A framework for tailorable games: toward inclusive end-user development of inclusive games

Abstract

One strategy toward universalizing play is enabling more people to develop their own games. In this paper, our efforts toward a framework for inclusive creation of inclusive games are discussed. The hypothesis is that if end-users used creation tools suitable to their interaction needs and followed a collaborative work model to iteratively improve accessibility features to be inserted into a software architecture able to modify human-computer interaction at use-time, then they would be able to create games satisfying heterogeneous interaction needs of possible players. To verify the hypothesis, the architecture, the collaborative work model, and a game creation platform (Lepi) were designed to support game creation and play activities. Abilities were focused to provide opportunities for contributions based on skills, interests, and knowledge of people. The framework was evaluated over ten meetings spanning four months by people with alcohol and drug addiction from a public healthcare service. With the framework, participants were able to create their own games despite their different interaction needs (including low literacy, no previous contact with computers, emotional disabilities). By following the collaborative work model, they enabled people with different interaction needs than their own to play their games. Hence, with the framework, opportunities were provided to enable people with different interaction needs to contribute, create, and play. Game creation became a jigsaw puzzle, on which each piece (contribution) allowed people to create and play according to their abilities and skills.