Hey everyone, I’m going to be at GDC and speaking twice. You can check out in the GDC session builder, or see the description below.
Speaker/s: Tara Tefertiller (Pursuit of Happiness Foundation)
Day / Time / Location: Friday 2:00- 3:00 Room 230, East Mezzanine Room number has changed. Please see GDC website for details.
Track / Format: Game Design / Roundtable
Description: The IGDA Game Accessibility SIG is dedicated to spreading game accessibility awareness and education, being a hub for new ideas and solutions that promote accessible game play, and providing a resource for all who are interested in the topic- gamers and developers alike. At this round table, discuss where the GA SIG should focus the energy provided by the newly elected steering committee, meet the new chair, or become a new member. We are always looking for more people and more input from all areas of the development community!
Takeaway: Attendees will meet other developers who are interested in game accessibility and be provided with an environment that promotes the exchange of ideas and the latest news on the topic. The roundtable will also discuss the recent work done by the steering committee, such as revamping the SIGs web presence, and help shape the SIGs goals for the next year.
Intended Audience: Anyone who has special interests in making games accessible for any demographic, those who have their lives directly affected by the implementation or lack thereof of accessible game designs, those who are interested in usability.
Eligible Passes: Expo Pass, All Access Pass, Main Conference Pass
Speaker/s: Michelle Hinn (IGDA Game Accessibility Special Interest Group) (Not listed as the speaker since Michelle submitted it- but I am on the roundtable)
Day / Time / Location: Thursday 9:00-10:00 Room 113, North Hall
Track / Format: Game Design / Roundtable
Description: One key issue that comes up whenever game studios include accessibility features in their games is how to announce these features so that gamers with disabilities and their friends, family, etc can easily find out this information while shopping for games. While there are a few review sites dedicated to providing the disabled gamer with this information, there has yet to be an industry-wide standard for including symbols on game boxes and in mainstream gaming websites and magazines. The purpose of this session is to discuss how such a system can be created, who would be the responsible group to approve accessibility ratings, and what design features this sort of rating system would include. Come help contribute to the discussion of an exciting new ratings system that can help even more gamers play your game!
Eligible Passes: All Access Pass, Main Conference Pass
