2017-08-15 18:32:22 (edited by ea_accessible 2017-08-15 18:49:46)

death, it didn't come off that way. I'm simply speaking within the realm I'm allowed. I'm under a non-disclosure agreement, so I can't give internal road maps to the public without the approval of public relations. I even had to get approval to make this thread.

Sean-Terry01, once the update is live, the football portion of the game itself is playable without having to memorize advanced menus. It's not a perfect experience, but it is possible to win games and is a big first step. I'm currently seeing what can be done about longshot story mode - we've identified a couple of brick walls that I can hopefully get fixed in some way. Menus are not accessible, but I plan to release tutorials to get around that for now.

- Karen Stevens

2017-08-15 18:39:35 (edited by ea_accessible 2017-08-15 18:49:55)

question: is there any preferred wording I should use for the guide? Example, is "Madden NFL Guide for the Blind and Visually Impaired" ok? I'm asking as the Deaf community is pretty particular, but I'm not familiar enough with blind culture to know if this wording was ok. I figured it would be best to ask.

- Karen Stevens

2017-08-15 21:42:14

That's good enough, in my opinion.

2017-08-15 21:47:51

Karen

As far as the menu title, that sounds fine to me. However, not sure if you saw other people mentioning it, but Microsoft released an API that allows the TTS engine on the Xbox1 to be used to read in-game menus. Even though it's been released, I don't believe any developer has used it yet. It would be pretty big if you guys were to be the first, especially from such a huge company like EA.

2017-08-15 21:57:57 (edited by ea_accessible 2017-08-15 21:59:47)

Yep, I know about the TTS API. Thank you for checking.


- Karen Stevens

2017-08-15 23:28:41

I am looking forward to this!
Now, a bit of jumping ahead and looking to the future time, Imagine if, after all this, EA moves onto something like Battlefront. Now that would be an utterly awesome experience to have accessible, but for now, let's focus on Madden.
First off, how will we know when the update hits, and where can we find a place that tells us about patch notes and what thigns will be added? For instance Killer INstinct has a blog that shows all the character balance changes and bugs they fix, I'd like to know this so I can check on what other updates get added to the game, after the accessibility update is in. This stuff has gotten me interested, so much so that once the accessibility update hits, I'll buy the game. I will not be buying the game before the update hits though.

2017-08-15 23:40:25

I'll post all updates on twitter, including links to any patch notes. I'll also post notice of them on this forum.  http://www.twitter.com/ea_accessible

- Karen Stevens

2017-08-16 07:26:05

Re post 28: Yes, that would be fine. That tells exactly what it is, and who it is for.

Best regards SLJ.
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2017-08-16 07:41:31

this is awesome to hear. Definitely looking forward to learning more about this.

2017-08-16 17:33:52

Hi all,

Am very exited to hear about this. it starts with madden 18 right now, but i don't want to look in the future, but i can't refuse the vision of me playing FIFA at a certain point.

goaaaaaaaal!
tongue

I am going to buy this when the update gets out definately.

And the name for the guide is ok in my oppinion smile

Really a big thank you from me, that ea is willing to take the lead in including access to their games to make them playable. it is a huge step in the right direction.

greetz mike

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2017-08-16 18:22:15

If I wasn't at work at my desk, I'm run around my house jumping for joy.  This is indeed, huge progress.  Hopefully down the line, audible menus will make it appearance.  But for now, this is huge!

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2017-08-16 19:28:04

Being a huge fan of EA games, yeah this is huge. Although, I'll be honest. For me, audible menus would be equally, if not more important than gameplay features. If you read on the first page another person mentioned that spending hours writing down menus and learning is not pleasant, and I really agree with this. However, don't quote me wrong. This is already a huge thing and hopefully this can expand to other EA games as well. I can't describe with words how great I feel about a company like EA doing this to make the game accessible for us. I'm hoping for the best.

2017-08-16 20:38:21

Guys, I just want to see that the feedback you are providing is wonderful. I have slammed Karren with many messages regarding madden NFL 17, and I'll probably be doing that with 18.  She has been pacients with me, because I'm sure I've driven her team crazy with all the stuff I've sent.  Thank you all for the encouragement, and when I get the game, I'll be happy to provide a link to a youtube demo whare I'll give a review,  and when the new accessibility features come out, a review of those to. Again, Let's get behind EA, and let's continue to get behind them.  When I read the changes coming up, I almost jumped out of my office chair with excitement.  I am so excited for next Wednesday, and can't wait to see what the future beyond the first update holds.
E A Sports, I'ts in the game!

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2017-08-16 20:58:47

Hi.
I have to admit that I was very sceptical about the whole idea and thought that it might just be a marketing prank pulled by EA, but when I read the posts and messages from EA Accessible, and the new features for the game, well, I am just happy now that a developer is actually willing to put features into a game enabling us to play their games.
I hope that madden 18 will not be the only accessible EA Game, i am already excited for the future.
Greetngs Moritz.

Hail the unholy church of Satan, go share it's greatness.

2017-08-16 21:28:44

I can assure you all, that this was not a marketing skeeme from EA.  As far as the accessibility goes for Madden NFL 17, I have done a youtube video on it.
The link is here, but please restart eh player to the beginning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSpCv8VruAE&t=586s

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2017-08-16 21:58:08

Addolis has been super helpful in identifying game play sticking points. Also, thank you all for all your feedback and e-mails. I don't know if I could have pushed these changes through without your support.

- Karen Stevens

2017-08-17 07:53:48

Karen

I would also suggest sharing what you're doing on /r/blind, a subreddit on Reddit for blind people.

reddit.com/r/blind

2017-08-17 14:00:20

ross wrote:

Karen

I would also suggest sharing what you're doing on /r/blind, a subreddit on Reddit for blind people.

reddit.com/r/blind

Funny you say this, I just shared this thread there.

2017-08-17 17:35:04

Orin, thanks for sharing. I probably don't have to do anything on reddit right now, then. I do have a reddit account, also called ea_accessible.

2017-08-17 20:32:09

Maybe it might be helpful to create a discussion thread on there for people who don't have an account here.
I only linked to this thread.

2017-08-17 21:09:25

Great idea, Orin. Here it is.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments … ouncement/

- Karen Stevens

2017-08-17 23:15:10

I managed to get more changes in, so longshot story mode should be able to be played through. You'll need tutorials to get past a few places, and I'll work to get them to you all before the patch hits. I also had a rumble added for when the quarterback releases the ball, so you'll know when you either initiated a pass on offense, or when to block an incoming pass. I should have tutorials up for all of this before the patch hits, which will be some time after launch. I'll post the patch release date when I have it.

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

- Karen Stevens

2017-08-18 10:39:16

Hi.
At EA accessible, well, sorry for the assumption of a marketing scheme pulled by EA, but it just seamed so out of the blue for me and very unlikely back in the day when we had almost no information what would be coming up. Not meaning this as an offense, but I am generally a sceptical persons when big companies and publishers like EA come around, I know, that might be the wrong way of seeing things, but I am happy that this is turning out to be a first big one in video gaming history.
I hope that other series and developers will follow, I'd love to play the 2K NBA or the EA NBA games one day too.
Greetings Moritz.

Hail the unholy church of Satan, go share it's greatness.

2017-08-18 17:08:42

Oh wow! IIf I wasn't excited before, I'm excited now!  Way to go Karren!

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2017-08-18 17:50:19

Ok seriously I can't wait to play this omg.

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