blind people can play it, Microsoft explains how

blind people can play it Microsoft explains how
Accessibility for all is an essential subject for Microsoft and the Xbox teams, we have known this for years. The American firm is investing heavily to allow people with disabilities to play all video games. Latest feat: allowing visually impaired people to play the next Forza Motorsport. A feature that was developed jointly with people in this situation, but also with Brandon Cole, visually impaired accessibility consultant. To allow these people who cannot see to play Forza Motorsport, sound cues have been developed so that they can navigate the game’s tracks. Special sounds, but also detailed descriptions have therefore been placed during the races from the accessibility menu. You will obviously have to get used to this feature in order to master it and thus drive normally with these aids, which will allow people to be oriented on the circuit, allow them to anticipate turns, slow down or even sting accelerations. Everything was done for a driver in manual and automatic transmission. Brandon Cole, the consultant, specifies that this functionality is not usable easily and instinctively from the start. It will take time to get used to, but the promise is made that the learning curve can allow you to get used to it.

One-touch driving

That’s not all, Forza Motorsport has also been developed for other handicap situations, such as being able to drive with just one touch. A feature that was developed between gamers and Xbox User Research. These are features designed for people who have difficulty pressing several buttons simultaneously, picking up a controller or keeping a button pressed. As a result, a customization of the controls has been put in place, whether it is the gear change, the control of the driving assistance and the brake, through the all new acceleration and steering assistance. entering the pits, it will be possible to adapt the controls to your needs.

The narrator mode

The Turn10 studio has also thought of introducing a narrator mode, customizable as needed there too, and thus navigate the menus and play quietly. The game also allows you to modify the volume, the pitch of the voice and its speed, as well as to choose the voice of the narrator.

Description of features dedicated to accessibility

Driving assistance for the blind: the blind and visually impaired will be able to use the additional sound information to navigate the tracks, improve their times and finish the races. You will be able to activate each set of sound cues independently and modify the pitch of the voice like the volume, according to your needs.

One-touch driving: you will be able to choose how to activate the assistances for the brakes, the driving of your car and the acceleration, in order to reduce the number of buttons to be pressed simultaneously. These assists will allow you to customize the experience and play with as many assists as you want.

Narrator mode: you can activate it to obtain information from the interface and help you navigate the menus. You will also be able to customize the narration system, this will give you more flexibility to choose what information will be relayed to you.
Dynamic Audio Description: The audio description of in-game cutscenes will change depending on the time of day and weather conditions of the current race.

Voice-to-text and text-to-voice transcription: you can use these options to chat with others during multiplayer games and send messages using a synthetic voice thanks to text-to-voice transcription, or read different discussions thanks to voice-to-text transcription.

Modes dedicated to color blind people: if you have tritanopia, deuteranopia or protanopia, you can change certain colors of the interface to better distinguish the information on the screen and the most important elements.

Filters dedicated to color blindness: if you have tritanopia, deuteranopia or protanopia, you can add a filter on the 3D rendering of cars, tracks, drivers, cinematics and more, in order to better distinguish the colors of your choice.
Configuring controller controls: You can completely reconfigure them in the settings, for more flexibility in the way you play.

Subtitles: you can activate them, adjust the font size and the opacity of their background.

Audio customization settings: you can independently change the volume of different sounds, in order to create the audio experience you prefer.

Difficulty level of opponents: when you face the artificial intelligence, you can change the level of difficulty of this one.
Text Size: Adjust menu texts with different options. You will also be able to change the size of the game’s heads-up display.

Contrast: increase the contrast of the interface and the elements present on the screen to improve their readability.

Dynamic backgrounds: you can deactivate them to make navigation and reading in the menus more comfortable.

We continue to commit to greater accessibility. We’re always listening to gamers and working to create features that allow more people to enjoy the games they love. We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to bring even more of you to experience Forza Motorsport.

The release of Forza Motorsport is expected this year, without further details and will be available on PC, Xbox Series and day one on Xbox Game Pass, and via Cloud Gaming (in Beta).

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