Analysis

In this phase research was conducted to explore games and possible concepts. This was followed by a PACA analysis on the target group as well as market research into games already on the market. This was done to give context to our idea and develop a list of user requirements.

Initial research

The market research gave a clear result; visually impaired people have access to almost all board and card games as well as many computer games. However, there is a lack of ‘hands-on games which require a more fast-thinking approach rather than a slow and rational one. Therefore, this project will be targeted towards developing an accessible hands-on game.

Games for visually impaired
Games such as Chess, Monopoly, Scrabble, Checkers, Cards, Uno, Dominoes, Puzzles or Dice games have been adapted for the use of visually impaired people using braille or 3D bumps to differentiate the pieces.

In terms of computer games, the possibilities are endless. Computer games can be divided in two categories depending on the age of the player, blind toddlers and younger kids or blind teens and adults. In both cases the games provided are generally sound based, maybe using narrations or sound effects to help with spatial awareness and navigating menus. For young kids those games are used to learn and associate sounds to objects or animals.

Of course, the market offers options for partially blind people creating smart products to use in relation to card or board games.

Competitor Analysis
The idea is to create a game that could be suitable for both visually and nonvisually impaired. Something that could be defined as an “hands-on” game with a similar strategy of an escape box.

The market offers a large variety of escape boxes or bomb defuse games. In both cases none of them seems to be suitable for a blind user.

The following products have been analysed and ordered according to their characteristics.

Market Research of some of the current games on the market for the visually impared segmented by price, weight, dimensions and complexity and ordered from lowest/smallest to highest/biggest. The games shown are the blabber gadget, a braille monopoly, braille playing cards, a sensory rubik's cube, tactile checkers and lechal sales.

A market research in which current games on the market targeted towards the visually impaired are shown, with the materials used to produce them, being mainly plastic, cardboard, wood and paper

Conclusion

It is important to note that the product the group is developing aims to cater to both visually impaired and non-visually impaired individuals, promoting inclusivity and teamwork among users from diverse backgrounds. Considering this aspect, an essential consideration comes to mind regarding the distribution of the product.

While many accessible games are currently available for purchase online, our group has contemplated the possibility of making the game accessible in physical stores since, by targeting both blind users and non-blind individuals, the game seems to hold the potential for a broader market appeal.

Based on these considerations, the assumption is that with a relatively larger target audience, the product can be produced on a larger scale rather than be tailored for small batches. This opens up significant opportunities in the mass market, offering a game that accommodates larger groups and, consequently, has the potential for greater market dominance.

For sure the Infringement of intellectual property and copyright are interesting perspectives that the distribution of this product in the market could create. Although the product, designed as a physical aid for visually impaired individuals, serves a noble purpose, it remains essential to acknowledge that it relies on someone else’s creative work. Even though this question cannot be answered in the context of the project it is still an interesting point to consider in terms of the product’s market distribution.

User Requirements

After the PACA analysis, Task analysis and scenario analysis were conducted, a list of user requirements was created based on the conclusions and findings of the aforementioned research. Another list of product requirements shall follow later in the report.

The product should be priced lower than X € to ensure affordability.
The game should be conveniently available for purchase in game stores.
The game should include cues in Braille alphabet for Braille readers.
The game should include cues in the Latin alphabet for non-Braille readers.
The product shall include a Braille alphabet version of the manual, ensuring accessibility and usability for Braille readers.
The product shall include a Latin alphabet version of the manual, ensuring accessibility and usability for non-Braille readers.
The product shall have tactile markers or indicators to assist visually impaired users in identifying different components, buttons, or sections.
The game components shall have high-contrast colours and clear visual markings to facilitate visual perception for partially sighted users.
The product shall include audio instructions or cues to provide clear and concise guidance for visually impaired users.
The product shall have tactile feedback mechanisms, such as raised buttons or textured surfaces, to provide sensory feedback for visually impaired users
The product shall make use of haptics and vibrations to further enhance the user experience.
The game should not rely on visual challenges, ensuring accessibility for VI users.
The game should offer non-repetitive gameplay to maintain user engagement.
The game should include a countdown and time constraints to increase the difficulty and require quick responses
The game should end either when the box is successfully completed or when too many mistakes are made
The game should feature a restart button for ease of replayability.
Only one module should be active at a time within the game.

Product Requirements

Based on the previous analysis the following product requirements were defined:

The product shall have a compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable and easy to carry.
The product should be battery-operated for convenience and portability.
The product's dimensions shall not exceed a specific size limit to ensure it remains small and convenient for users, with a maximum size of X cm (length) x X cm (width) x X cm (height).
The product shall have a sturdy and durable case to handle potential impacts during transportation.
The packaging of the product shall be minimalistic and space-efficient to minimise waste and optimise storage capacity.
The product shall have ergonomic handles or grips that ensure comfortable and secure handling for users.
The product's weight shall be lightweight, not exceeding a specific weight limit, to improve portability and ease of use, with a maximum weight of X kg.

People

The project targets both visually impaired and non-visually impaired individuals, focusing primarily on teenagers and young adults seeking an inclusive social game. The game aims to bridge communication between these groups by ensuring that its difficulty level is independent of the player's vision. Due to resource limitations, conducting a large survey on the visually impaired was not feasible, so research and question-based studies were used to understand the target group's needs.

Key findings emphasized the importance of distinct textures, sound cues, high contrast, and accessibility features for designing games for the visually impaired. The group focused on total blindness in their design approach, considering this would accommodate most users. They took significant steps to understand visual impairments, such as learning Braille, which enhanced their ability to create an accessible game manual.

Research on existing accessible games revealed that visually impaired (VI) players often rely on help from sighted players or adapt games using Braille markers, yet many accessible games still lack clear communication about game pieces. The project aims to create a game to be inclusive, easily accessible in mainstream stores, and designed so blind players can understand the game's state through touch, sound, and other sensory cues.

This inclusive approach leverages heightened senses like touch and hearing in VI players, ensuring that all essential game information is conveyed without relying on vision.

Learning braille from scratch

Concept definition

The game chosen by the group is to develop an educational and interactive game that combines visually impaired and non-visually impaired players. The game is a physical adapted product with modules that must be manipulated to solve it. The project integrates knowledge from various subjects, including ethics, design, human factors, application development, and electronics. The product requirements include accessibility, multiplayer interaction, and tactile and auditory inputs.

Activities

The product may be used infrequently and should be difficult enough to not memorise the rules between uses. Since there will be time constraints when defusing the bomb, the user will be pressured to respond quickly. For completing a certain amount of tasks the time will vary, and a certain amount of time will be set to deactivate the bomb.

Once the game has started the game will not stop until either the time runs out, there are too many mistakes or the game is solved, therefore no pause will be possible during the game. However, if the start button is pressed accidentally, there will be a reset button.

The game shall consist of multiple people cooperating to solve the box. The communication between players plays a crucial role in the game, to complete the correct actions in time. The player(s) with the manual shall be required to verbally communicate with the player(s) that are holding the box. The manual should be designed in such a way that both VI and sighted users can understand it. Furthermore, the manual should still hold a certain level of difficulty in the sense that the reader has to figure out the order in which the tasks should be completed.

The complexity of the game shall be high, and therefore have very specific actions for the challenges, such as disconnecting the correct wire, and pressing buttons in the correct order.

If errors are made, then the game ends and the players lose the round. Moreover, when the users are playing in one module the others shall be switched off so no overlap occurs and to ensure that visually impaired players do not accidentally play on the wrong module.

Context

The product shall be designed primarily for indoor use, however it can be used outdoors if the conditions allow it. Since the game is designed for at least two players, it would be up to them where they would like to play. For example, this could be inside their home, at a cafe, at a social gathering or a blind centre. The game shall be designed, so that both visually impaired and non-visually impaired users can play the game, thus broadening the types of locations possible. This means that if the user is able to transport the product and has the desire to play the game, the product can be used wherever they like. Due to the flexibility of the location, the product should be portable and not too distracting for other people in the same environment.

With regards to the organisational context, the product is completely voluntary as it is a game which is played for fun and enjoyment. Also, it can be seen in both a digital and physical context since it is a smart product that shall make use of electronics, coding and an interface, and the game allows users to physically interact with the product by completing specific tasks or by reading the manual. Furthermore, it also allows players to interact with each other through the exchange of instructions.

Artefacts

Visually impaired users have a wide range of technologies and products at their disposal that help them live more independently and safely. These products are spread in a very wide spectrum, ranging from very advanced and high tech to really simple and even passing through alive aids, like guide dogs.

To some degree, visually imapired individuals can use every device that sighted individuals can. The most important and widespread way for blind people to experience technology is through auditory cues and through braille keyboards. Refreshable braille displays are also available on the market, but considering their steep prices they are not easily available to visually impaired people.

The existing hardware and technology useful for the design of the product are: the Arduino ecosystem, 3D printers, laser cutting, haptic feedback devices, LEDs, speakers and headphones for auditory cues.

Due to the specific needs of the target group, it is paramount to consider the affordable shapes and functions. Since visually impaired people cannot use visual cues to operate the product, textures and materials become the focal point of the user interaction.

BRIGHT