In-game functions such as navigation have been improved greatly because of feedback provided, said Mr Tseng during an interview with ST on April 26, where he also gave a demonstration of the software.
For example, initially, players would hear a sound when they were near walls, but the testing team realised that this was not essential as players would automatically no longer be able to move when they are against a wall, and sounds of their footsteps would stop, said Mr Tseng.
“So what we actually wanted to look for are landmarks, so that they can be used to orientate the player. For instance, when I’m walking into a room, the fact I that I know there are four walls in a room has a limited purpose,” he added.
“But if there’s a chair next to the door in the room, then I would want to know where the chair is instead, so I can leave the room. Obstacles in the game’s map act as landmarks.”
There was a learning curve that came with getting used to the software, said Mr Tseng, although he said this is also the case with mastering any other piece of assistive technology.
With time and practice, though, the digital accessibility specialist eventually found himself instinctively reacting to audio cues that popped up.
Ms Soon, who is also visually impaired, agreed that it takes time and practice to get used to the software.
“But it definitely opens a whole new world and quite unchartered territory for many visually impaired people, who now have the option to explore gaming,” said the 26-year-old, who was diagnosed with cone rod dystrophy as a child.
If software such as Guide Play becomes more commonplace, gaming as a recreational activity could eventually be among the services provided by social service organisations when coaching visually impaired people, added Mr Tseng.
“When we think of rehabilitation, we think of all the boring things like for work, or outdoor navigation,” he said.
“But things like recreation and social activities are also very important. People with disabilities deserve to have fun too.”
