games I’ve seen in a while. It uses a unique combination of music and sounds to guide you around the garden. For fully sighted players there is an audio only mode as well. The game is completely compatible with voiceover, there is no need to disable it during game play. At $1.99, it is definitely worth a look. This is hopefully the first in a long line of successful games for Ananse Productions. The game is available by clicking the above link or by searching for “Stem Stumper” in the ios app store.

Shredder iOS Chess Application Gains Accessibility

Lioncourt — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Previously, we reported on a collection of chess and checkers games that had recently become accessible with VoiceOver. Now, Shredder, a chess app for iOS devices, has been updated, and among the application’s new features is accessibility support for VoiceOver. The developer notes:

Accessibility / Voice Over support for almost everything. Please provide feedback if you use this.

Shredder is available in three flavors:

Hopefully, this marks the beginning of a trend toward more accessible board games for the iOS platform.

Accessible Chess, Checkers and Variations Thereof for iOS

Lioncourt — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

iOS developer Marcel Nijman has recently updated his assortment of chess and checkers games for iOS to include VoiceOver support. Besides traditional versions, several variations, such as Chinese Chess, are available as well.

With increasing frequency, we are seeing developers implement accessibility in their iOS applications, and the result is a rich platform that blind and sighted users can share. We recommend everyone check out Marcel Nijman’s accessible games for iOS.

A Key to the iPhone – Apple Releases iOS 4.1

Cara — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:47:38 +0000

Today Apple released iOS 4.1 for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Among the improvements for Voiceover users, come not only a host of important bug fixes, such as proper editing of contact phone numbers, as well as the fact that Voiceover will now read tables in their proper order, but VO users now have very comprehensive keyboard navigation support.

Now a VO user can pair a bluetooth keyboard to their iDevice and not only use it to type and edit text, but also completely navigate and operate the device from the keyboard as well.

Thanks to users on the VIPhone list, and a bit of experimentation from us here at Maccessibility, we’ve compiled a preliminary list of keyboard commands for use with Voiceover.

• Arrow keys MOve Voiceover cursor to navigate the iPhone / iPod Touch screens

• VO-spacebar activates the current item

• VO-a reads page from current location/starting at current item

• VO-b reads page starting at the top

• VO-h activates home button

• VO-m goes to the status bar

• VO– (dash/hyphen) stops the current action such as stopping / starting media playback or hanging up a call.

• VO-s toggles speech on/off

• VO-shift-s toggles screen curtain on/off

• Left/right arrow at the same time activates/deactivates the QuickNav feature

• left-up arrow and right-up arrow cycle through the rotor settings

• Up and down arrows together activates the item like VO-spacebar

• VO-Command-left and right arrows cycle through Voiceover settings (Use VO-Command-up and down arrows to change settings)

Settings are: Use Phonetics, Use Pitch, Volume, Rate and Typing Echo

• VO-Space Bar on the Page label of a home screen advances the page. I.E. Pressing VO-Space on the ‘Page 1′ label will move to page 2

?Along with this very detailed enhancement, Safari users will note that sites now are accompanied by a sound to let the user know the progress while a site is loading. Additionally, In-page links are now announced by Voiceover, so a user can more easily understand and navigate a web page.

On the gaming side of things, Apples recently announced Game Center is also accessible to Voiceover users, opening up a whole world of possibilities and enhancements for visually impaired online gamers.

These are only a few of the updates in iOS 4.1 so please stay tuned. I’m sure we’ll find out a whole lot more very soon as well, so we’ll be sure and keep you up-to-date.

Apple’s Live Media Event Round Up and product Accessibility

Lioncourt — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:45:38 +0000

Today, Apple announced many new products at its annual September media event. Here are some highlights, with emphasis on accessibility. More details regarding access features will likely be forthcoming.

The iPod shuffle models have been physically redesigned, but still include VoiceOver navigation of their playlists and content. Buttons have been re-introduced. Pricing begins at $49 USD.
The iPod nano lineup has been drastically redesigned with a 3X3 CM touch screen and iOS-like interface. It has dropped video and camera support, but still includes VoiceOver. The nanos are available in 8 and 16GB capacities for $149 or $179 USD, respectively.
The iPod touch has been updated to a slimmer form factor, sports a retina display like its iPhone 4 cousin, includes front and rear cameras, will support FaceTime video calling, and will run iOS 4.1. Prices range from $229 for 8GB to $399 for 64GB capacities.
iTunes version 10 will be released today, with support for Apple’s new music-based social networking platform, Ping. It will be available as a free download for both Mac and Windows users.
iOS 4.1 will be released to users next week, and includes many bug fixes, including those for reported iPhone 4 proximity sensor issues, BlueTooth connectivity, and more. 4.1 includes GameCenter support for competing with friends on iOS games. The update will be available as a free update via iTunes.
iOS 4.2, the next successive update after next week’s 4.1, will arrive in November. The update will bring parity across all iOS devices. Features such as multi-tasking, folders, etc, will finally be available on the iPad. The update will also provide wireless printing from iOS devices for the first time. iOS 4.2 will be a free update for all iOS 4 capable devices, including the iPad.
The second generation AppleTV has been entirely redesigned from the ground up. It includes a much smaller form factor, support for Netflix streaming, and iTunes rentals. Episodes of television series will be offered for $.99 USD to rent on the device. Video, audio, and photographic content can be streamed directly to the AppleTV from other iOS devices, as well as from iTunes on your Mac or PC. Will the Apple TV include VOiceOver support? We don’t know for sure. When we asked Apple Accessibility, they said they could not comment on features for products that are not yet shipping. This deflection gives us hope. The AppleTV will be priced at $99 USD.

The Mac-cessibility Round Table Podcast #8 – To Script or Not, and Other Stories

Lioncourt — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:39:25 +0000

In episode #8 of the Mac-cessibility Round Table Podcast, we introduce our newest contributor, M.J. Phoenix. Our knights of the Round Table Podcast recap and discuss recent Mac-cessibility news stories, including iBooks accessibility, Adobe’s announcement for Flash and Flex accessibility on the Mac, and the recent update to Frotz for iPhone, which provided substantial accessibility enhancements. The bulk of the show is given over to a discussion of screen reader scripting, its pros and cons, and why it is not discussed widely among VoiceOver users. In a follow up show, we will be discussing this topic further with Window-Eyes script writer Jeff Bishop.

Other notes:

Cara’s pick – HeyTell for iPhone/iPod touch
Darcy’s picks – DropBox.com for Mac and the optional DropBox app for iPhone and iPod touch
Holly’s pick – The Facebook Lite web site
M.J.’s picks – iPhone/iPod touch games by Storm8
Josh’s picks – Echofon for iPhone/iPod touch (Free or Pro), the YouMail.com service, and the optional YouMail app for iPhone/iPod touch

Frotz 1.3 for iPhone Has Been Optimized for Visually Impaired Users

Lioncourt — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:51:48 +0000

Many visually impaired computer users are familiar with interactive fiction, (also known as adventure games), in which you take on the role of the main character and attempt to make your way through the obstacles, conflicts, and adventures of a given story. Given the text-based nature of this form of entertainment, they have typically been inherently accessible to the visually impaired and users of screen access solutions like VoiceOver.

Frotz for iPhone and iPod touch, provides a way to enjoy these titles, and version 1.3, just released, includes tweaks to the interface to make this app a joy to use for VoiceOver users. Additionally, the update includes font sizing and magnification options as well, furthering accessibility for low-vision users.

Frotz comes with dozens of interactive fiction titles, and is available in the AppStore for $0.99 USD. Click here to check it out!

Our thanks to Craig Smith, the developer, for his efforts in assuring a pleasant experience for blind and visually impaired users.

The Mac-cessibility Round Table Podcast #2 – Sedated

Lioncourt — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:25:13 +0000

It’s time for this month’s edition of the Mac-cessibility Round Table Podcast. This month’s episode is #2, entitled "Sedated". Josh de Lioncourt’s sound quality is not quite on par this time, for which we apologize. He was travelling and away from his usual equipment.

Topics covered:

Introduce this month’s panelists, including Holly Anderson, Darcy Burnard, Cara Quinn, Eric Troup, and Josh de Lioncourt.
Accessibility of third-party products, and the response from developers to Apple’s approach to access.
Front Row and what it offers the visually impaired in comparison to other home entertainment products.
DRM-free music and variable pricing has come to iTunes.
The new "Get a Mac" ads.

Other resources and show notes:

Holly’s pick – Apple Airport Express
Darcy’s pick – Understudy for Front Row
Josh’s pick – Zoom for Mac
Cara’s pick – Audacity
Eric’s pick – VMWare Fusion

Virtual Tactile Objects: Hope for Touch Screen Computing for the Blind?

Lioncourt — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:17:04 +0000

The BBC is reporting on a new technology being developed by a team of Japanese researchers which uses focused ultrasonic waves to produce the illusion of solid objects in mid-air to the sense of touch.

While still in its infancy, the researchers believe the technique could be used in video games to provide a more immersive experience. Audio and visual sensory input has been a major part of gaming for years, but the sense of touch has been hard to fully tap into. This technology could provide a way to more fully realized virtual experience.

However, to the blind, this technology could mean more. As the technology matures, it is easy to envision ways in which it may be used to provide tactile cues on touch screen devices like the iPhone or iPod Touch, or provide a less expensive and more easily maintained alternative to current Braille display technologies.

A First for Mac!!!

Cara — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:19:36 +0000

This past week, the first VI-accessible, fully 3D First Person Shooter, Audio Quake, was released for Intel Macs running Leopard. Audio quake is an adaptation of the immensely popular mainstream game, Quake, which was released by ID Software in 1996. One of the things which makes Audio Quake so interesting, is that it uses the actual mainstream version of Quake that any sighted player would play, and simply adds audio queues and a few simple features so that a VI player can play along with sighted players.
the audio game is a result of several years work on the AGRIP project which is meant to show that VI gamers can enjoy the same games as the sighted, as well as play together with them, with only simple additions to existing mainstream software.
Quake’s fully 3 dimensional virtual environment is made available to the VI player via sonic queues such as walls, approaching passages and drop-offs, as well as the other players or monsters in the player’s view. The game is still in beta stage, as it is a work in progress. So all are invited to visit the home of the AGRIP project at:

http://www.agrip.org.uk

-and get involved if they’d like.

Happy Gaming!!!…

A Second First

Cara — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:16:33 +0000

Last week sees another first, as, in addition to the Mac release of Audio Quake, the very first 3D level Description Language (LDL) has also been released through the AGRIP project, for Mac. This add-on for Audio Quake allows a VI player to conceptualize and design their own fully 3 dimensional environments for the game.
As with AQ itself, LDL is also a proof of concept that what was thought to be a primarily visual medium can be accurately and meaningfully worked with by the visually impaired, as well as being a means for AGRIP to further study and understand how best to present / represent visual data to a VI user.
So who better to help in this process? -The users themselves. If you’d like to find out more, please do visit the home of the AGRIP project at:

http://www.agrip.org.uk

Happy Gaming and have a terrific day!…