Video Game Accessibility Symposium

Game Accessibility Innovation Network (GAINetwork) UCL &  RNIB

Save the dates for this free, fun three‑day event filled with creative energy and insightful discussions on game accessibility.

UCL BaseKX

<h2>Video Game Accessibility Symposium</h2>This symposium is a collaborative initiative between UCL and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), bringing together expertise to advance game accessibility. The symposium spans three focused days, each highlighting a different dimension of game accessibility.Check out the full programme <a href="https://gainetwork.vercel.app/symposium-programme.pdf" title="https://gainetwork.vercel.app/symposium-programme.pdf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">here</a>, or visit our <a href="https://gainetwork.vercel.app/" title="https://gainetwork.vercel.app/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">website</a>. Wednesday (22 April) opens with a hands‑on game jam and an industry showcase highlighting accessible design in action. Thursday (23 April) transitions into a conference format featuring a series of panel discussions on collaboration between academia and industry, policymaking for game accessibility, and the perspectives of end users. Friday (24 April) offers individual presentations on current research, innovations, and emerging challenges, and concludes with a workshop focusing on strengthening collaboration, supporting sustainability, and shaping long‑term strategies for the community. Day 1 – Wednesday, 22 April: Game Jam &amp; Industrial Showcase10:15 – 10:30Welcome – Claire Thomson, Head of School of SELCS, UCL10:30 – 11:00Introduction to the Game Jam and Industrial Showcases11:00 – 13:00Game Jam &amp; Industrial Showcase13:00 – 14:00Lunch14:00 – 16:30Game Jam &amp; Industrial Showcase16:30 – 17:00Debriefing and wrap up Day 2 – Thursday, 23 April: Game Accessibility Symposium - Panel Discussions10:00 – 10:10Welcome and Introduction10:10 – 10:30Opening Remarks – Will Lovegrove, Director of Strategic Innovation Partnerships, UCL10:30 – 11:15Panel 1: Building Stronger Bridges Between Academia and StakeholdersHost: Xiaochun Zhang, UCLPanellists:- Carme Mangiron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona- Robin Sloan, Abertay University- Zou Yuan, University of Surrey- Jozef Kulik, PlaytestCloud- John Thornewill, Rednought11:15 –11:30Coffee break11:30 – 12:15Panel 2 - Accessibility Related Policy in the Gaming SectorHost: Hubert Pawelkiewicz, Connect RadioPanellists:- John Paton, RNIB- Aaron Spelker, ACB- Cinzia Musio, UKIE12:15 - 13:30Lunch13:30 – 14:15Panel 3: The Player Experience: Insights from End UsersHost: Hubert Pawelkiewicz, Connect RadioPanellists:- Ben Breen, RNIB- Jonny Marshall, RNIB- Mathew Allcock14:15 –14:30Closing remarks for day 115:00-17:00Informal Social Event (participants pay for their own refreshments)Location: <a href="babelbeerhouse.com" title="babelbeerhouse.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Babel Beerhouse</a>, 1 Lewis Cubitt Walk, London N1C 4DLDay 3 – Friday, 24 April: Game Accessibility Symposium - Individual presentations and GAINetwork workshop10:00 – 10:15Welcome and Introduction10:15 – 11:15Individual Presentations – Research TrendsChair: Robin Sloan, Abertay University- Rhizoma VR: RNIB XR Toolkit, Lynsay Shepherd, Abertay University- Inclusive Gaming: Audio Description for Diverse Audiences, Zou Yuan, University of Surrey- Can Easy-to-Understand Language Improve Game Accessibility for Players with Dyslexia? Results from an Exploratory Study.Carme Mangiron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona11:15-11:30Coffee break11:30-12:30Individual presentations – Industrial DevelopmentChair: Miguel Bernal-Merino- Beyond The Screen: Non-Visual Mental Mapping in Virtual Environments, Tanish Raorane- A Week in the Life of a Game Accessibility Manager, Rodrigo Sanchez- So what does accessibility ACTUALLY mean then?, John Thornewill, Rednought12:30 – 13:30Lunch13:30 – 14:30GAINetwork Workshop – Pathways to a Sustainable Network14:30- 15:00Closing Reflections – Sonali Rai, Senior Manager, Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team, RNIB Cross-Sensory Game Jam, University of Bristol TeamThe Cross-Sensory Game Jam invites people (sighted or visually impaired) to explore how we can include more non-visual senses (e.g., touch, smell, taste) in games. There will be a range of experiences to explore like tactile shape-changing materials, making associations between senses, voice-controlled interactions, and embodied games. Prototype your own sensory games and communicate ideas with tangible materials.The game jam is organised by researchers from the University of Bristol. Audio and video recording will be taking place during this event, please let us know if you do not want to be recorded. If you wish to take part in our research study, you will be asked to sign a consent form, answer a few questions, and allow us to film your game prototype. ShowcasesHodr Engine demo, Freya Shaw and Daniel JonesThe Hodr Engine, developed by Immersion Sound Studio, is a spatial audio creation tool for those of any sight condition and technical skill level to create immersive experiences such as audio games and interactive soundscapes.Using a top down, screen reader friendly grid, users can place sound files from the engine’s built in library of music and sound effects composed by award winning musicians, or import their own sounds. They can then add interactions and audio effects, such as reverb and echo, to build layered spatial environments.Once run, these environments can be explored from a first person perspective and packaged as apps that users can share as they wish.The Hodr Engine user interface, developed by registered blind software developer and sound designer Freya Shaw, runs on an audio engine powered by <a href="https://github.com/ideoforms/signalflow" title="https://github.com/ideoforms/signalflow" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">SignalFlow</a>, created by Daniel Jones, who developed the 3D audio engine for the BAFTA nominated audio mobile games, Papa Sangre and The Nightjar.The grid based interface can also connect to external software, allowing content to be presented within the grid in a format that is accessible to screen reader users. Hodr Engine is being developed for a beta release in 2026. Seeing Through AI, Li Lin, University of the Arts LondonSeeing Through AI is a research project exploring how AI-driven real-time audio description can make mainstream video games more accessible for blind and visually impaired players. By combining computer vision, natural language processing, and user-centered design, the project develops an adaptive system that narrates gameplay, supports navigation, and enhances immersion in fast-paced interactive environments. Through prototype development and user testing, the research investigates how AI can reduce visual barriers, improve inclusivity, and create richer gaming experiences for visually impaired audiences. The project aims to contribute both a functional accessibility tool and practical guidelines for the future of inclusive game design. Virtual Guide Dogs, John Thornewill, Red NoughtRed Nought's "Virtual Guide Dogs" is an innovative solution designed to help blind and visually impaired individuals navigate complex environments unassisted. The system combines low-cost augmented reality headsets, like the Meta Quest 3, with Red Nought's proprietary game engine technology. Unlike standard smart canes or glasses that merely identify or describe obstacles, this holistic system uses real-time AR mapping to convert environments into 3D meshes. It calculates safe routes and uses a dynamic, "follow-me" spatial audio guide to automatically steer users around hazards, including moving people or furniture. Built on a proven, modular game development platform, the solution features built-in route-finding capabilities where users simply select a destination, such as a meeting room. We will be carrying out interactive demonstrations of the technology to gather feedback from users, both sighted and visually impaired. RNIB's Devkit and Spectrum Shift, RNIB and T&amp;PIn RNIB's 2022 Accessible Gaming Report developers said they didn't feel confident that they knew how to make games accessible. To help with this RNIB's devkit is designed to not just describe the accessibility features that help blind and partially sighted people but to demonstrate them through the game, Spectrum Shift. RNIB commissioned T&amp;P to produce a set of videos with a clear connecting narrative that demonstrate common accessibility features and how to build them into gameplay.The Spectrum Shift stand will debut these videos and enable delegates to try them out and discuss the Devkit. If you have any questions, please contact the organiser Dr Xiaochun Zhang (xiaochun.zhang@ucl.ac.uk).

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Video Game Accessibility Symposium

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Video Game Accessibility Symposium

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