Welcome to the audiogames.net monthly digest - leap year edition! You'd think that, with February being the shortest month - even if this year it's a day longer than usual - things would be quieter. Instead, we have an absolutely massive digest for you, featuring a game jam, a couple of long-awaited releases, a new accessibility mod for a very popular game, and a number major updates to both audio and mainstream games. Lastly, in the news section, we have the closing of a chapter in blind gaming for a well known company, as well as the beginning of a new exciting chapter for another project. This month's digest features planes, trains and automobiles, and much, much more! We hope you enjoy reading, and if you do, don't forget to tell your friends to subscribe!
New Releases
Games for Blind Gamers 3 Gamejam
Welcome to the third annual Games for Blind Gamers jam! The goal of this jam is to build awareness of blind gaming (and accessibility in general), as well as making games for blind players. We welcome developers of all types (beginners and veterans, sighted and blind, etc.) and encourage you to learn about blind gamers and accessibility to create interesting and creative games!
What: A month-long chilled jam where you create a game that blind players can play, too.
When: From February 1st to 28th, 2024 (inclusive)
Why: Blind gamers have their own set of challenges when gaming. We hope to build awareness and create interesting, creative games that they can enjoy too!
How: It's a chilled jam, so the community will vote on the winners! Anyone with an account on Itch can vote (public).
As of writing, the following entries have been submitted, but check the submissions page above for the most up to date list. When you play these games, be sure to leave their developers a rating and feedback!
Real Sound: Echoing Sky by Wandering Artist - A visual novel without visuals
Jungle Beats - A Raindrum Audiogame by KaizarNike - Heal the tribe in this ritual game.
Maze Recorder Training Program by G. Carbonell - A random maze to be explored blindly
Darkness by Romløk - Escape a pitch-black cave using only sound cues
Memories of Kibbles by eloisemakesgames and shawnjstephen - A cat explores the abandoned house she used to call home, with her new kitten following close behind.
Minimum Safe Distance by Projector Studios - Shoot down incoming intruders via sound cues.
E-I-E-I-O by cpresser - Find the animals by following their calls.
Voice Chess 2.0 by dehe25 - Chess with accessibility in mind
Where is She? By Cup Dev
The journey to Kepler-186f by Callum Deery - A game about managing cryosleep
Fish in the Dark by LaClobiche - Night has fallen and you're sitting in front of a mysterious pond...
The Museum by CG8516 (Clark) - Rob 'em blind!
Executioner's Rage (Windows)
Immerse yourself in a groundbreaking action-packed First Person Shooter (FPS) game, designed with a cutting-edge 3D audio environment using Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) technology. Experience the thrill of combat in an auditory landscape where every sound matters. Armed with an extensive arsenal ranging from classic swords to high-powered machine guns, shotguns, pistols, and an array of advanced firearms, you'll navigate through intense battles. This multiplayer online game invites players to engage in riveting shootouts, relying on their sharp hearing and strategic skills to outmaneuver opponents. Get ready for a unique gaming experience where sound is your ultimate weapon!
Lethal Access Pre-Release for Lethal Company (Windows)
Hello everyone, it's me again, GreenBean! I'm sure you've been hearing quite a bit about my Lethal Company Accessibility mod! Now, while it is definitely not perfect, and still needs a LOT more work, I have decided to release it a bit early. The general game loop should be fully accessible for you to play, obviously not in the most ideal way, but I want you to be able to get your hands on this. I also would absolutely appreciate some feedback if you do end up trying the mod, and if you do have some to share, I have a #feedback channel on my Discord!
Once again, this mod is a pre-release, and is nowhere near how I want it to end up. The pathfinder is currently here to allow you to interact with and navigate the world while I work on a more robust system for manual navigation. All features of the mod will most likely change down the line. I will also note that this is my first ever proper mod, and my first time working with C#. I have only been working on this since about January 1st. Your feedback is GREATLY appreciated!
And here's the description of Lethal Company itself from Steam:
You are a contracted worker for the Company. Your job is to collect scrap from abandoned, industrialized moons to meet the Company's profit quota. You can use the cash you earn to travel to new moons with higher risks and rewards--or you can buy fancy suits and decorations for your ship. Experience nature, scanning any creature you find to add them to your bestiary. Explore the wondrous outdoors and rummage through their derelict, steel and concrete underbellies. Just never miss the quota.
These dangers prey upon the vulnerable and lonesome, and the protection of your crew may be your only hope. You can guide your crewmates from your ship, using the radar to call out traps and using the ship's terminal to access remotely locked doors--or you can all go in together. The Company store has many useful tools for the job, including lights, shovels, walkie talkies, stun grenades, or boomboxes.
Things get dangerous at night. Communicate with your crewmates to carry all valuables to the ship before things get too dangerous, and try not to leave anyone behind.
Transport World Simulator (Windows)
Transport World Simulator is a free simulator for many different rail vehicles for the blind.
It does not matter if you are looking to drive a tram, underground or long-distance train. Everything is included.
The game has the following features:
Many different trains with realistic sounds and physics
Many different routes with realistic signals, stations and speed limits.
Realistic schedules and announcements
Realistic train protection systems
Dynamic weather functions
A scoring system
A Braille status monitor Support for JAWS, SAPI 5 and NVDA
Adventure to Fate Lost Island (iOS)
A Turn-Based RPG Game that is Accessible to the blind and visually impaired. Fully playable by all and indie-created. Help support Indie and Accessible Game Development!
Adventure To Fate – Lost Island is an accessible turn-based RPG dungeon crawler.
-Tons of character creation possibilities (12 Classes, 10 Races, 20+ Pets, 6 Professions).
-600+ items to loot, craft, buy and find.
-300+ unique monsters to fight.
-Fully accessible to the blind and vision impaired using Voice Over!
The Lost Island
Can you solve the mystery of the Lost Island, save the trapped souls, and escape with your life?
Customize Your Hero -
-12 Classes – Elementalist, Warrior, Rogue, Hunter, Priestess, Druid, Savage, Illusionist, Guardian, Witch, Paladin, Elemental Archer.
-10 Races – Human, Elf, Orc, Halfling, Troll, Gnome, Undead, Vampire, Moon Elf, Draco.
-20+ Pets to accompany you in battle.
-26 levels to master your skills!Crafting System -
-6 Professions – Weaponsmith, Armorsmith, Leatherworker, Tailor, Jeweler, Alchemist.
-300+ items to craft.
-30+ materials to work with.Weapon Forge -
-Ever wanted to create your own custom weapon? Now, you can!
-Create fully-custom weapons of any type, with any name, picture, and stats!
-Share these weapons and items with all other characters on your account using the Account Vault!Explore The Lost Island -
-4 Themed Zones with thousands of rooms (Cove, Jungle, Volcano, Crypt).
-Each area has unique enemies, spells, shops, treasures, items, and much more!In-Depth Stat & Skill System -
-New skill tree system for maximum character control and replayability featuring 300+ Spells/Skills.
-Attack, defend, and control the battlefield by using skills and spells that are physical, magical, AOE, healing, summoning, buffing, and much more!Endless Loot & Treasures -
-500+ unique items + the ability to create your own one-of-a-kind items.
-12 equipment slots to fully customize your characters (Weapon, Shield, Helmet, Chest, Gloves, Legs, Boots, Belt, Bracelet, Necklace, 2x Rings).
-Randomized drops on all monsters.
-Item rarity color system (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary)Other Features -
-Game Center Leaderboard
-40+ Game Center Achievements.
-Fully accessible for the vision impaired using Voice Over.
-An indie-created game built for the people!
-100s of hours of gameplay between all classes.
-Autosave feature – easy to pick up and play at any time.
-Unlimited character slots so you can try every combination possible.
-Retro pixel art.
-8-bit sound effects and music.
-A library system that explains the game, characters, skills, and combat systems.
Thanks for taking a look and supporting accessible gaming!
Longevity World (Windows)
This game is adapted from Chen Dong's work of the same name "The World of Longevity". It is made by a developer (Li Jiabaiding) using development tools made by (tip of the iceberg).
This is a turn-based role-playing game adapted from the Chinese online fairy tale cultivation novel "Longevity World".
Including the complete plot of the novel, as well as characters, mission system, realm of cultivation, equipment, skills, items, partners, servants, mounts, magic weapons, special medals, dungeon system, map scene level design, NPCs and monsters, battle process, etc. .
In addition, there are fishing gameplay, hunting gameplay, Chinese chess, maze parkour, equipment manufacturing, equipment refining and strengthening, equipment gem synthesis, opening up barren mountain caves for cultivation, alchemy system, cultivating pets and slaves, building houses, and using jade dew to roll dice.
Among them, F9 has detailed gameplay guides and hotkey help. There are hotkey help and instructions from the beginning of the plot to before entering the map scene.
Finally, I recommend everyone to read the novel "Longevity World", written by Chinese online literature writer Chen Dong. Thank you for your support.
Galactic Strike (Windows)
Galactic Strike is a fast and frantic arcade space shooter based on 1979's Galaxian but with some differences.
Please note: running this game creates a folder named 'Galactic Strike' in your documents folder, It contains a file used to store game settings.
Use the left and right arrow keys to move your spaceship left and right respectively.
Use the Left CTRL, Space Bar, Return key or Left Shift key to fire your weapon.
The game has many game settings to adjust gameplay to make the game harder or easier; use up and down arrow keys to navigate the settings, use left and right to adjust a setting.
The game has been designed with blind gamers in mind; sound is panned to help detect directions enemies are attacking, as well as where the player's spaceship is. There are impact warning scanners that alert the player if an enemy ship or projectile is close.
The blindfold mode is to allow blind gamers to play with a friend on equal terms, using sound only.
The sound volume settings has options to adjust the volume for most of the sounds in the game; use up and down arrows to navigate the settings, left and right arrows to adjust a setting. Press a fire button to hear the volume of the current setting highlighted.
Press F2 to quit a settings menu without saving.
Press P to pause the game, any other key to continue.
Press ESC to quit the game to the title screen, pressing ESC from the title screen allows you to quit the game, or use the quit option.
Penta path, by Aprone (Windows)
Penta path is an english word game (sorry no translations) where you work your way from a starting word, to an ending word following 2 specific rules. Each time you type a new word, you may only do one of the following: You may rearrange the current word into a new word that uses all the same letters, Or, you can switch a single letter of the word. The new word you create must be a valid word recognized by the Penta path game. While Penta path contains over 21,000 words, every now and then you may wish to enter a valid english word, but will not be permitted to. When that happens, just know the puzzle is solvable without the word you were attempting to use. Every word in Penta path is 5 letters in length.
The concept sounds easy on the surface, but is harder than you may expect!
Controls:
Typing works as expected
Space tells you the current word you are on, which is the last valid word you typed.
Shift + Space tells you the word you are trying to reach.
Backspace takes away the last letter you typed, like how backspace tends to work everywhere.
Arrows will review each of the valid words you have typed so far.
Shift + Escape escapes your current challenge and returns you to the main menu.
Early game: Magical DoReMi (My begining in development) (Windows)
This is an unfinished project from several years ago when I was just starting to learn programming, and it is no longer possible to continue developing and maintaining it. Currently, there are a total of 7 levels in the game.
To play this game, you need to use translation software, but there are some typos in the original text. If you really can't understand, you can ask for help in the comments below.
Considering that the second level is too difficult, if you find it impossible to unlock the other four levels by achieving a total score of 60 in the first three levels, you can directly execute "unlock level2.reg" to access the other four levels.
Most of the operations involve using the arrow keys to navigate through menus or the game itself, with the Z key for action. Occasionally, the X or S keys are used, but they will be explained in advance. Lastly, the Tab key can be used to pause the game.
Sharing this, I simply hope to bring some moments of joy to everyone, and to take a look back at the more creative and imaginative self from the past, compared to the present. As one learns more and there are too many ways to implement the same gameplay, it becomes difficult to develop new games.
Happy good playing!
Proof of combat (Web)
Hey everyone!
Recently Bladestorm360 worked with the developer of this game to improve the accessibility for the map and a few other screens.
The game is a diablo style text rpg, with random loot, quests. there seems to be lots of content for you to explore and lots of enemies for you to beat!
Azmar Quest (Android, iOS in Beta)
Azmar Quest is an Old School, Story Driven, and Turn Based RPG adventure. It's set in a fantasy world called Azmar, where the danger is around the corner.
You can play it offline (single player story) or online (PvP and Co-op)
Main Features:
● Single Player adventure (playable offline too)
● PvP battles (1v1 and 2v2) and Co-op Dungeons (online)
Gameplay:
● Choose 1 of the 4 hero classes available: Warrior, Cleric, Warlock or Archer
● 24 unique skills per class, 4 armor slots and 4 potion slots to create your build and enhance your Hero
● Follow the story of Azmar in a text based adventure, make your own choices through the story, fight 100+ unique enemies in turn based battles, and reach level 30!
Does the game have anything else to offer? Of course it does!
● Face new Single Player challenges and quests every day, or fight in the 2v2 Arena with an AI companion, and reach Mastery 100!
● Play online in Dungeons and 2v2 battles, or play 1v1 rated battles, and reach rank 1000 in PvP!
Notes:
● Azmar Quest is designed to be accessible and playable for blind users through the use of talkback or voice-over technology. Enjoy the text based adventure without barriers!
● Azmar Quest has no content locked behind microtransactions and no pay-to-win mechanics, it just has a few ads (that you can watch or not) and optional in-app purchases.
● The game is only in ENGLISH. It's very unlikely that I will have time to translate it, but you never know.
● This is a one-person project. I'm constantly developing and improving it. It just takes a lot of time, have patience
Fault Zone: Text RPG Survival for Android.
Fault Zone:
Text quest, survival game in the Mysterious Dome with paranormal areas.
A text game - an adventure where you have to fight for your survival in the environment of anomalous zones. Fate sends you to the mysterious Dome, where you will have to explore all its secrets. Can you survive?
As you walk kilometer after kilometer, random events and unknown creatures will be waiting for you everywhere. There is no longer a safe place in the area, forget about safety. Sleep and food are your new friends on this adventure.
Be prepared to make difficult decisions, bargain for the necessary equipment and move forward. But most importantly, do not forget that you are not alone in this adventure and every decision you make has consequences. Perhaps you want to make friends among local wanderers, or scientists - everything is in your hands.
The game features turn-based battles, various locations, random events, unique creatures and items. In addition, you will encounter unknown anomalous phenomena that pose both a danger and an opportunity to make money containing unknown Shards endowed with unusual properties. The main thing is not to forget about the nuts; it’s better not to get into things without them.
The game also has a rating system and its own adventure editor, create mods and share them with other players.
If you are interested in games of the post-apocalyptic genre with elements of a survival simulator in a role-playing style, or text clickers/bagels with the ability to develop your hero, and you also like the universes of games such as Long Dark, Stalker, Metro 2033 and Fallout, then you should try this game .
We were once inspired by the book Roadside Picnic and the various universes based on it. You might like what we came up with. We have a small team of developers, but we value every player and always welcome new faces in our projects
The gameplay and user interface of the game are adapted for the blind, visually impaired and hearing impaired players.
Additional Information:
The game is currently under active development. If you find any bugs, errors or you have ideas for improving the game or a desire to join the development team - please contact us by email [email protected] or join our communities on VK (https://vk .com/nt_team_games) or Telegram (https://t.me/nt_team_games).
You have to go through a role-playing text quest, where your main goal is to survive in a closed area. You will encounter not only mysterious anomalous phenomena and creatures, but also other dangers that threaten in these unreliable lands.
Every decision you make will have consequences and affect the development of the plot. You will be able to choose between different options for action, and only your skill and ability to make the right decisions will help you survive.
Go a long distance and achieve your goal - discover all the secrets that lurk under the Dome. Remember that you have to go through this adventure together with other heroes, and this is only the beginning of your journey.
Spatterlight: A free, fully accessible text game interpreter for Mac.
Spatterlight is a free, Universal application that plays many classic parser-based interactive fiction games. No games are included.
Supported formats: AGT, Adrift (except version 5), AdvSys, Alan, Glulx, Hugo, JACL, Level 9, Magnetic Scrolls, Scott Adams, TADS (text only), and Z-code (except version 6).
• VoiceOver support
• Themes
• Per-game settings
• Easy download of game info from Ifdb.org
• Supports sound, images and text colours
• Automatic save and restore for Glulxe and Z-code games
Game updates
Hearthstone is prepping for its next major expansion - Whizbang's Workshop, as well as various events celebrating the game's tenth anniversary which is coming up in March. Said events were introduced in Patch 28.6 which also kicks off a new twist season, brings back quests in battlegrounds and much more. Separately from the game itself, the hearthstone access mod received a few updates which apart from keeping up with the game introduced major performance improvements.
Forza Motorsport Update 5.0 was a mix of new content (focusing on Germany with the Nordschleife track and a new career series all about German manufacturers) as well as bug fixes, including a couple to do with blind driving assists and narration.
Mortal Kombat 1 February update introduced the next Kombat Pack character - Peacemaker, a new cameo - Janet Cage, cross play support between platforms, as well as lots of balance changes and bug fixes both for invasions and the regular game. There have also been a few notable accessibility upgrades, including a new Cameo form audio queue, as well as screen reader improvements. Its voice can now be changed, the PC version has replaced the disliked voice in favor of the Microsoft ones built-into Windows, and the game finally uses the voice in the language of the console/computer making it much easier to play for international players.
Sanctuary in Time 0.4.4 is a big update which features a complete overhaul of the undressing system used in the game, improved inspections, more control over when dating takes place, more individual sex responses, as well as more balance changes and bug fixes (including to the accessibility of the game)
Brok the InvestiGator is now available on mobile devices with both an iOS and Android versions being released. The game can be played both using the touch screen or with a controller, and just like the other versions is fully accessible for blind players.
Warsim 1.1.3 is another big update which, in words of the developer adds a new god tier upgrade to the Arena, a new public opinion loss system from battle, new necromancy events, a few new encounters and bug fixes, and finally 4 new challenge modes!!
Dawncaster has received numerous updates throughout February, all of wich refined the previously introduced accessibility features
Advanced Wars received many updates in February, which brought the game up to version 1.0.7. The updates introduced an auto updater, a new chapter in the campaign, a Chinese translation and many bug fixes.
Erion MUD has introduced new underwater and demon-themed areas complete with hardcore boss achievements, expanded the starter zone with a new mission, added achievements for killing captives, instead of freeing them implemented a stable swap command, introduced a new Webling race, updated the faith system with a new skill and leaderboard, added a new Warrior skill, allowed Heroes to bind lower-level runes on items, and updated the website with an activity page displaying world and player stats.
Wave of the Undead 3.7 made landmines blow up forest tiles allowing you to see better, improved controller support and made other small bug fixes.
Textspaced 1.4 "brings the first AI powered feature (interactive charting), a change to how fuel works, the introduction of flight time units (FTUs) as a way to upgrade ships, new story chapters and a layout overhaul to name a few highlights." There's also a massive number of bug fixes which you can read from the link above.
February updates to Alter Aeon raised the level cap of all classes to 40, and with this come new high level skills for each. In addition there were changes to a few hand to hand combat skills and a few new areas being opened.
The Factorio Access mod, which we've done a terrible job keeping up with up to this point (Sorry!), is has been making excellent progress adding a tutorial in January also had many updates in February introducing blueprint support, making the mod launcher localizable, and many other bug fixes.
Similarly, the CrossedEyes mod adding accessibility to CrossCode has also received a few February updates which add the announcing of tutorial hints, a skip puzzle option, more audio queues for a few moving platform puzzles and more.
Other News
After almost 29 years on the market, PCS games has announced they are shutting down on March first, citing the market shifting more toward mobile gaming making it less financially viable to develop Windows games as well as difficulties in continuing development on Sarah and the Castle of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The installers of all their games are still available on agarchive.net, including full versions of the previously commercial DOS games, while Pacman Talks is still being sold by GMA Games. The status of Sarah is currently unclear - according to this message by Phil Vlasak on the blind gamers mailing list, Draconis is not interested in selling it anymore, it was suggested GMA games might continue to do so but a response was not received at the time of writing.
The Talking Flight monitor program used to make Microsoft Flight Simulator and Prepar3D more accessible has announced the program is switching away from an open-source license to a commercial subscription model to help fund future development of the project which should allow for much more frequent updates. Before the new commercial version is released you can still download the current version along with its source code. More details behind this change, including the reasoning behind it, pricing and a future roadmap can be found in a number of articles on the Talking Flight Monitor Blog.
Authors
This edition of the digest has been written by:
Piotr Machacz ([email protected] on Mastodon)
