Killer Instinct
A fighting game with combo and meter systems.
Where Killer Instinct comes up1 episode or test
Killer Instinct added audio cues for its knockdown and shadow meters after blind player SightlessKombat asked, and included a menu option to set their volume. No numbers appear in the sources. The lesson: turn visual-only information into sound by listening to blind players, and give those sounds their own volume control so players can tune what they hear.
- Knockdown value was visual-only
- Shadow meters were visual-only
- Visual-only cues left gaps
- Sounds for knockdown value
- Sounds for shadow meters
- Menu option sets their volume
Blind gamers can even compete in tournaments
From Killer Instinct accessibility note, SightlessKombat's request
What was said about Killer Instinct
1Audio cues for blind players
Killer Instinct added audio cues after a blind player asked for them. After blind player SightlessKombat asked, the game added sounds for the knockdown value and shadow meters, which were visual-only. A menu option lets players change the volume of these sounds.
Fighting games are often accessible by default thanks to simple environments and strong sound, but visual-only cues leave gaps. The source notes that with such cues, "Now, blind gamers can even compete in tournaments."
A separate volume setting lets players mute music and hear key sounds. Killer Instinct has a menu option to change the volume of its new accessibility sounds. Players can dip or mute the music to focus on the sound effects that carry critical information.
This matters most when audio is standing in for visuals. The source's wording is "so players can dip or mute the music to better focus on critical sound effects."
Making Games Better for Gamers with Colourblindness & Low Vision | Designing for Disability
Added audio cues for the knockdown and shadow meters after blind player SightlessKombat asked, plus a menu option to change their volume.
Killer Instinct added audio cues after a blind player asked for them. After blind player SightlessKombat asked, the game added sounds for the knockdown value and shadow meters, which were visual-only. A menu option lets players change the volume of these sounds.
Fighting games are often accessible by default thanks to simple environments and strong sound, but visual-only cues leave gaps. The source notes that with such cues, "Now, blind gamers can even compete in tournaments."
A separate volume setting lets players mute music and hear key sounds. Killer Instinct has a menu option to change the volume of its new accessibility sounds. Players can dip or mute the music to focus on the sound effects that carry critical information.
This matters most when audio is standing in for visuals. The source's wording is "so players can dip or mute the music to better focus on critical sound effects."
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