Designing, Building, and Evaluating Accessible Music Games
Stage 2 - Confex Level 1
-All-Audio & Sound DesignDiversity, Accessibility & InclusionGame Design
Information
How can industry and academia work together to ensure that we meet the needs of all our players?
In this talk, Dr Alexander Horowitz – an experienced academic as well as the Audio Director at Electronic Arts’ Criterion in Guildford, UK – unpacks findings from his PhD research in game development and eight years of experience in audio direction, including work on large-scale projects including the Grammy-nominated Hogwarts Legacy.
Dr Horowitz will offer both theoretical insights and practical advice on designing, developing, and testing accessible music games. In addition to identifying a set of best practices for developers aiming to reach a wider audience, he will share his process of creating SoundTown, a new accessible music game designed for children and young people with complex physical and cognitive needs.
Target Audiences
Game designers. producers, studio heads, and execs interested in accessibility. Anyone from the audio discipline - designers, programmers, and producers. Educators and academics with an interest in the intersection of audio and accessibility.
Experience Level
Beginner
Key Take Aways
- An understanding of the background of (dis)ability
- An understanding of the argument for accessibility across games and music-making
- Insight into an approach for designing, developing, and evaluating new accessible music games
Session Type
Talk
