How Audio Description opens new worlds in video games | BBC News

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Jenna Ross and Ross Miner explore the world of audio description in video games, focusing on its importance for visually impaired players. Ross, an accessibility consultant and narrator, shares his personal experiences, highlighting how audio description levels the playing field by providing crucial visual context. Jenna, a producer at Descriptive Video Works, details the process of integrating audio description into games, emphasizing its growing role in enhancing inclusivity and player experience. The conversation underscores the industry's shift towards greater accessibility and the potential of audio description to enrich gaming for all.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Audio description in games is a service that provides narration to describe onscreen visuals for visually impaired players.
• 👥 The interview features Jenna Ross, a producer of Live And interactive audio at Descriptive Video Works, and Ross Miner, an accessibility consultant and audio description narrator.
• 🚀 The Last of Us Part One was the first AAA game to include audio description, setting a precedent for the industry.
• 💡 Audio description helps blind players by providing details about gestures, unspoken actions, and visual elements that are crucial for understanding the game's story.
• 🕹️ Video games can be fully accessible for blind players to complete, but audio description adds the layer of understanding the narrative and visual aspects.
• 🔍 Ross Miner shares his personal experience of being able to play and enjoy video games fully due to audio description, which was not possible before.
• 📈 The inclusion of audio description is becoming more prevalent as the gaming industry recognizes the importance of accessibility for a wider audience.
• 🛠️ The process of creating audio description for video games involves working with game developers during the development cycle and adapting to the unique needs of each game.
• 💰 While the cost of implementing audio description is a concern, it is becoming an expected feature for studios striving for inclusivity and is considered a good business decision.
• 🤖 There is a current trend in the industry towards using AI for efficiency, but human involvement in creating audio description is still paramount for quality and emotional impact.
• 🌐 The gaming community is increasingly recognizing the value of accessibility features like audio description, which benefit not only the visually impaired but also players with cognitive disabilities or those needing temporary visual assistance.

Q & A

What is audio description in the context of video games?

Audio description in video games is a service where a scripted narrator speaks between existing dialogue to describe onscreen visuals, enhancing the gaming experience for players with visual impairments.

Which company is Jenna associated with and what is her role there?

Jenna is a producer of Live And interactive audio description at Descriptive Video Works (DVW), which is under Keywords Studios, specializing in video games.

What was the first AAA game to feature audio description?

The first AAA game to feature audio description was 'The Last of Us Part One', although the script mentions a possible confusion with 'Part Two'.

What is Ross Miner's professional background in relation to video game accessibility?

Ross Miner is an accessibility professional consultant specializing in video games, an audio description narrator, and a member of the Descriptive Video Works Advisory board for audio descriptions.

How does audio description put blind gamers on an equal playing field with sighted gamers?

Audio description allows blind gamers to perceive and understand the same visual elements presented to sighted gamers, such as gestures, facial expressions, and scene details, thus enhancing their overall gaming experience.

What was Ross's personal experience when he was able to play video games with audio descriptions?

Ross, who was blinded at a young age, found it incredible to be able to play and experience the full story of video games like 'The Last of Us' and 'Spider-Man' with audio descriptions, something he never thought would be possible.

How did Ross transition from playing video games as a child to making it his profession?

Ross began creating content on YouTube as a hobby and noticed the importance of accessibility to many people. He then decided to pursue game accessibility full-time, eventually joining the Descriptive Video Works Advisory board.

What is the general workflow for implementing audio description in video games?

The workflow for audio description in video games is similar to TV and film post-production, where the description is part of the game development cycle. It involves referencing various source materials to create narration that complements the game's visuals and audio.

What challenges does the audio description team face when working with video games compared to TV and film?

Video games have a longer development cycle, and the visuals being described are often not finalized, making it more challenging to synchronize the audio description with the final game visuals and audio mix.

How does the industry's trend towards greater accessibility impact the audio description process?

The trend towards greater accessibility has led to more studios seeking to implement audio description and other accessibility features, setting expectations for inclusivity and driving the demand for high-quality audio description services.

What is the potential of AI in the field of audio description, and how does the industry currently view its role?

While AI is a buzzword in the industry, the audio description field currently does not seek AI tools to replace human writers, narrators, or mixers. The focus remains on creating the highest quality audio description that enhances the gaming experience for all players.

What are some of the unique moments or 'Easter eggs' in audio descriptions that enhance the player's experience?

Unique moments in audio descriptions can include additional information about characters, events, or even detailed descriptions of in-game actions like martial arts moves, which provide depth and enhance the player's connection to the game.

How does Jenna perceive the future of audio description in the gaming industry, considering the current economic climate?

Jenna acknowledges the uncertainty in the gaming industry but remains optimistic about the growing trend towards accessibility. She believes that making games accessible is not only beneficial for a large demographic but also makes good business sense.