Hi everyone, this is a biggie. We've just started a petition to get an 'Audio' game genre on to the Apple App Store. We believe this will provide a great boost to audio game players and developers alike. If we're successful in this, we'll be doing the same for other platforms. If you wish to support this campaign, please visit this link, and share it wherever you can:
https://www.change.org/audio-games
Here's the full open letter to Apple (copied from the petition)-
As people, connected through a world of technology, each and every one of us should be looking for ways to innovate. We should be looking to develop exciting concepts with the aim of connecting the world through positive and inclusive actions.
Developers, Tech Users, Players, Writers, Narrative Explorers, Accessible Gamers, Late Night Gamers, Challenge Cravers, Sound Nerds, Innovative Designers…
These are just some of the vital links in the chain of technology and entertainment, and Purple Jam’s mission is to strengthen that chain further -
- by bringing the engrossing world of Audio Games firmly into earshot.
Audio Games, that is, games that use audio as the primary medium or prominent feature, are far from new to the market. In fact, the idea of audio driven games has been iterated on for nearly three decades. Now, we think it’s time that the hidden world of Audio Games is unveiled - revealing unexplored regions of the ever-growing gaming world.
The benefits of helping to grow the genre are undeniable.
The accessible benefits of Audio Games for the Blind and Partially sighted - bridging the gap between technology and those who can’t access that technology is undoubtedly a force for good. With 39 million blind people and 285 million visually impaired people, developing creative ideas that appeal directly to gamers from this demographic has to be a positive change.
Other gamers aren’t to be forgotten here. Alternative forms of gaming, like music, puzzle and simulation games make up a substantial portion of the gaming industry. With the App Store’s most popular category being Games, a question comes to mind - just how many alternative games make up the staggering 984,000 available as of 2021?
Whether that portion is perceived as substantial or not, the negative effects of inadvertently shadowing Audio Games are plentiful – fewer titles get developed - fewer forms of entertainment exist in the gaming world - potential players are unaware of the breadth of gaming fulfillment - levels of accessibility in the gaming industry are hindered - the gaming industry has an unexplored area of growth… the list goes on.
Ultimately, people don’t get to experience this inclusive and uniquely immersive form of gaming.
The cost of bringing all of this to life? Creating a category on your App Store.
We’re writing this letter in the hope that you add the sub-category of Audio, to the category of Games, on your store - showcasing the 400 plus Audio Games available on iOS at the moment.
We sincerely hope you find this letter and consider what can only be described as a positive, inclusive move into the future of Gaming.
Kindest regards,
Purple Jam
Comments
I'll sign it
I think that this is a great idea!
accessible games
I hope in the futures of apps store.
it can display the app's accessibility
The big 100!
We've just hit 100 signatures! Thank you so much. Our next step is to try and get charities backing us. If you happen to know someone involved in a blind or VI charity, please do share out petition with them.
https://change.org/audio-games
Signed. good idea. I'd…
Signed. good idea. I'd personally like to see some sort of accessibility standard that developers can aspire to such as a gold rated accessibility rating, or something, and for that to be plugged into the algorithm so more compliant games and apps get more exposure.
This is a great idea though. I think there are certainly enough games to make this work now. Bring back papa, I say.
Signed and donated
It takes only one minute to sign it. Please get off your lazy butts and sign it.
We just hit 200 signatures!
Hey everyone!
We just hit 200 signatures, which is tremendously exciting, thanks so much! We have the RNIB (the UK's biggest Blind and VI charity) sharing the signature across their social media platforms in the next week or so, and we've just finished e-mailing every Blind and VI charity in the UK asking for their
As we're UK based, we're not sure where to start in the US or elsewhere, if anyone has any links with charities please do let us know.
Thanks again for your support, we can do this!
Harry from Purple Jam.
Sign the petition here-
https://www.change.org/audio-games
just signed and donated
just signed and donated. it'll be interesting to see if it works. Apple usually don't give petitions
any heed, hope this one gets media attention, as then, with media attention, Apple is more likely to do what you're asking. Apple at times, listens to media stories, hope this makes the news!
300 signatures and an upcoming video!
We just hit 300 signatures! That's great progress in such a short space of time. We'll be launching a video in the coming week to celebrate, featuring a number of well known Audio Game players talking about their love for audio games, and why they're so important. If you have a reason why you love Audio Games, please do share it.
All the best
Harry from Purple Jam.
A good idea
This sounds like a good idea but for one big problem, Apple and their total lack of
any guidelines on accessibility when reviewing apps and games.
Without these being in place a label is meaningless as all developers will tick any box if it means a few more sales.
I have had many apps and games rejected for all sorts of reasons that apply to the sighted community but not once has
accessibility been a issue. In some cases i have had to state that the app or game is for a blind / vi audience to get it through the review process. every time this occurs i get no response just the fact the app or game sails through the review process.
This may sound like a jaded point of view but labels are not the problem
the hap hazard app review process and its total lack of enforceable guidelines relating to accessibility are.
Personally i wuld rather it stayed the same as having aple dictate accessibility to me would be insulting. The current state of play is workable as the community will find a11y apps and games and any developer who wants to eat will promote their app or game.
from John the idiot who coded Knight Commander
Interview with Liam Erven
Hey there everyone, we were lucky enough to have a chat with the mighty Liam Erven about the importance of Audio Games. Here's the first of many clips from that talk.
https://youtu.be/ROcrdDVpPCg
To help get audio games as sub-category on the App Store, sign here: http://change.org/audio-games
just loved it mate.
I have to say that you guys are banging it. I hope that apple will approve the sub-category and give us an equal chance to play audio game and let the cited community know that we can play as well..
We're at over 500 signatures!
Hey everybody!
Brilliant news! We're now at over 500 signatures on this.
We also interviewed Liam Erven and Sam Seavey to get their thoughts on how important audio games are and what a difference this would make. Check it out below:
A clip from Liam's interview: https://youtu.be/ROcrdDVpPCg
A clip from Sam's interview: https://youtu.be/Rvr1XBBrIS4
Let's keep this going!
Harry