How Users Who are Blind or Low Vision Play Mobile Games: Perceptions, Challenges, and Strategies

TL;DR

This study explores the perceptions, challenges, and strategies of blind and low-vision users engaging with mobile games, highlighting accessibility barriers and advantages, and offering insights for improving mobile game design.

Contribution

It provides empirical insights into BLV users' mobile gaming experiences and compares accessibility features across different game platforms.

Findings

BLV players use mobile games for social connection and achievement.

Accessibility barriers vary depending on game design.

Smartphones offer inherent accessibility advantages.

Abstract

As blind and low-vision (BLV) players engage more deeply with games, accessibility features have become essential. While some research has explored tools and strategies to enhance game accessibility, the specific experiences of these players with mobile games remain underexamined. This study addresses this gap by investigating how BLV users experience mobile games with varying accessibility levels. Through interviews with 32 experienced BLV mobile players, we explore their perceptions, challenges, and strategies for engaging with mobile games. Our findings reveal that BLV players turn to mobile games to alleviate boredom, achieve a sense of accomplishment, and build social connections, but face barriers depending on the game's accessibility level. We also compare mobile games to other forms of gaming, highlighting the relative advantages of mobile games, such as the inherent accessibility of smartphones. This study contributes to understanding BLV mobile gaming experiences and provides insights for enhancing accessible mobile game design.