Audio only computer game receives innovation award

An audio-only computer game developed by Lancaster University researchers was recognised at an awards ceremony organised by the national membership organisation for sight loss charities.

The game, which was tested by people with sight loss, received the Inspire Award at the annual Visionary Awards.

The game uses abstract noises to guide players through 16 levels of an immersive maze. Sight Advice South Lakes recruited people with sight loss from across the country with computer game experience to take part in the testing of the technology.

The design-led research laboratory, ImaginationLancaster, organised a workshop in Manchester together with PhD student Zach Mason.

Input from participants will be used to improve the game, which is intended for release on the global gaming platform, Steam.

Visionary chief executive, Fiona Sandford, highlighted that the project was a deserving recipient of the Inspire Award.

“The project was an inclusive collaboration, with smaller sight loss organisations contributing to a change in approach to design for blind and partially sighted people,” Sandford said.

Sight Advice South Lakes assistive technology co-ordinator, Tim Ward, said it was brilliant to work with ImaginationLancaster on the project.

“We thought the project had huge potential for the world of sight loss so using the Visionary Network we opened the research up to visually impaired gamers in the UK, and we had a brilliant response from organisations similar to ourselves,” he said.

Giles Edmonds, clinical services director for sponsor of the Inspire Award, Specsavers, shared: “We want to support others in improving the quality of life for everyone affected by sight loss.”