Designing Games for Autistic Players: A Guide to Creating Inclusive Experiences

The gaming industry is gradually becoming more aware of the need for accessibility, but efforts to cater to neurodiverse players, including those with autism, have been limited. To bridge this gap, it's essential to understand and support neurodiversity in the workplace and incorporate accessibility features into game development from the outset. Changingday, the Scottish developer behind the VR title Blinnk and the Vacuum of Space, has made it their mission to create a game specifically designed for autistic players, with autistic individuals involved at every stage of development. The studio's co-founders, Alison and Nick Lang, emphasize the importance of research, testing, and feedback in creating an autistic-friendly game. They note that autism is a broad spectrum, and taking the time to understand it is crucial in defining the target audience. The game's design focuses on providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience, with features such as preparing players for new situations, providing relaxing areas, and allowing players to tweak sounds and colors to avoid overwhelm. The game also avoids unexpected situations, failed states, and time limits, instead offering a pressure-free experience. The developers hope to release versions of the game for various VR headsets and are already working on a second title, incorporating feedback from the autistic community and exploring new technologies, such as face tracking and eye tracking, to create more inclusive experiences.