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.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Introduction to Audio Description in Video Games

The video script begins with an introduction to the concept of audio description in video games, led by Jenna Ross, a producer at Descriptive Video Works (DVW), a company under Keyword Studios. Jenna explains that audio description is a service where a narrator provides descriptions of onscreen visuals between dialogues, making games more accessible to visually impaired players. The Last of Us Part Two is highlighted as a pioneer in this area, with its release in 2022 marking a significant step towards inclusivity in gaming. Ross Miner, an accessibility consultant and audio description narrator, emphasizes the importance of audio description in leveling the playing field for blind gamers, allowing them to fully experience and understand the game's story and visuals.

05:00

📝 The Workflow and Impact of Audio Description in Games

This paragraph delves into the practical aspects of incorporating audio description into video games. Jenna outlines the workflow, comparing it to TV and film production, and notes the unique challenges posed by the dynamic nature of game development. She discusses the process from the initial request by game studios to the final integration of audio description into the game, highlighting the collaborative effort required to ensure a harmonious player experience. Ross shares his personal experience as a blind gamer, describing the profound impact of audio description on his ability to enjoy games like Spider-Man, and the joy of being able to discuss games with others without missing out on crucial narrative elements.

10:01

🚀 The Evolution and Advocacy of Game Accessibility

The conversation shifts to Ross's journey from a hobbyist YouTube content creator to a full-time advocate for game accessibility. He discusses the pivotal moment when he decided to focus on accessibility, his role on the DVW Advisory board, and the importance of consulting in the industry. Jenna then explains the process of working with game studios to ensure their games are accessible, emphasizing that audio description is just one of many features that contribute to a game's overall accessibility. The discussion underscores the growing trend towards inclusivity in the gaming industry and the role of advocacy in driving this change.

15:01

💰 The Business and Cost of Implementing Audio Description

The script addresses the financial considerations of implementing audio description in games, with Jenna assuring that it is more affordable than one might think. She explains that studios usually approach DVW with a commitment to inclusivity, reducing the need for extensive persuasion. The discussion highlights the business rationale behind accessibility features, noting the significant proportion of the global population with disabilities and the potential market for accessible games. Ross adds that the impact of games like The Last of Us, which embraced accessibility, has been instrumental in raising awareness and setting new standards for the industry.

20:01

🤖 The Role of AI in the Future of Game Accessibility

In this paragraph, the speakers contemplate the impact of the gaming industry's current instability on the future of accessibility investments. Jenna expresses uncertainty about the direction the industry will take but notes a promising trend towards greater accessibility. She differentiates between accessibility and approachability, emphasizing the importance of removing barriers for all players. The conversation also touches on the potential of AI in enhancing efficiency, but Jenna clarifies that DVW is not currently seeking AI tools to replace human creativity in the audio description process, valuing quality over cost or speed.

25:05

👏 Celebrating Successes and Identifying Room for Improvement

Ross and Jenna reflect on the progress made in game accessibility, with Ross noting the improvement in audio description from its initial implementation in The Last of Us Part One to its more comprehensive form in Spider-Man 2. They acknowledge that while much has been achieved, there is still work to be done, particularly in increasing the frequency and breadth of audio descriptions in games. The speakers share anecdotes of impactful moments in their gaming experiences, highlighting the transformative effect of audio description and the joy it brings to players with disabilities.

🎉 Conclusion and Reflections on the Impact of Audio Description

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion with Jenna and Ross sharing their personal reflections on the significance of their work in audio description. They express gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive gaming experience and highlight the rewarding nature of their roles. The conversation concludes on a high note, celebrating the positive impact of audio description on the gaming community and the potential for further advancements in the future.

Keywords

💡Audio Description

Audio Description is a service that provides additional narration to describe visual elements in media content, such as TV shows, films, and video games. It is crucial for individuals who are blind or have low vision to understand and enjoy the visual aspects of a story. In the video, audio description is highlighted as a significant feature in video games like 'The Last of Us Part Two' and 'Spider-Man', allowing players to perceive onscreen actions and details that would otherwise be missed.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in gaming refers to the design of video games to be usable by people with a wide range of abilities. This includes features that cater to those with visual, auditory, cognitive, or physical disabilities. The video emphasizes the importance of accessibility in making gaming experiences inclusive, mentioning that 'The Last of Us Part Two' was notable for its extensive range of accessibility features.

💡Descriptive Video Works (DVW)

Descriptive Video Works is an organization that specializes in providing audio description services for TV, film, and video games. In the script, Jenna mentions being a producer of Live And interactive audio description at DVW, under keyword Studios, indicating the company's role in pioneering audio description in video games.

💡QuickTime Events (QTEs)

QuickTime Events, or QTEs, are a gameplay mechanic where players must rapidly press a sequence of buttons as indicated on the screen, often during action scenes or cutscenes. In the context of the video, QTEs are mentioned as being integrated with audio description, allowing players who are blind to participate in these interactive segments of the game.

💡Cutscenes

Cutscenes are non-interactive sequences in video games that are used to advance the story or provide narrative context. The script discusses the importance of audio description in cutscenes, as it allows players to understand the story and visual details that are not part of the gameplay.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity in the video game industry means creating games that can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their abilities. The video talks about the impact of audio description on making games more inclusive, as it considers players with disabilities and ensures they can have a complete gaming experience.

💡Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a sentimental longing for the past, often associated with childhood experiences. Ross Miner, in the video, discusses how audio description has allowed him to reconnect with his childhood hobby of playing video games, invoking a sense of nostalgia as he experiences modern games with the added feature of audio description.

💡Consultancy

Consultancy in the context of the video refers to the professional advice given by experts like Ross Miner to help make video games more accessible. Ross, being an accessibility consultant, has been involved in advising on the implementation of audio description and other accessibility features in games.

💡Gamification

Gamification is the application of game-design elements in non-game contexts. While not explicitly mentioned, the concept is implicit in the discussion of making video games more accessible, as it relates to the idea of using game mechanics to enhance user engagement and enjoyment for all players.

💡AAA Games

AAA Games, or 'Triple-A' games, are high-budget video games produced and marketed by large companies. The script mentions 'The Last of Us Part Two' as the first AAA game to have audio description, indicating a shift towards greater accessibility in major game releases.

💡Synthetic Voices

Synthetic voices refer to artificial, computer-generated voices used in various technologies, including audio description. The video mentions a preference for human narrators over synthetic voices in audio description, highlighting the importance of natural speech and emotional conveyance in providing an engaging experience for the visually impaired.

Highlights

Audio description in video games is a recent development, with The Last of Us Part Two being one of the pioneers.

Audio description is a scripted narration that describes onscreen visuals for visually impaired players.

Jenna Ross, a producer at Descriptive Video Works, specializes in creating audio description for video games.

Ross Miner, an accessibility consultant and audio description narrator, discusses the impact of audio description on blind gamers.

Audio description levels the playing field for blind gamers, allowing them to perceive and understand visual elements in games.

The Last of Us Part One was the first AAA game to include audio description, enhancing the narrative experience for blind players.

Ross Miner shares his personal experience of being able to enjoy video games fully through audio description after losing his sight.

Audio description in games is a creative process that involves adapting to the unique challenges of each game's development cycle.

The workflow for audio description in games is compared to TV and film, but with additional challenges due to the dynamic nature of game development.

Jenna Ross explains the collaborative process of integrating audio description into games, emphasizing its role as one of several accessibility features.

The industry trend towards greater accessibility in games is driven by both internal motivation and external advocacy.

The cost of implementing audio description is less than commonly perceived and is often justified by the large percentage of potential players with disabilities.

Ross Miner highlights the importance of audio description in multiplayer games, where it can level the playing field for online competition.

The gaming industry's current challenges, including layoffs and consolidation, may impact the future of accessibility investments.

Jenna Ross discusses the importance of business sense in driving the inclusion of accessibility features like audio description.

The potential of AI in audio description is currently limited, with a preference for human creativity and quality in the field.

Ross Miner calls for more frequent and widespread implementation of audio description in games to enhance inclusivity.

Jenna Ross shares a memorable moment from Spider-Man 2, where audio description seamlessly blends QuickTime events with cinematics.

Both Jenna and Ross emphasize the transformative impact of audio description on the gaming experience for the visually impaired.

Transcripts

to know that I was you know people with

my disability were

considered just really really means the

world on the ground below Hunters load

an unconscious Tombstone into a vehicle

another aims at

Peter but MJ uses her stun gun on his

neck incapacitating him Jenna Ross thank

you so much for joining us to talk about

this uh we're going to be talking about

audio description in games now for

anyone who doesn't know what that is

Jenna kick us off what are we talking

about here yeah thank you so much for

having us uh my name is Jenna I'm a

producer of Live And interactive audio

description at descriptive video works

which is under keyword Studios and what

that means is I specialize in video

games it's my bread and butter so audio

description for anyone who has never

heard of it before is a scripted

narrator who speaks between existing

dialogue to describe onscreen visuals um

dvw has been doing it in TV and film for

many many years but it is only just

recently starting to appear in video

games a hunter vehicle toward them it

narrowly misses them and collides with a

swing Tower

ride don't fall don't fall don't fall

don't fall oh no there's a handful of

AAA games who have professionally

produced audio description a few others

who have tried it in house and it uh

it's it's still very new so the first

ever AAA game to have audio description

was uh The Last of Us Part Two that came

out in wait was it 2022 I think it was

um Ross you can probably answer that

better than I can but it was it I

thought it was the last was part one the

first one it was part one you're right

yeah okay part two just recently got

audio description um so that all all

that to say it's only in the past few

years that video games have started

getting audio description and it's been

so fun to try out new things with each

new game that decides to try it and Ross

you're an expert a specialist on this

you've been Consulting on how to make

this better but tell us how does it

actually work in practice and why does

it make such a big difference my name is

Ross Miner and I'm an accessibility

professional consultant specializing in

video games um and I'm on the

descriptive video works Advisory board

for audio descriptions and I'm an a also

an audio description narrator myself but

yeah so I mean on how does audio

description help it what it does is puts

us on an equal playing field as everyone

else we as blind people are able to

perceive and understand the same things

that are being presented to a cited

audience you know all the little uh

unspoken um gestures whether like hands

gestures or unspoken things that we

don't get to see um we now get to

experience and in terms of cutcenes in

terms of of fight scenes you know

there's a ton of that in video games and

so it really does

enhance the entire experience because a

game can be you know totally accessible

for blind people you can complete it

from beginning to end but you don't know

the story you don't know what's

happening during the cut scenes Well

audio description has now allowed us to

do that and as such you know I've gotten

to experience the last of us part one

and two and I'm currently playing

Spider-Man all with audio descriptions

and it's just it it's it's been

incredible he then leaps toward a second

coaster he lands on the coaster don't

worry I've got you Peter catches a

crossbow bolt circle Buton he Dodges

shots from Hunters Peter flips toward

them L1 he redirects a rocket onto the

hunters then lands on the coaster I uh

was was blinded at a young age and so I

used to play video games when I could

see and never did I think that I would

actually be able to play a video game um

just with all the mechanics and

experience the story in its entirety and

now I can't than to audio description

and there must have been a moment then

that you could come back to video games

you know you said you played them uh as

a child then you presumbly weren't able

to play them for a while while these

accessibility features weren't there

what did it mean to be able to go back

to that childhood

hobby oh man I mean it's you know Gamers

love Nostalgia and just being able to

play a game uh a AAA game you is it's

like its own form of nostalgia because

being able to just hold the controller

sit down and relax and like play a video

game I mean I lived for that as a kid

and I live for that now and it's funny

cuz when I could see I played the

Spider-Man 2 game on the PS2 and it

almost feels like full circle now I'm

now that I'm playing Spider-Man 2

obviously a different one but on the PS5

and it's it's it's just such a good

feeling because I'm able yeah play the

game experience the story but I'm also

able to converse online with others

about the story because I know

everything that's happening and and I

mean a huge reason I play video games is

for escapism but also for social

socializing you know uh interacting with

other people that have those similar

interests and it's one thing to have

gaming as a hobby it's another to then

decide to make it your job how did you

get into Consulting on

this yeah very good question so I first

began creating content on YouTube just

as a hobby um and I very much saw as

that when I first began creating but

then I realized I noticed how many

people whether blind or cited really

cared about accessibility and so I think

I was in the Paralympics at the time Co

just hit and I was like you know what

I'm going to do game accessibility

fulltime and so I retired and um I think

it was descriptive video works who

reached out to me and asked me if I

wanted to be on The Advisory board so of

course I said yes and this was before

they had uh even provided the

descriptions for the last of us and so

once they did that uh I knew I was in

the right place um because dvw has

honestly kind of been leading the way

when it comes to audio description and

video

games and Jenna how does it actually

work in practice so you have a studio

come to you and say we want to make sure

that our game is accessible what happens

next so I mean our our piece of the

puzzle is just one of several

accessibility features that will make a

game both playable and enjoyable by

people with uh low or no vision or even

with cognitive disabilities so we're not

the ones who go through and say hey this

is how you make your game fully playable

by blind people we are just one of

several features that will do that but

um we usually end up comparing our

workflow to TV and film because audio

description has been much more

established in TV and film for several

years now and it's a lot different

because usually when we write for TV and

film we are part of a post- production

step where all of the audio and visuals

have been very locked down and finalized

and it's uh it's easy to know what the

intended final visuals are going to be

because you can see them they're already

in that state by contrast for video

games they have a much longer

development cycle and the narration that

we create for the game is as much a part

of that game as any other dialogue or

music or sound effects so that means

that when we're seeing what we're

supposed to be describing it's not quite

done yet it's never quite done so it's a

bit more of a challenge it's it's really

fun because we get to reference all

sorts of different Source material to

know what the final visuals are going to

look like but it also means we don't see

everything all come together until the

game itself comes out we don't see like

what our narrator sounds like in the

scene with everything fully mixed

together we don't see like what all of

the final lighting and textures and

colors look like until everything

finally comes together but the fun part

of that is it does mean that we kind of

get to experience that first look at the

final version of it alongside everyone

else we get to see it all come together

and add to each other and just uh create

this harmonious experience for for for

everyone to uh like go through at the

same time as everybody else and it's

it's really great when what we've helped

make is additive to the game itself um

I've anytime a new game release comes

out that we've helped work on I spend

hours and hours just watching twitch

streams of people playing through it

with our audio description on and what I

notice is that people aren't commenting

on like the narrator's performance or

how we scripted things or like specific

things about the audio description

itself they're just reacting to the

story and sort of experiencing it the

same as any other player who didn't use

audio description and that parody is the

goal um we want all players to have as

close an experience emotionally and in

terms of gaml as possible we want

everyone to be able to participate in

this media and this art form with as

close an experience as possible but all

that to say the workflow is going to be

different for every single game for

every engine for every client because no

two things are the same there is no

average game there is no uh average game

length or game format or game tone or

accent there is uh thing there are

things that are going to be different

every single time but that's the fun

part of it because we get to make up new

rules for ourselves and we get to decide

some new cool stuff that we get to do

and those are what makes it that's what

makes it really really fun to put audio

description into new games and

presumably that whole process it's not

cheap um do you find that it's quite an

easy sell you have Studios coming to you

asking for this or do you have to go out

and really actually convince Studios

that this is the right thing to be

adding in I mean it's I would say it's

cheaper than you think obviously I'm not

I'm not going to give you a quote for

your game right now over this call but

it's it in in comparison to um wait

sorry how do I put this um I'll I'll

just say it's it's not as expensive as

you would think but given that we are

just one feature among several that

would make a game more accessible

usually by the time a studio comes to us

they have made that decision to strive

for full inclusivity and as much

accessibility as possible it doesn't

usually take much convincing because

because of Consultants like Ross um they

have already heard usually from several

different sources that like hey I want

to play this game um we have uh tested

it for you and as part of their

Consulting usually one of the things

that they will mention will be audio

description because in addition to like

Ross said in addition to knowing what

buttons to push and when to make it from

the beginning of the game to the end of

the game you want to know what's going

on um some presumably at some point in

between the start and end of the game

you want to be able to follow and

participate in the story you want to

know who you are what you're doing and

why and you want to be able to follow

that narrative so I do do some Outreach

to different game studios but for the

most part it is pretty internally

motivated when they come to us which is

really great to see that that shift in

the industry towards more accessibility

as time goes on and Ross we talked about

the last of us that game got uh a lot of

attention a lot of credit for its focus

on accessibility why do you think it was

that game that sort of kicked things off

a bit well I I think it's simply because

we've never seen a AAA game fully

Embrace accessibility on that level I

mean there there are many G High budget

games who had accessibility features but

this was you could tell across the board

that they were trying to accommodate for

all disabilities and I believe it

launched with somewhere around like 60

65 accessibility features which is just

again it was never heard of and as a

result of course it made a huge huge

Splash in the the disabled Gaming

Community but just in the Gaming

Community as as a whole because just to

give some

statistics 15 to 20% of the world has

some sort of disability but 25% of

Gamers identify as having some sort of

disability or being disabled and so not

only did these AC accessibility features

help me as someone who is blind or

someone who's hard of hearing but they

can help others who may not have known

that they need these accessibility

features and so I think you know with a

bunch of disabled people going oh wow

this is incredible I think that just

made a huge huge Splash and caused a lot

of other Gamers to like really

re-evaluate what they uh found important

in video games and yeah I mean it's just

been a snowball effect from from there

you know and I know that a lot of the

work here we've been talking about The

Last of Us Last of Us Part Two

Spider-Man 2 what a lot of these games

have in common is that they're

relatively linear uh story based games

do you think there's a challenge around

multiplayer games games with lots of

endings like a Boulders Gate 3 for

example accessibility in gaming is about

giving player the tool players the tools

they need to play the game on an equal

playing field and so yes I do agree that

these games are sort of linear but um I

do think that there is a lot of

potential for multiplayer games if you

take fors and Motorsport I have seen

blind people compete toe-to-toe with

side of people on online and when you

play online you don't have any uh uh

driving assists whatsoever when you

design accessibility features for online

gameplay yes there will be you'll have

to think outside the box you'll have to

do things a little bit differently than

you would um if it were just a single

player game but with force of Motorsport

and even Mortal Kombat it's it's proof

right there that give players the tools

they need they can play online with Able

Body players um and you know not have a

perceived advantage or disadvantage

Jenna it's quite a tough time in the

games industry uh obviously there's a

lot of layoffs a lot of consolidation

I'm wondering first of all do you think

that studios are going to continue to

invest to make sure that they're making

accessibility better than it is now uh

and then related to that is there

potentially a challenge that AI might be

seen as an answer for this and and

taking it kind of out of human hands and

putting it into uh into that an

artificial intelligence I I really wish

I had a crystal ball that I could

consult right now to know exactly how

the games industry is going to be going

in a few years because yeah it is very

tumultuous right now and of course I

hate seeing any announcement of layoffs

uh usually it's well

not it's it's not great to see people

that you've worked with personally be

affected by it um in addition to hearing

about all of these people whose jobs

were impacted by it we are a third-party

service provider so it's difficult to

say exactly how our work will be

impacted if at all but um in spite of

all the layoffs we have seen still a

growing Trend toward greater

accessibility especially in studios who

have already chosen to implement it in

previous games they've sort of set an

expectation for themselves and for their

peers to only go upward from there on

the business side of things it just

makes sense to care about such a large

percentage of people it is the world's

largest minority so it makes good

business sense to make accessibility

features that are going to allow more

people to consume your game there's a

difference between accessibility and

approachability um accessibility is just

removing barriers to uh intended it's

intended to remove barriers for people

with disabilities to be able to consume

your media it's removing things like uh

like putting in audio description

putting in navigation assistance putting

in a screen reader to remove barriers so

that uh all players can have a uh an

equivalent experience approachability is

making it appealing to more people so

that's not what we're talking about here

we don't want every game to be you know

Bland and watered de and not have any

controversial narratives or anything

like that no we just want it to be

physically possible for everyone to play

it if at all possible and that just

makes good business sense we we want

more people to be able to play more

games even if you wouldn't necessarily

choose to even if it's not your cup of

tea you want it to be an option that's

available to you not something that is

just closed off because you can't

physically play the game and of course

we have to address the uh the AI is the

the buzz of the industry right now

trying to replace humans or increase

efficiency right now we're not really

seeing that yet in our particular line

of work we might reassess that in a few

years but we're not seeking out any AI

tools especially not to replace uh human

writers narrators or mixers we are not

um using it to replace any creative

workflows right now to some extent it's

unavoidable I think in one of my

software tools like the spell check is

technically AI powered which you know

we're we're not going to go out of our

way to avoid that but I'm always going

to take my cues uh from the ACB and The

nfb Who currently have issued statements

strongly condemning the use of synthetic

voices in audio description and in

writing I'm going to take my cues from

them and from what are our viewers and

customers want more so than what is the

cheapest or easiest or the the fastest

option that's available to us because

creating the highest quality possible

audio description is more important than

than anything else Ross we've talked

about quite a lot of very positive

examples so far I'm wondering if you

have any where things have really fallen

short or kind of anything that you want

to happen in the industry to make things

better where's there still work to be

done yeah well in terms of audio

description um I mean so like starting

with The Last of Us Part One only

strictly cinematic cutcenes were

described and you know some people found

that to be a bummer but it's constantly

gotten better um with each kind of

iteration of video games that have had

audio descriptions provided um case in

point with Spider-Man 2 audio

descriptions now play during um kind of

in-game cut scenes that kind of flow

into quick events and it's actually

quite seamless and so of

course I really I think just the only

con I see right now is that not enough

games have audio description I think

that there's no reason not to have them

because many people think that they're

only just for blind people but in fact

um many people use them whether they

have a cognitive disability or even if

you just need to temporarily look away

from the screen um if something else is

distracting you like that's where audio

descriptions come into play and

so as far as yeah just anything that um

really needs to be improved I would say

just the the frequency of audio

descriptions I think um there's still

always more room to to just pack as many

audio descriptions um in a game as

possible so the frequency and then just

yeah the number of games that have

descriptions because uh there are still

many many games where I would love to

actually experience the story how it was

was meant to be

experienced and a last one from me have

there been any moments in the narration

where you you know it's really shocked

to you or it's being particularly funny

or I don't know just a moment where

people who don't have it switched on

will have missed something that could

have been

amazing oh I mean just like I know he

keeps saying like Spider-Man for example

but like the I'm reaching the end of the

game and so I don't want to

give too many spoilers but um just just

really the cut scenes between like the

bosses and the fight scenes first off

all of that you know if you don't have

the descriptions on it's literally just

like Grunts and punching sounds and

that's it um or even unspoken dialogue

you know facial expressions hand

gestures um all that stuff is a miss and

so whether it is Spider-Man or The Last

of Us um or Mortal Kombat they have just

been so many things in video games that

I didn't realize I was missing until

they were described to me and that was

the case with movies when I began uh

watching movies with audio descriptions

I was like oh I know everything that's

happening and then I actually listen I'm

like oh wow there's so much and so like

Mortal Kombat actually being able to

watch all the fatalities and their

gruesome gory detail I think it is

just I I don't want to say like people

take it for granted

but I just feel like I'm experiencing

the game like everyone else and it it

just it's it's a really good feeling

because at the end of the day this is

what inclusivity feels like and to know

that I was you know people with my

disability were

considered just really really means the

world Jenna same question to you is

there any one moment where you thought

this was really cool

oh I love this question this is great

there's I I have had to do some very

strange research at times to ensure the

audio description is is accurate my

Google search history could uh probably

get me on a list somewhere for the the

weird terms that I've had to look up

everything from martial arts moves to

wrestling moves to uh what kind of

animal is this and all sorts of things

so there are definitely I I don't know

if I would call them Easter eggs but

like additional information sprinkled

throughout the audio description that

sometimes draws attention to things that

you might not have noticed before but

might also uh give some some more depth

to some of these characters and and

events that you already love but I think

there was this one particular moment um

with interspersed qtees and cinematics

near the beginning of Spider-Man 2 that

was sort of the the really cool moment

for me uh QuickTime events are where the

game gives you a button prompt and those

button prompts are read via the game's

screen reader and those blend seamlessly

with the Cinematic events which are

audio described that are kind of

interspersed in between those so it'll

give you button prompt thing happens

button prompt thing happens and it tells

you exactly what you did exactly how you

were successful or not successful it

tells you what the characters are doing

and it was really cool to see all of

that come together because I had seen

each of those little individual dozens

of pieces up until that point I've seen

you know a 5-second video clip and then

a 3-second video clip and then a

12-second video clip I had never seen it

fully come together until I played

through it myself and that moment where

everything sort of seamlessly Blends

into this holistic experience

that really makes you feel like

Spider-Man was just it was just cool it

was so cool and I loved that so that was

the moment for me and it's those cool

moments that I I imagine just makes it

all all really worthwhile thank you so

much definitely Jenna Ross thank you for

for chatting to us uh really appreciate

it thank you so much