Turn 10 Studios, developer of the popular racing game series Forza Motorsport, unveiled some of the game’s new accessibility features. Above all, the studio hopes to make it easier for blind and low vision players to enjoy the racing simulation with the help of audio cues.
Turn 10 spent 2 years creating Blind Driving Assistant with the help of accessibility consultant Brandon Cole (who is blind) and other blind and low vision players. This feature offers additional audio cues to help players navigate. It provides audio information on runway location and direction, approach and progress during turns. Players can also learn details about the vehicle, such as the required deceleration level and when to change gear if using a manual transmission.
Introducing this feature of the game and detailing its development, Cole states that the steering guidance option shifts the engine sound and tire sounds to the left or right depending on the direction in which the players should turn. Beeps let players know when they are nearing the edge of the track. Cole says he was able to win the race with the help of hints.
While it will probably take some time for players to get used to the markings, Forza Motorsport can be extremely helpful for people who are blind or have low vision who want to play. How the system works is in the video below:
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