Best Practices to Improve Low Vision Players Navigation Through a Level
David PRICE
Level Design
Best Practices to Improve Low Vision Players Navigation Through a Level
The primary objective of my Thesis was to investigate how environmental contrast impacts navigational efficiency and spatial awareness of visually impaired individuals within a digital 3D environment. I created a battery puzzle level in Half-Life 2 to test how contrast of texture, material, and shape influenced a player’ s ability to identify pathways and avoid obstacles. I chose this topic because I am legally blind and am affected by the ways in which studios attempt to provide accessibility.
Research and development spanned around 12 months. During that time, I conducted research and continuously iterated and edited the level. This project was immensely beneficial to me as it allowed me to master a variety of different level design techniques. Furthermore, this study offers direct utility to the video
game industry by providing a framework for high-contrast modes that go beyond simple UI overlays.
By integrating this research into the preproduction phase, developers can create more inclusive gaming experiences that allow visually impaired players to navigate complex levels with the same autonomy as sighted players. This research highlights that accessibility is not merely a postproduction checklist, but a fundamental aspect of level design.
58 LEVEL DESIGN