Zen of Sudoku – Accessibility First Look

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Sudoku Solutions

Awhile back I had a very special request from a friend whose disability had progressed to a point where writing is no longer an option. This friend of mine also loves Sudoku. What did this mean to me then? Find a mouse only Sudoku game playable offline. So, when I saw Zen of Sudoku I picked it up!

 

Zen of Sudoku Accessibility

When I first booted up I ran into a problem. The game booted in fullscreen mode and immediately asked for my name. Without my on-screen keyboard accessible due to fullscreen mode being enabled, I was unable to enter my name. I needed someone to type in my name before I could move on.

Zen of Sudoku available player options menu featuring music/sound effect volume and window mode options.

Once my name was entered everything was okay. Options let me change to windowed mode which is borderless. This allows me to access my desktop easily. Aside from these options to the left, there’s no other accessibility options. No colorblind options or input configuration are available.

 

 

Zen of Gaming

Gameplay so far has been point and click. To choose what number you would like to enter into the puzzle you can click numbers in a grid & click the one you’d like. The boxes are kind of small in windowed mode, so some precision is needed. However, any mistake is fixable in Zen of Sudoku. When trying to use the keyboard to choose squares or enter numbers, I had no luck. So far it seems you need a point and click input, but we’ll keep our eye out for any changes.

 

Zen of Sudoku gameplay.

 

Sudoku Serenity

The game is a peaceful and relaxing. There’s no timer even on harder difficulties and you can stop at anytime. This is great if you’re feeling fatigued, or if you’re just needing a break. Audio consists of relaxing music and sound effects, but aren’t needed for gameplay. Short seen sitting in her custom World of Warcraft wheelchair as she discusses the Accessibility First Look of Zen of Sudoku.Zen of Sudoku has been fun so far, and will definitely satisfy any of your sudoku cravings. We’ll keep checking it out to see if gameplay changes or additional issues pop up, but the first look was easy to play as long as you can point and click. Don’t take my word for it, check out Zen of Sudoku and our other Accessibility First Looks!

 

 

 

 

The Deadmines – Warcraft Dungeon Mobility

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Deft Deadmines

The Deadmines is a World of Warcraft dungeon located in Westfall which is southwest of Stormwind City. You can queue with the Dungeon Finder tool starting at level 15. The Deadmines is a midsize instance, and it took my group about 15 minutes to complete it. There are a few things to watch for during the instance itself. Burnt plots on the ground (one at beginning and many on the dock) indicate an area where canons are being fired. Avoid standing on these otherwise they will launch you into the water. Do this by timing running across between cannon shots.

 

Boundless Bosses

Another general note regarding dungeon mobility is about Deadmines’ trash. Some trash will cause the drunk effect on players’ user interface which can sometimes be disabling. Although, this effect only lasts a few seconds. Bosses on the other hand are a different story. There are five bosses on normal Deadmines mode:

  • Glubtok – Glubtok is mobility friendly. The main ability to watch for is when he hits 50% health. He’ll cast Arcane Power shooting beams of ice & fire to his sides. Simply stay in front or behind him to avoid any ground effects. He does not move during this phase.
  • Helix Gearbreaker – Helix is a high mobility boss. Helix starts off riding a lumbering oaf. While this oaf is alive it will pick up players and charge across the room, dealing damage to those in his path. Once the oaf is dead, Helix will then jump on random party members. This means you will be running around or retargeting frequently to attack him. Also, during the encounter Goblins will be throwing bombs on the ground throughout the room. Move away from nearby bombs before they explode.
  • Foe Reaper 5000 – Foe Reaper is a medium mobility fight with two mechanics needing quick movement. Overdrive is a spinning Area-of-Effect (AoE) which you need to run away from. Harvest is its second ability. The Foe Reaper 5000 targets the location of a random player and then moves there. Once the Foe Reaper 5000 reaches the location, it performs a Harvest Sweep attack dealing heavy damage. Avoid being on this target or in Foe Reapers path to it.
  • Admiral Ripsnarl – Admiral Ripsnarl is a medium mobility fight. At 75%, 50%, and 25% health the Admiral disappears and the deck is covered in thick fog. During this phase addition enemies come which deal more damage as they grow, so they must be killed quickly. Retargetting multiple adds plus Ripsnarl can be tedious.
  • “Captain” Cookie – Cookie is a low mobility fight. Cookie doesn’t move or even need to be tanked. Avoid running over rotten food which is surrounded by a green swirling effect, while picking up good food which is surrounded by a yellow swirling effect.

 

Devastating the Deadmines

The Deadmines has a few higher mobility demanding bosses, but most mechanics can be handled if you move early and often. The dungeon isn’t overly long, and has no jumps, although the ship does have multiple ramps that turn back and forth. If you’re hand or arms are easily fatigued by stairs in-game be prepared. They are contained to one specific area, so the entire instance isn’t awful. Overall, The Deadmines isn’t too bad but don’t take my word for it…  Check it out! If you’re searching for more Warcraft Dungeon Mobility guides you’re in the right place!

 

Papers, Please – Accessibility First Look

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Papers, PLEASE

I have been wanting to check out this game forever. What’s more exciting than working the border and telling people who aren’t allowed in to bugger off? That’s pretty much the basis of Papers, Please. You check passports and paperwork to allow people into Arstotzka. You need to earn enough money to support your family, but all that info does no good if we can’t play it.  So, how’s its accessibility?

 

Windowed Mode, Please

I can’t explain how excited I was to see this. Papers, Please launch screen where you can launch it in windowed mode.That’s right, you can get windowed mode before you even open the game! Thank you, developers! Windowed mode is borderless, so you can access your desktop with ease. My Windows‘ on-screen keyboard was a click away, but honestly wasn’t needed in this Accessibility First Look. So far, the game is pretty point and click. I haven’t found a way to control gameplay with the keyboard alone, but I will keep trying, and will definitely report back if a solution is found. Colorblind mode is also nowhere to be found.

 

Pleasant Papers

So far Papers, Please has been a joy for mouse-only players. The first level took nothing more than point and click, or drag and drop mechanics. The speed at which you complete each level does determine income, but during early levels I haven’t felt the need to rush thus causing user fatigue. Things may change at later levels, but don’t take my word for it…  Check out Papers, Please and our other Accessibility First Looks!

 

Disabled Guild Wars 2 NPC Inspires Disabled Gamers

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Taimi seen in her usualness in Guild Wars 2 as a disabled Non-Player Character.

 

Guild Wars 2 NPC Inspiration

Disabled Non-Player Characters (NPCs) are hard to find, but in Guild Wars 2 you can find one that people are feeling a connection with. Meet Taimi, a 13 year old girl NPC you can find hanging out near Vigil Keep. Taimi is someone many of us can connect with in the disabled community because she has a degenerative disease. She can’t walk long distances, but she doesn’t let that stop her. With the help of a golem named “Scruffy”  Taimi can go where she pleases. How can she do this? By riding upon Scruffy of course!

 

Taimi: a Symbol of Hope

There’s no cure for her disease and it may progress more as she grows up. None of that holds her back though! Taimi even brings hope to those around her. Recently on Guild Wars forums, a gamer thanked developers for Taimi’s creation:

“I want to thank you for Taimi. I live with multiple sclerosis, and while I was only diagnosed a handful of years ago and am looking forward to a future where I won’t be trapped in my own body, I value characters like Taimi more than you can know.”

 

While Taimi may only be an average NPC to some passing by, but to others she represents so much more. Developers were honored to receive such a post from someone in the community:

“On behalf of the writers, artists, game designers, and everyone else who contributed to Taimi’s character development, you are very welcome.

Speaking as a writer, one always hopes one’s characters will matter to the audience as much as you describe Taimi mattering to you. I am honored for my part in inspiring such a reaction and I am moved by your eloquent description of the positive impacts Taimi’s character has had on your outlook.”

 

Connecting with an NPC

Being able to connect to characters in an online world helps gamers become more immersed in that world. It also brings a relation of things from the game to their every day life. Developers for Guild Wars 2 have made that connection a possibility with the creation of Taimi:

“So thank you for thinking of people like me. Thank you for thinking about how someone with a disability might get along in your world. And thank you for making her awesome.”

 

Character’s like Taimi really are important to the video game world. From gamers to developers, they add something special for everyone. But don’t take my word for it, read all about Taimi’s creation and story at the following links below. If you’d like to read more disability headlines then find more on our News column!

 

Guild Wars 2 disabled NPC inspires player with multiple sclerosis

Taimi

 

Wailing Caverns – Warcraft Dungeon Mobility

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Wailing Caverns Capability

Wailing Caverns is a World of Warcraft dungeon located in the Northern Barrens of Azeroth. You can queue for this dungeon with the dungeon finder starting at level 15. This dungeon is a longer instance spanning about 25 minutes in total. A run time average like this was calculated by simulating an average pug run. However, speed runs would obviously be quicker, so if you’re disability causes you to be quickly fatigued, you can avoid this one.

 

Cavernous Mechanics

Bosses in Wailing Caverns have few mechanics requiring movement. Although, it also has a jump. The jump has gotten far better since the Cataclysm renovation and there is at least one point where momentum from just default running allows you to clear it. Mouse-only gamers have your move pad ready just incase! Another concern is for the ranged and healers. You all will encounter frequent areas where you lose “Line of Sight” from your tank or enemy mobs. Staying with your party is critical.

 

Conclusion in the Caverns

Wailing Caverns is yet one of the many thrilling World of Warcraft dungeons, but brings with it some additional challenges for disabled adventurers. Just remember to watch out for cliffs, corners, and chumps. If you’re looking to run other dungeons then check out our other Warcraft Dungeon Guides! And we’ll see you next time here at Ability Powered!