DECEMBER 2021 |
49
pushing
BOUNDARIES
Creative Application of Technology Powers a More Accessible Gaming Industry by Brandy Henderson and Innovate Niagara
echnology has a presence in just about everything we do. It has changed the way people live day to day and has influenced every industry sector; from transportation, to education, medicine, and entertainment to highlight a few.
For years the lack of diversity and accessibility in gaming has been a hot topic, but the movement towards closing the gap has been minimal. The gaming industry is arguably bigger than film, television, and music combined. Yet, the mainstream development of widely accessible gaming materials is insufficient. Falling Squirrel, an independent video game studio located in Niagara, developed a fully audio based game, leveraging 3D audio and haptic controller feedback. Titled
‘The Vale: Shadow of the Crown’, this authentic storydriven, action-adventure game experience was designed for visually impaired and sighted gamers alike. In speaking with Dave Evans, Founder and Creative Director of Falling Squirrel, it was important to recognize that the creative innovation would be just as important, if not more, than the technical innovation required to supply such an invigorating audio-based experience. “The best way to expose and maximize the benefits of technology is to focus on the creative side – to get outside of our traditional mindset that caters to the majority. Thinking about how a specific experience can be heightened without the combination of multiple senses pushes your thinking to be bold and inventive.” Said Dave. REVEAL NIAGARA BUSINESS MAGAZINE
technology
In the entertainment industry, the creative use of technology has acted as a catalyst to provide highly immersive and engaging gaming experiences. There are, however, several companies leveraging existing technology to unleash their creative potential and push standard gaming development boundaries.
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