Board Games Beyond Sight : Inclusive Board Game Design with Focus on Visual Impairment

Abstract: This report presents a master's degree project in Industrial Design Engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in collaboration with ION Game Design. The purpose was to enhance the social inclusion of visually impaired individuals through board games by supporting and inspiring board game designers to bridge the gap between the visually impaired and sighted players by means of creating a more inclusive gaming experience for everyone. First, research was conducted in the form of desktop research, observations, and interviews. Then a design guidebook was developed, presenting design principles that should be considered when creating board games with the aim to increase their accessibility and playability for visually impaired individuals. Finally, by applying the principles outlined in the design guidebook, one of ION Game Design's existing board games was adapted focusing on a set of modifications that could be made to make it playable and more accessible and inclusive for visually impaired players, as well as for the sighted, while ensuring equitable gameplay and equal opportunities to win. The conclusion of the project is that by considering certain principles, inclusive board games can be made that provide a more accessible and inclusive gaming environment that accommodates the needs of all players, regardless of visual ability.