AbleGamers gets Serious about Games
AbleGamers is going to attend our second speaking opportunity at the Games for Health event in Boston. We are just about to announce a press release but we wanted to take a moment and explain what that means to you, our readers.
Games for Health deals heavily in Serious Games but what are they. By definition, Serious Games are any software or hardware applications that are developed for the purposes of video games but not necessarily intended for education.
There are many kinds of Serious Games such as Army simulations, product simulations, career simulations, financial simulations and many others. These types of games are used as tools for educational or training purposes. These simulations have specific rules and estimated situations, outcomes, and objectives that exactly mirror real life.
This is an extremely valuable speaking opportunity for Ablegamers because these people understand that video games are not just tools for amusement. These people understand our points of view, which state that video games have an importance beyond wasting time.
Games can help keep a wounded vet occupied while waiting for surgical repair or help facilitate rehabilitation. Games can be a window into the social world for those who cannot leave their own house. Games can make us feel "normal" by being able to do the same things that a non-disabled gamer can do in a virtual world.
In order to help illustrate our points, AbleGamers will be hosting an all-day accessibility arcade at the Boston event. The exact products are still being examined, as we can only bring the best of the best items due to space limitations. However, we will be including products from One Switch, Custom Hacks, SmartNAV, and possibly Broad Horizons.
Not all play
Unfortunately, Mark and Michelle are, by law, not allowed to go anywhere without working. They will be giving a speech on gaming accessibility. Explaining why it is so important for developers to understand that options for game accessibility are paramount. This is particularly exciting because often times when AbleGamers give speeches, we are trying to convince people that games are important. In this situation, games are already understood to be important; our only task is to underscore the importance of spending the necessary resources to add options that do not interfere but enhance the developer's vision.
The following is the actual press release we are about to send out.
Contact: Mark Barlet FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (202) 258 - 1937
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
DISABLED GAMERS LEFT OUT OF VIDEOGAMES
ABLEGAMERS SPEAKS AT ANNUAL GAMES FOR HEALTH CONFERENCE;
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IS POSSIBLE AND PROFFITABLE SAYS EXPERTS
The video gaming industry is a multibillion dollar a year moneymaking machine, yet some developers choose to leave millions of potential customers out of their games because they do not think about the disabled community. Some evidence states that addressing these issues could instantly grow the potential customer base for a given title by 5%. Experts say video games provide valuable opportunities for disabled gamers, including disabled vets, for social growth and happiness. According to the AbleGamers Foundation President Mark Barlet, himself a disabled veteran, there are simple and easy measures game companies can take to include millions of disabled individuals.
The AbleGamers Foundation, and AbleGamers.com will be speaking at the Games for Health Fifth Annual Conference in Boston, Mass, June 10-12, 2009. Mark Barlet and Dr. Michelle Hinn will be giving the lectures on:
- How to improve game accessibility easily and affordably
- The reasons for adding accessible options from business and Public Relations perspectives
- Underscoring the importance of allowing the disabled outlets for social stimulation
"We are excited to be invited back to such a great event," said Barlet. "Games for Health is one of the premier forums for Serious Gaming, and AbleGamers being invited back to give a few presentation gives us an opportunity to exchange knowledge with other experts in the field of game accessibility. I am also excited to share the new vision of the AbleGamers Foundation with like-minded individuals who are supportive to the disabled community"
About the AbleGamers Foundation
AbleGamers and AbleGamers.com were founded in 2004 as a community for disabled gamers with the goal of giving disabled individuals resources to get back into video games. AbleGamers advocates the needs of the disabled directly to game design companies to include accessibility options such as subtitles, colorblind options, and accessible controls. AbleGamers.com became the non-profit The AbleGamers Foundation in 2009.
About Games for Health
Games for Health, the leading professional community in the field of health games, unites the best minds in health care and game development to advance game technologies that improve people's health and the delivery of health care. Through their national and regional events, as well as extensive online resources, Games for Health brings together researchers, medical professionals and game developers to share best practices and forge new, game-based solutions to pressing health and health care challenges.
###
If you would like more information about this topic, additional material, or to schedule an interview with Mark Barlet, please call (202) 258 - 1937, or e-mail our public relations department at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
