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Hear We GoA game for the Visually

Impaired

Sesha Sendhil Subramanian

Achyut Potheri Balaji

Le Tan Thanh

Tri Nguyen Minh

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Table of Contents

1 Project Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 2

1.1 Context ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................. 2

1.2 Background ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 2

1.3 Problem ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 2

2 Project Details ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 3

2.1 Synopsis ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 3

2.2 Game Play ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 3

2.2.1 Single Player modes ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 3

2.2.2 Multiplayer mode ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 4

2.3 Accessibility ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 4

3 Market Demand ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 5

3.1 Survey Analysis ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 5

3.2 Market Analysis ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 5

4 Benefits ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 5

4.1 For the Visually Impaired ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5

4.2 For Sighted people ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 6

4.3 For MCYS ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 6

5 Qualifications and Experience ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 6

6 Budget ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 7

7 Timeline ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 8

8 A Final word ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 9

9 Appendix ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 9

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1 Project Introduction

1.1 ContextIn response to the MCYSs RFP forgameswhich educate and entertain PWDs,published in the

August issue of the World of IT Monthly, we would like submit this description of our game,

tentatively titled Hear We Go", for the visually impaired.

1.2 BackgroundAccording to blah, visual impairment is the blahmostcommon impairment in the world and

over 6.5% of the people in the world are visually impaired. Whilein 2009 alone over 800

games were released for the sighted people, the visually impaired have had to make do with

only 400 releases over the past decade. We believe that VIPs are those who can benefit from

technology the most and this is in line with MCYSs Enabling masterplan. Yet the visuallyimpaired community is left behind in this digital age.Hence, we came up with an idea of a game

to entertain, educate as well as help the visually impaired become independent in life.

1.3 ProblemOne of the major challenges the visually impaired face is walking on the roads. In our times

almost any activity one does involves his/her walking on the roads. For example simple day-

to-day activities like grocery shopping, buying medicines etc. involve at least some amount of

commuting by foot and this is probably the toughest part of a visually impaired persons

journey since there is always a greater chance of a friendly shop attendant helping him/her

at the store than a passer-by helping him/her navigate the street. Moreover, the streets are

also the most unsafe places for the visually impaired. In 2009 alone, over 200 million Visually

Impaired Persons (Hereafter referred to as VIPs) met with accidents on the streets, gullies

and boulevards of the world. Also, 75% of all the pedestrian accidents in Singapore in 2009

involved VIPs and the elderly.

Thus, we came up with this game, Hear we go, to help VIPs safely navigate the roads. Our

game can also help in educating the VIPs about the various objects they may encounter inthe course of their journey in the game. The game is not targeted at any particular age group

and anyone with basic computer or game console knowledge can play it and have fun.

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2 Project Details

2.1 SynopsisGame Title:Hear we go

Genre:Adventure

Mode:Single Player/ Multi Player

Platform: PC, MAC

Hear We Go features a fully audio game play also with basic 3-Dgraphics in which a visually

impaired players avatar moves around in any street or neighbourhood in Singapore. The game

is set to give a realistic experience of being on the roads with the map of Singapore being

constantly updated through the internet via Microsoft Mappoint and Google Maps[see

Appendix]. The player is aided by a GPS (Global Positioning Device) which gives directions

through voice commands. In the course of the players journey he/she might hear different

sounds like traffic, a dog barking, a thunder strike etc. and is required to identify these sounds.

The player can also view other information about the object or phenomenon as the game in also

linked with the database of the open-source encyclopaedia, Wikipedia.

2.2 Game Play2.2.1 SinglePlayermodes

Free RoamIn this mode the player can move around the map as he wishes. Whenever there is an

intersection or there is more than one path that can be chosen, his GPS device informs

him and he can choose which path to take. The GPS device guides him by way of voice

commands and different sounds and scenarios will be played out, along the course of the

players journey, to which he\she has to react. The player can also learn more about the

object identified, as mentioned earlier. At any point of time, the player can switch to the

Hear I go mode described below.

Hear I goIn this mode the player can enter any address in Singapore and the GPS d evice will guide

the player through voice commands. If the player misses a turn or so the GPS device will

also calculate a new route. In this mode too different sounds and scenarios will be

played out just as in the Free Roam mode.

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God ModeArmageddon is upon us. Its raining meteorites from the skies. Planes are crashing into

neighbourhoods. The GPS device guides the player to the army rescue camp. However,

the GPS device will only function as long as the satellites are still up in the sky. Hence,

the player must be quick and cannot afford to make mistakes in following directions.The player must also dodge the fireballs, planes, exploding man holes and other such

obstacles to get to the camp alive. The player must have acute sense of hearing and must

be accustomed to any sound that might be thrown at him. Players who successfully

complete this level will have their names put up on our Website.

2.2.2 MultiplayermodeIn this mode, the player can connect to the Hear We Gogame server through the

internet and go on a free roam in the city where there will be other players Strolling too.

The player can interact with the other players by talking over the microphone and can

also engage in group walks.

2.3 Accessibility

Vivid descriptions and distinctive sounds will be implemented in a 360 degree surroundsound system to help the visually impaired navigate through the game, hence, requiring

headphones which will be provided with each game.

Directions can be given out by the GPS device in the game in8 different languagesnamely English, Chinese, Tamil, German, French, Hindi, Malay and Spanish

Player can move about by means of either a keyboard or Joystick Our innovative AllNaVTMalgorithm facilitates easy navigation by the player.

When the GPS device tells the player to turn in a particular direction, the playerresponds by either moving the joystick or the arrow keys on the keyboard.

The movement is gradual as it would be by a Visually Impaired Person in real lifeand when the player is in the correct orientation w.r.t the path, an audible sound

and vibration to the joystick(if device supports it) is given so as to give tactile

feedback.

This is also very useful in cases where the road is not linear and slightly curves.In such situations too the AllNaVTM takes over.

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3 Market Demand3.1 SurveyAnalysisFrom 23rd to 27th of September 2010, we conducted a survey and made a presentation to 300

members of Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) to inquire into thefeasibility of the game. 278 (92.67%) patients stated they were interested in the game and

would like to buy it once it was released. Besides, all 6 interviewed doctors believed that the

idea of the game is practical.One doctor stated that if the game is able to achieve what is

described in the presentation, their works would be greatly reduced because the daily lessons

could be incorporated into the game,which would definitely make teaching easier. With these

facts, we are confident that we can make the game a success. Refer to appendix for some

questions we have used.

3.2 MarketAnalysisThough the main audience for audio games with minimal graphics is primarily visually impaired

users, the market for video games is gradually taking more notice of audio games due to the

issue of game accessibility, hence increasing the production rate dramatically over the past few

years.

The community of players and developers strengthens with sites such as Audiogames.net, which

seems to imply that this new medium is in a very promising phase of expansion.

Recently, audio games have also become very interesting for the mobile gaming market since no

screen is needed.

4 Benefits4.1 For the Visually ImpairedTo give people with visual disabilities the chance to have access to multimedia games leads to

better inclusion and participation in society. This is in line with the Enabling MasterPlan

2007-2011

Learn skills that can be applied in daily life i.e. navigating the roads and learning torecognize different sounds.

Entertain them and keep them active intellectually Help them be socially active through the multiplayer modes Sharpen their hearing abilities and their reflexes Educate the visually impaired through the details embedded from the internet and

wikipedia

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4.2 ForSighted peopleThe eye strains encountered with the normal games will be eliminated and sighted gamers will

also experience a thrilling aural challenge. This game would surely develop a great market for

sighted gamers.

4.3 ForMCYSIf this game were to be successfully developed, it will be the first ever adventure game to be

developed in Singapore for the visually impaired.

Visually impaired persons from around the world can also play the game and this will, thereby,

help promote the name of MCYS and Singapore.

This game will bring attention to the visually impaired, informing the general public that the

persons with disabilities (PWDs) have not been forgotten.

5 Qualifications and ExperienceOur team has specialized in Game Development and Educational Software Development

for the past few years. Our team is comprised of 4 well experienced designers who have

worked on many successful and well known projects in the past.

SeshaSendhil Subramanian

y ProjectLeadery Bachelors degree in Computer Sciencey Specialization in Game Developmenty Attended 24 months training at the Republic of Korea on an attachment to

NEXON

y Was the project leader in various award winning game projects such asWHERE R U, UP UP N AWAY!

Le Tan Thanh

y Chief System Analysty Bachelors degree in Information Systemsy Specialization in Networks and Communication

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y Attended 24 months training at the Republic of Korea on an attachment toNEXON

y Part of the team which produced award winning games like WHERE RU, THE WORD NOT TAKEN.

Tri Nguyen Minh

y Chief Programmery Bachelors degree in Communication Mediay Specialization in Game Developmenty Chief programmer of the team which developed award winning games

such as WHERE R U , UP UP N AWAY and THE WORD NOT TAKEN.

AchyutPotheriBalaji

y Chief Designery Bachelors degree in Communication Mediay Specialization in Human Computer interactiony Part of the team which produced a report on the interaction between

Human and Computer Sound.

y Part of the team which developed award winning games such as WHERER U , MOBIUS FACTOR.

6 BudgetCategories Cost (SGD)

Product manufacturing 50,000

Testing (Version 1.0) 40,000

Testing (Versions 0.1 and 0.2) 12,000

Infrastructure (multiplayer servers) 8,000

Product Packaging 20,000

Dolby Digital Surround Headphones 5,000

Publicity 30,000

Grand total 185,000

Explanatory notes:

Product manufacturing: The processes involved in the making of our product, including

planning, programming, and designing.

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Testing(Version 1.0): The final testing phase of our product, which aims at the mass community.

Testing(Versions 0.1 and 0.2): The first 2 testing phases of our product, aiming at a small number

of users, to improve the features of the product.

Infrastructure (multiplayer servers):The platform that allows our games users to play online.

Product Packaging: Since our game will be distributed in the form of software, we need to

conduct the packaging process. This would be done through our contract with a packaging firm.

Dolby Digital Surround Headphones: The headphones are necessary for best utilisation of the

softwares inbuilt sounds. We have signed a two year contract with pleomax to supply us with

these digital headphones.

Publicity: Our advertising activities.

7 TimelineWe plan to be working on different parts of the project simultaneously. Programming for thenext version of the game will be started based on inputs from the programmers of previousversions as well as testers in such a way that the process might overlap with the testing periodof the previous version. As a result of this overlap, the overall length of the project is expected tobe around 130 days.

Task Name Duration

Gather Information 5 days

Preliminary Design 5 days

Final Design 10 days

User Interface Design 5 days

Programming Version 1 21 days

Testing 7 days

Programming Version 2 30 days

Testing 14 days

Programming Final product 30 days

Testing 21 days

Beta Release 14 days

Final Product Release 1 day

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