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Online and Mobile Sites
Although we do not feel competent to rank online or mobile sites, these sites were most often mentioned in discussions concerning online games.Bowing to popular demand, this is that list.
| Site | Comments |
|---|---|
| Alter Aeon www.alteraeon.com |
It's a MUD. But a FREE MUD with a huge following among the blind gaming community. Alter Aeon is a multiplayer text based game with a huge world. The game has a support page for the blind and visually impaired player. This page outlines the available support software for the game. This superb online MUD is one of the few we know that actively supports blind and VI players. One blind gamer said "This is probably the most comprehensive game I've ever played . . . Beyond the absolutely amazing gameplay, there are lots of people on there who are just a joy to chat with. As well, the website is entirely accessible from all platforms and very nicely organized for screen reader/notetaker navigation." Updated constantly. The most recent update was the day before our survey. Alexa rating 2,707,876. 508 Compliance: Image elements contain no ALT. Script element used without NOSCRIPT Categories: Games. In their own words: "Alter Aeon is one of the most blind friendly multiplayer games on the web. Over half of our players are blind or visually impaired, and our dedicated staff is constantly on the lookout for trouble spots." Why should I go there: To play one of the few blind accessible MUDs. |
| QuentinC's Playroom www.qcsalon.net | Offers 25 FREE blind-accessible online games. The playroom offers card, dice and board games that can be played with other players online in six languages. Alexa rating 2,052,311. The most recent update noted was March, 2016. Categories: Games. 508 Compliance: Image elements have no ALT. Input form does not allow assistive technology access. In their own words: "The Playroom is a FREE online gaming platform, especially made to be accessible to visually impaired people. Why should I go there: To play card, dice and board games with other players. |
| RS Games www.rsgames.net | Offers 8 FREE online card and board or educational games. Uses advertising support to maintain the FREE games. The latest posting was announcing their 5th anniversary in December 2014. Alexa rating: Not enough data to rank. Categories: Games. 508 Compliance: Document requires an associated style sheet which is not 508 compliant, Foreground color specified but not background color to assure adequate contrast, Data tables with 2 or more levels lack markup association. In their own words: "We specialize in the development of accessible games, products and software for the blind and visually impaired." Why should I go there: To play games with other players. |
Blind Adrenaline Simulationswww.blindadrenaline.com |
Independent developer of 8 blind accessible online card games in their Blind Adrenaline card room. Navigating the site is easy. Founded in 2006. Latest update was the week of our review. Alexa rank: 4,396,251. 508 Compliance: PERFECT. Categories: Games. In their own words: "…We've built the most feature rich set of online card games available for the blind…" Why should I go there? To play card games in tournaments or against one another. |
AllInPlaywww.allinplay.com |
Independent developer of Commercial blind-accessible online games that allows blind and sighted folks from all over the world come together to play online multiplayer games.. They are an online site that any blind gamer who enjoys card and word games should be aware of. Offers 6 subscription-based blind-accessible word and card games. Enables you to play against the computer or with others over the Web, participate in tournaments, and chat with others. Offers FREE trials. All in Play was founded in 1998. No recent updates noted. Alexa rank 10,543,459. 508 Compliance: Image elements contain no ALTS. Document requires an associated style sheet. Foreground color specified but not background color. Categories: Games. In their own words: "From our beginnings in a college dorm room in 1998, our goal has been to bring people together through online games that are accessible to the blind while also being thoroughly enjoyable by those who are sighted." Why should I go there? Their online card and word games are mentioned favorably throughout the blind-gaming community. |
| Core Exiles www.core-exiles.com |
Core Exiles is a FREE to play epic space adventure game. You are the captain of a small spacecraft and have a wide range of opportunities for adventure. This is a game that has a large VI player base. They have a forum that includes player guides and tips for VI players. They have been responsive to requests to include accessibility in the game. They have an active community forum system with posts as recent as the day of the review. Alexa rating: 1,340,618. 508 Compliance: Input element lacks ALTS, Title attribute, or linked label. Categories: Games, Community. In their own words: "Whether you're a strategist, an explorer, a privateer or a mix of all three, you'll find yourself at home in Core exiles" Why should I go there: To play in a complex and exciting environment. |
| Materiamagica www.materiamagica.com |
Materiamagica is a FREE to play Multi-User-Dungeon (MUD). It is set in the world of Alyria. This text-based interactive fantasy has been in existence for over fourteen years. They have been responsive to requests to include accessibility in the game. They even have their own VI mailing list. The forum is active with entries up to April 2016. Alexa rating 2,976,661. Categories: Game, Community. 508 Compliance: Script element used without NOSCRIPT. In their own words: "Materia Magica brings an entire universe of fantasy to your desktop, where Internet users can enjoy the thrills of Materia Magica through an ANSI text interface - which has the remarkable distinction of being 100% cross-platform compatible and can be used on virtually any computer system with an Internet connection." Why should I go there: to play with other gamers in a mature, complex, game universe. |
Kid Friendly Softwarehttp://blindfoldgames.org/ |
Blindfold games at this time develops games exclusively for iOS mobile devices.
They have 34 games available, and are releasing games at an amazing rate. The games are mostly short play games including card, word and puzzle games. In addition there are some arcade titles as well. They were selected as the AppleVisdeveloper of the year in 2015. Founded 2013. Updated in May 2016. Alexa: 8,564,150. 508 Compliance: Image elements contain empty ALT attributes, video elements lack descriptions, documents not readable without a style sheet, foreground color specified but not background color. Categories: Games. Why should I go there? For an excellent collection of blind accessible iPad/iPhone games. |
Adventure to Fate: Quest to the Futurehttp://adventuretofate.com/ |
This developer is the author of Adventure to Fate, an awesome RPG for iOS mobile devices. You can access the app store location directly from this website Founded 2014. Updated in 2016. Alexa: 7,305,157. 508 Compliance: Images alternative texts are missing. Frame elements have inaccessible text. Input elements not accessible to assistive technology. Categories: Games. Why should I go there? For a mobile RPG that is the most complex game that is accessible. |
Sites to Watch
These are sites that don't fit within the above rankings, but that we think should be brought to your attention.| Site | Comments |
|---|---|
Doublespeak gameswww.doublespeakgames.com |
This website is the home of the FREE text adventure In a Dark Room. This game is available in the App store on iOS as well as Windows. It has been made open source and has been put up on Git Hub. There is an active blog and a number of people have added content. During 2014 they released a match 3 type game which is not blind accessible. No new games in 2015. Founded in 2013. Latest update in January 2016. Alexa rank 331,163. 508 Compliance: Foreground color specified, but not background color. Is not readable without an associated style sheet. Categories: Games, Community. In their own words: "In a Dark Room is a minimalist text adventure game." Why should I go there? For an interesting game. |
BlindSidewww.blindsidegame.com |
This website is the home of the audio-only adventure game BlindSide. This game is available in the App store on iOS as well as PC Windows and Max. It is accessible for blind and sighted users alike - a new level of audio-based horror. Founded in 2012. Nothing new on the website since last year's review. Alexa rank 9,982,379. 508 Compliance: Images alternative texts are missing. Background color specified, no foreground color specified. Frame not titled. Categories: Games. In their own words: " BlindSide presents the opportunity for both sighted and visually impaired gamers to enjoy an identically nightmare-inducing gameplay experience.." Why should I go there? For an interesting 3D audio game. |
NA Softwww.ndadamson.com |
This website is the home of two accessible games, Dotris, which is like tetris, using a braille display, and Park Boss, which is a game where you develop an amusement park. Dotris is FREE, but asks for donations that go to the ClearVision Library. Park Boss is FREE, but the developer, Nick Adamson asks for donations to help finance further development. Has a Twitter feed that allows interaction with players. Also interacts on Facebook. Latest Twitter comment February 2016. Founded 2014. Alexa: Not enough information to rank. 508 Compliance: Background color specified, but foreground (text) color is not. Is not readable without an associated style sheet. Categories: Games, Community. In their own words: "NA Soft ... is just a useful way to identify the software I write in my spare time." Why should I go there? For an interesting simulation or a unique braille game. |
Valiant Galaxy Associateswww.valiantgalaxy.com |
Valiant Galaxy Associates is home to one FREE science fiction audiogame, "Traders of Known Space", and two commercial games, "Yellowbonnet", a western themed adventure game, and "Interceptor", a space fighter game. Interceptor was released in July, 2015 There is a well developed story line and an interesting description of the timeline involved and descriptions of the aliens found in known space on the website. Navigating the site is easy. Just use the page links to move to the section you want to visit. Founded in 2014. The most recent news is April 2016. Alexa: Not enough information to rate. 508 Compliance: Script element used without NOSCRIPT. Categories: Games. In their own words: "Our goal is to provide low cost gaming, high quality play experience, and where possible a high degree of replayability." Why should I go there: For an interesting universe and fun games. |
Braillemonbraillemon.tumblr.com/# |
Braillemon is an audio version of the popular game Pokemon. The latest release is April, 2015 Founded in 2014. The most recent news is April 2016. Alexa: Not enough information to rate. 508 Compliance: Image element has no ALT, frame elements lack titles, electronic form not accessible with assistive technology. Categories: Games. In their own words: "Braillemon is a port of Pokemon that is being developed for those with visual impairments or blindness. The game is completely sound based and can be played without even a monitor!." Why should I go there: To play an audio version of a mainstream game. |
Blindgamers.comhttps://blindgamers.com/ |
Blindgamers.com provides a list of blind-accessible games that have
been community rated.
The lists are sorted by:
In addition there is a Japanese games translator. Founded in 2014. The most recent news is April 2016. Alexa: Not enough information to rate. 508 Compliance: Image element has no ALT, frame elements lack titles, electronic form not accessible with assistive technology. Categories: Community. In their own words: "The focus of this site is to provide a list of games accessible to blind players, sorted by average community rating so that you can quickly find the best games." Why should I go there: To see the community ratings of blind accessible games. |
Reality Softwarehttp://realitysoftware.noip.us/ |
Reality Software has three games, Death Match: Project Alpha; Snow Race, a snowboarding game; and Reality Skateboarding. Death Match is a science fiction side-scroller. First released in 2014, it has been expanded into a full scale playable world with lots to do. In addition, the game can be played online. Founded in 2014. The most recent news is April 2016. Alexa: 6,985,232. 508 Compliance: Perfect. Categories: Games. In their own words: "Reality software is a group dedicated to producing audio games." Why should I go there: To play some interesting games. |
applevis.comwww.applevis.com |
This site is Apple's accessibility site. It provides accessory reviews, blog articles, advocacy information, guides and tutorials, and podcasts about everything Apple related. There is an active forum with posts on the day of the review. There are 399 accessible games listed in their Apps list as of the date of our review. The site is updated regularly with most recent blog entry on the date of our review. Alexa rank 142,374 508 Compliance: Table uses markup to associate data and header cells but has no summary, interface text not able to be read by assistive technology, online form not accessible to assistive technology. Categories: Games, Community, Information. In their own words: " AppleVis is a community-powered website for vision-impaired users of Apple's range of Mac computers, the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch." Why should I go there? If you are a user of any Apple product, desktop or mobile, this is your best information about what is available for you. |
Whitestickwww.whitestick.co.uk |
A place to find information relevant to blind-accessible computer games and much, much more. When you hear about a Web site constantly in your Web travels, then it probably should be brought to the attention of the few gamers who are blind who haven't heard of it yet. Whitestick's content offering includes a section of Neverending Stories, you can submit for others to read. However, this Web site's strength is in its extremely well organized and inclusive sets of links to Web sites useful to people who are blind. These include Web sites where you can:
In addition you will find links to Web sites related to blind sports and those hosting chat lines and blogs related to visual impairment. They also offer a dozen more sets of links that should be useful to gamers and non-gamers alike. 508 Compliance: Image elements lacking ALTs, online form lacks accessibility by assistive technology,. Founded in 2001. Last update, January 2016. Alexa rank 7,093,033. Categories: Information. In their own words: "Welcome to my Website, which has been set up to assist the Visually Impaired computer user locate information and services relating to blindness." Why should I go there? Because it's an excellent resource that contains many links, from which you can get to wherever you're going. |
General Game Accessibility Sites
These are sites that contain useful information for blind-accessible gaming, but are not specific to blind-accessible gaming.| Site | Comments |
|---|---|
AbleGamersablegamers.comUnstoppable Gamer unstoppablegamer.com Includification includification.com |
Though this Web site has little blind-specific content, its excellent game reviews do include color blindness. Their Includification Guidelines have recommendations for accessibility features for mobility, hearing, vision, and cognitive impairments. Each set is displayed in three levels that contain recommendations for making a game increasingly more accessible. Founded in 2004 and is constantly being updated. The latest update was the week of our review. Alexa rank 1,291,609. 508 Compliance: Images alternative texts are missing. Documents shall be readable without requiring an associated style sheet. Background color specified, but not foreground (text) color. Frame element does not contain attributes. All input elements must be accessible with assistive technology and must have a label. Categories: Reviews. In their own words: "AbleGamers does not rate games for the totally blind. We do call out examples of games that do something special for the totally blind community, but it is not a ratings criteria." Why should I go there? For professional-quality game reviews that rate color blind access and to be able to point out the Includification guidelines to interested game developers. |
The Game Accessibility Projectwww.game-accessibility.com |
This site has been reborn and is an active, constantly changing source for news, accessible games, and information for developers to help them improve the accessibility of their games. They have articles, papers, accessibility guidelines, organizations and projects. Audiogames are not the major focus of this site, but they do accept postings about audiogames. Founded in 2006. Latest post is May, 2016. Alexa Rank: 3,642,132 508 Compliance: Image element has an empty ALT, Interface elements can't be read using assistive technology, script element used without NOSCRIPT. Categories: Information, Community, Help. In their own words: "The Game Accessibility project has been set up to address these problems by to informing disabled gamers about the availability of accessible games and by providing resources for developers, publishers and researchers in order to stimulate accessibility in games." Why should I go there? For a wealth of information on accessibility, audio games, and the efforts being made to improve accessibility in games. |
IGDA - Game Accessibility SIGigda-gasig.orggameaccessibility.blogspot.com gameaccesssig.forumotion.com IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Listserv Archive |
An industry advocacy group seeking to motivate developers to make their games more accessible
to gamers with special needs. The sites tend to focus on motion impairment rather than vision. The sites have shown activity during the past year. There is a summary of their GDC conference presentation in 2016 There is a GA-SIG action list that includes action items for the members. There is a list of websites that provide forums and game reviews. The listserv is active with members of this SIG discussing issues related to game accessibility. Founded in 2003. Most recent posting is April 2016. Alexa rank 21,859,750 508 Compliance: Images missing alternative text. Requires associated style sheet to navigate. Background color specified but foreground (text) color is not. Frame elements lack titles, description, and navigation aids. Categories: Community, Information. In their own words: "The Game Accessibility SIG was formed to help the game community strive towards creating mainstream games that are universally accessible to all, regardless of age, experience and disability." Why should I go there? A for information about blind-accessible games and other accessibility issues. |
D.A.G.E.R.Shttp://dagersystem.com |
A Web site for reviewing accessible games using their
Disabled Accessibility for Gaming Entertainment Rating System. Many of the games are non-Windows XBox, Playstation, etc. But they do include the very latest Windows games. The ratings for visual disabilities does not mention access by text readers, primarily focusing on color blindness and VI with an indication of text size and not needing to see fine detail. Games are rated functionally by:
Founded 2011. Updated constantly. The most recent review was dated the week of the review. Alexa rank 18,420.115 508 Compliance: Image elements contain no ALT attributes. Categories: Reviews, News. In their own words: "DAGERS - The leading game journalism site for disabled gamers, featuring disability game reviews and perspectives on video game accessibility." Why should I go there? For reviews of the very latest vision impaired accessible games. |
Game Accessibility Guidelinesgameaccessibilityguidelines.com |
This site is an information resource for developers and gamers. It was created by some of the top people in the accessible gaming field. It presents a full set of guidelines for developers who want to make their games accessible. These guidelines are grouped by:
Many of the entries include links to Web sites that offer games that are examples of best practices for resolving a particular accessibility issue. This could be a good resource for gamers seeking such games. The site is very easy to navigate. Founded in 2012. Updated occasionally. The latest date noted was 2016 in the copyright. Alexa rank 3,788,994 508 Compliance: INPUT element lacks ALTs, Titles, or linked Label. Categories: Information, links to games. In their own words: "A collaborative effort between a group of studios, specialists and academics, to produce a straightforward developer friendly reference for ways to avoid unnecessarily excluding players, and ensure that games are just as fun for as wide a range of people as possible." Why should I go there? If you're a gamer, to find how to tell a developer what is needed to make your favorite game accessible to you. If you're a developer, to find out how to make your games accessible to all. |
Gone Sites
These are sites that were previously on this list but have gone away.We keep them around awhile because sometimes you want to know what happened to a site.
| Site | Comments |
|---|---|
BPCProgramsbpcprograms.com |
The Domain Name has expired and the page brings up a list of other game sites. None of the previous content is there. |
Survey Methodology
Data comes from 7-128 Software market research of over 100 Web sites relevant to the accessible gaming community,
including: developers, gaming media, and organizations.
Because we rank only what we ourselves understand well:
We specifically address single-user, desktop games that run on Windows.
We specifically do not include games that run on the Macintosh in the Top 25, although there are some sites listed in the Sites to Watch section for Mac users.
We specifically do not address games that run on consoles, mobiles, or in your Web browser in the Top 25 section although there are some sites listed in the Online Sites and Sites to Watch sections that include those types of games.
Ranking is based on, in general order of priority:
Because we rank only what we ourselves understand well:
We specifically address single-user, desktop games that run on Windows.
We specifically do not include games that run on the Macintosh in the Top 25, although there are some sites listed in the Sites to Watch section for Mac users.
We specifically do not address games that run on consoles, mobiles, or in your Web browser in the Top 25 section although there are some sites listed in the Online Sites and Sites to Watch sections that include those types of games.
Ranking is based on, in general order of priority:
Games
Games you can get: FREE or Commercial, via download or on CD.
This means games developed at the surveyed Web site.
This also includes Web sites where you can directly download FREE games developed at another Web site.
This also includes annotated links to Web sites where you can download FREE games developed at another Web site.
We rank FREE games higher than Commercial games.
We specifically do not include resellers unless they also offer games they themselves have developed.
We may include games that are under development when the available version is playable and interest in the gaming community is evident.
This means games developed at the surveyed Web site.
This also includes Web sites where you can directly download FREE games developed at another Web site.
This also includes annotated links to Web sites where you can download FREE games developed at another Web site.
We rank FREE games higher than Commercial games.
We specifically do not include resellers unless they also offer games they themselves have developed.
We may include games that are under development when the available version is playable and interest in the gaming community is evident.
Help
Help from other gamers or technically knowledgeable people.
This means not only forums or other interactive means of sharing, but also a group of people who will give technical advice.
This means not only forums or other interactive means of sharing, but also a group of people who will give technical advice.
Information
Gaming news, technical specifications, tips.
This means information about games, including industry and academic gaming news and announcements, game descriptions, tips, cheats, walk-throughs.
It includes links that are annotated with something that adds value to the link, for example personal suggestions.
This means information about games, including industry and academic gaming news and announcements, game descriptions, tips, cheats, walk-throughs.
It includes links that are annotated with something that adds value to the link, for example personal suggestions.
Reviews
Reviews of games.
This means game reviews that include blind, color-blind, and visually impaired accessibility issues.
This means game reviews that include blind, color-blind, and visually impaired accessibility issues.
Community
Interaction with other gamers and game developers.
This means forums, blogs, chat lines, and other interactive means of sharing.
This means forums, blogs, chat lines, and other interactive means of sharing.
Currentness
How frequently is the site updated.
This means how often does it get new games, game updates, new information, or posts by gamers or developers.
Sites that have not been updated for a long time (years) are ranked down.
This means how often does it get new games, game updates, new information, or posts by gamers or developers.
Sites that have not been updated for a long time (years) are ranked down.
Reach
How well known is the site in the blind gaming community?
This means how often is the Web site mentioned in forum posts, in media articles, how does it Google. How many comments, and commenters, are there for the Web site's forum or blog posts. What is its Alexa rating? What observed influence has it had on our industry.
Alexa rankings indicate how often a Web site's home page is hit by users. Lower values are better.
Sites that have very little traffic or are not mentioned by the gaming community in forums and such, are ranked down.
This means how often is the Web site mentioned in forum posts, in media articles, how does it Google. How many comments, and commenters, are there for the Web site's forum or blog posts. What is its Alexa rating? What observed influence has it had on our industry.
Alexa rankings indicate how often a Web site's home page is hit by users. Lower values are better.
Sites that have very little traffic or are not mentioned by the gaming community in forums and such, are ranked down.
Accessibility
Web site's 508 compliance.
This means we checked the site's Home Page with 508 compliance Web checkers. PERFECT means it passes with no failures that would deny reasonable accomodation to people who are blind, color blind, or visually impaired.
It specifically means that the site does not use captcha without at least some alternative means of foiling spammers.
This means we checked the site's Home Page with 508 compliance Web checkers. PERFECT means it passes with no failures that would deny reasonable accomodation to people who are blind, color blind, or visually impaired.
It specifically means that the site does not use captcha without at least some alternative means of foiling spammers.
Does it Work?
Do all of its parts work?
This means does it have broken links?
Does it have broken Javascript?
Is its storefront inoperative or do its FREE downloads not download?
Is the site itself down for a significant part of our year-end survey period?
Is the gaming community complaining about lousy service?
This means does it have broken links?
Does it have broken Javascript?
Is its storefront inoperative or do its FREE downloads not download?
Is the site itself down for a significant part of our year-end survey period?
Is the gaming community complaining about lousy service?
Longevity
How long has the site been around.
This means when the Web site was founded.
This generally is not a factor in our rankings, but could be of interest to the gaming community.
This means when the Web site was founded.
This generally is not a factor in our rankings, but could be of interest to the gaming community.
Breadth vs Depth
Preference is given to breadth.
This means that, all else being equal, Web sites that offer help or information as well as games tend to be ranked higher than Web sites offering just games or just information.
When a site offers information about game platforms we don't include in our rankings, in addition to those we do, we note this additional information.
This means that, all else being equal, Web sites that offer help or information as well as games tend to be ranked higher than Web sites offering just games or just information.
When a site offers information about game platforms we don't include in our rankings, in addition to those we do, we note this additional information.
Mainstream vs. Independent vs. Educational Game Developers
For the purpose of this survey, Mainstream developers tend to be larger companies,
producing Commercial games with more features.
Independent developers tend to be smaller companies or individuals, producing simpler Commercial or FREE games.
Educational developers tend to be Independent developers who produce games that emphasize learning rather than entertainment.
This rough labeling is our way to indicate what kind of games you'll likely find at a developer Web site. It has no bearing on rankings.
Independent developers tend to be smaller companies or individuals, producing simpler Commercial or FREE games.
Educational developers tend to be Independent developers who produce games that emphasize learning rather than entertainment.
This rough labeling is our way to indicate what kind of games you'll likely find at a developer Web site. It has no bearing on rankings.
Exceptions
Exceptions to the above are put in our unranked Web Sites to Watch section.
Data is current as of May, 2016
Data is current as of May, 2016