Level-Up! Comparing accessibility features based on gameplay performance.

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Authors
Vangsness, Lisa
Granados, Jasmine A.
Canare, Dominic
Advisors
Issue Date
2024-11-11
Type
Article
Keywords
Accessibility , Haptics , videogames
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Vangsness, L., Granados, J., & Canare, D. (2024). Level-Up! Comparing accessibility features based on gameplay performance. Journal of Accessibility and Design for All, 14(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.17411/jacces.v14i2.400
Abstract

This study examined the impact of accessibility cues on hearing and non-hearing players’ performance in a 3D, third-person shooter video game. The intent was to resolve the debate about whether accessibility features unfairly lessen the difficulty of video games for hearing players. In this study, players completed the video game with three accessibility cue conditions (visual, haptic, both) and were assigned to one of two audio conditions (audio, no audio). Hard-of-Hearing (HOH) participants played the video game under all three cue conditions. Performance data indicated that accessibility cues helped players without audio without affording an unfair advantage to those with audio. Qualitative data indicated that participants’ beliefs about the cues aligned with the popular—but inaccurate—belief that accessibility cues afforded them an advantage. This research is a first step in examining accessibility cues in the context of video games. The results can be applied to video game design as well as to other fields that use cues to convey information—such as human perception—and as a method for designing cues for training people in the medical, aerospace, and education fields. © Journal of Accessibility and Design for All (JACCES).

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Publisher
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
Journal
Journal of Accessibility and Design for All
Book Title
Series
PubMed ID
ISSN
20137087
EISSN