User-generated accessibility in virtual world games

Abstract

Video games as an entertainment venue and business category continue to grow rapidly. Despite their increasing cultural relevance there is little discussion about the experience of video game players with disabilities, especially in virtual world games. There are, however, examples of games with very successful players with a wide variety of disabilities. One such virtual world video game is Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft. The user interface design and approach of World of Warcraft serves as an example of one way play can be opened to a wide variety of payer abilities while also enhancing the play of all users. Additionally, the application of the principles of Universal Design for Learning offer a method by which game designers can consider accessibility in the design of user interfaces and by which game researchers can evaluate the accessibility of interfaces.