Accessible game worlds for the blind and severely visually impaired; Mudding as an inclusive gaming experience

We at 2of1 from Mettlach an der Saarschleife are delighted to be able to present our talk “Barrier-free game worlds for the blind and severely visually impaired; Mudding as an inclusive gaming experience” at this year’s SightCity. Muds are text-based online role-playing games, a form of interactive fiction with a multiplayer character, in which the head cinema replaces the graphics and all senses are focused on the written word. Richard Emling, blind and a passionate Mud player since 2008, and Pascale Krambrock, who witnessed the creation of Unitopia in the early 1990s as a student at the University of Stuttgart, talk not only about the technical and playful aspects of these unique games, but also about their very personal story: they met at Mudding and have been a couple ever since. We show how Muds not only provide accessible entertainment for blind and visually impaired people, but also enable real social encounters and deep connections. Be inspired by a virtual world in which inclusion is not just a buzzword, but a living reality. We look forward to seeing you.