Hi eleanor.
It is precisely because! of copywrite laws that I made the analogy I did.
While copywrite as a concept is reasonable, in terms of disability access it
has often been used as grounds for denial, ---- usually for purpose of short
sitedness or greed, to actually stop disabled access to things.
I myself can attest to the way that in the Uk, ---- where there is no
governmental or legal provision to access to books and literature as in the
Us, it's denied me reading material all my life.
There are also cases where certai film studios reffuse audio destcriptions
made of their films on the same grounds.
I absolutely agree with you about working with companies. The only way to
resolve this in a manner which serves everyone best would indeed be to work
with companies in producing accessible versions of their games under the
auspis of their own copywrite.
Ideally, Lucas arts should give tom the go ahead to create accessible
starwars, or make alterations to existing games to make them accessible.
They would then be "lucas arts licensed accessible starwars games produced
by Thomas ward"
My cake analogy was intended to illustrate the ethics of the situation, and
that making such requests of companies is in no way unreasonable.
However, the problem is, while it's very easy to work with independent
developers to produce access changes in their games, ---- even going as far
as access friendly versions like the blind compatibility mode in smugglers
4, even getting into this sort of conversation with the major game
coorperations is near impossible.
The other day, I requested an access change to the online game core exiles.
i was able to explain the need for it to the developer, she was able to note
that other vi players were using the game and would find such a change of
distinct bennifit, ---- and so it got added this afternoon.
However, it's near impossible even to speak to those in developement in
companies like lucas arts, nintendo, capcom etc, ---- both tom ward and I
have tried on several occasions and been completely stone walled.
Even if, ---- rather than requesting that they actually change their own
games (which is afterall a far more difficult proposition), they give
official license and sanction to the developement of an accessible version,
their response is a flat out no.
They have no interest in creating accessible games, or helping others to do
so, ---- frankly, as far as I'm concerned they've shown themsleves to be a
bunch of greedy, short sited, capitalist gits only concerned with their own
prophit and nothing else.
There is really litle that can be done with such people, which is why as I
said, i think the future of accessible games will be with completely
independent companies like 7-128 who are actually willing to discuss the
subject and come to some level of compromise.
Having exhausted all the legal channels though, I really don't see that tom
has any alternative here, nor would any developer wishing to create an
accessible version of a mainstream game if the company refuses even to
listen.
Beware the Grue!
Dark.
---
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