Innovative technology has made it possible for visually impaired people to play video games that were previously inaccessible.
The combination of AI software and machine learning algorithms allows people with vision problems to pick up a controller and participate in first-person shooter games.
Call of Duty is one of the most popular games out there, and while it's been hugely popular for years, there haven't been many opportunities for VI gamers until now.
In fact, according to the nonprofit Ablegamers, there are an estimated 50 million aspiring players eager to join the FPS community.
The charity helped create the JBL Quantum Guide Play and started working on the new technology over a year ago.
JBL Quantum Guide Play brings inclusivity to the industry by adding audio cues to objects and locations in games.
This tool uses advanced head tracking and spatial audio techniques to simulate echolocation.
This increases the player's awareness of the game environment.
JBL Quantum Guide Play is compatible with any headset and costs nothing.
“I believe gaming has become a real possibility for me,” said visually impaired gamer and Paralympic athlete Sophie Soon after trying the technology.
Meanwhile, Josh Tseng, a digital accessibility specialist and visually impaired gamer, added, “It's really nice to be able to participate in multiplayer games like this.”
“We recognize the tremendous potential of games to bring people together and provide immersive experiences for players of all abilities,” said Grace Coe of JBL's parent company Harman.
“We are creating a platform that enriches the gaming experience for everyone and transcends limitations to build a more inclusive gaming community.
“This is just the first step towards accessibility for first-person shooters.
“We want to open source this and hope that brands and developers can adopt it in their games and even contribute to improving it.”
It is now ready for free download and feedback is being requested from gamers.
This comes in the wake of a study that suggests video game makers are not doing enough to accommodate gamers with disabilities.
The video games industry has grown explosively in recent decades, with the sector now worth around £7.05 billion.
However, research has shown that many people with disabilities feel excluded.
Specific issues include a lack of control options, hard-to-read text, fast-paced game play, and flashing lighting effects.
As a result, 39% were forced to stop playing the game or abandon it altogether.
The survey also found that 52% would like to see more characters representing their disability and claim they would play more games if that were the case.
