Blind Man Finishes Videogames Despite Lack of Sight

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Tom Goldman

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Aug 17, 2009
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Blind Man Finishes Videogames Despite Lack of Sight


A blind man is able to complete games such as Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus using only what he hears.

Terry Garrett is surprisingly good at playing videogames, considering that he's blind. The Oddworld website recently highlighted the 23-year-old's ability to beat platformer Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus [http://www.amazon.com/Oddworld-Abes-Exoddus-Game-Download/dp/B002VWLKPE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1298399766&sr=1-2] flawlessly without the use of his eyes.

Garrett completely lost his vision when he was 10. At the time, his brother tried to get him into videogames, but it didn't work out. However, when the two later tried Abe's Exoddus for the PlayStation, Garrett began to give gaming more of a concerted effort.

Today, Garrett can play Exoddus from beginning to end without any help. It took him about a month to perfect his methods. He says that he can see the levels in his mind simply by listening to the sounds he hears, like footsteps, flowing water, and the beeps of bombs. Exoddus is particularly suited to Garrett's play style due to the widespread use of sound throughout each element of the game. He adds that even the music can be a cue toward something dangerous about to happen.

Garrett does need some assistance when playing certain games, to explain cutscenes or dialogue text, but with a little help he's also able to play other titles such as Metal Gear Solid [http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Zelda-Skyward-Sword-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B002BSC54I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298399731&sr=8-1] to an extent. Not every game has the level of sound design he needs, but some like Exoddus do.

It's very uplifting that Garrett is able to enjoy a gaming habit just like anyone else. Hopefully his incredibly positive attitude will rub off on the rest of the internet.

Source: Oddworld [http://www.oddworld.com/?p=394]

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James Raynor

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Sep 3, 2008
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That... very interesting... Though now I wonder how far off we are from making a device that can allow blind people to see.
 

Rad Party God

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Feb 23, 2010
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This reminds me of an old story about a blind mexican kid that can beat Punchout using only it's sound cues.
 

Wolfram23

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Mar 23, 2004
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I've seen some really amazing stuff that you wouldn't expect a blind person to do. There's this one kid that makes clicking sounds and can actually do echo location with that. I saw a little mini documentary on him and he also plays video games although I don't remember which games anymore.
 

ComicsAreWeird

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Oct 14, 2010
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Awesome. I hope game designers can add more audio cues so that more people can enjoy videogames, regardless of their physical limitations.
 

esperandote

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Feb 25, 2009
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If you knew whether your opponent is to your left or to your right you can also play fighting games.
 

Celtic_Kerr

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May 21, 2010
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manythings said:
I wonder how he'd do with God of War...
Quick time events. He may need someone with a quick reaction to help him with those. I know SOME games have random button queues, but I know GoW doesn't. It would be interesting.

OT: That's actually pretty amazing. I'm glad he can enjoy video games despite lack of site. Awesome story
 

Caliostro

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Jan 23, 2008
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Holy ************...


...Seriously, I hope he either has one of those adapters that "reads" the screen, or someone reads this for him: You sir, are a champion amongst men.

That is some real dedication, not to mention skill. I'm seriously impressed, not to mention inspired, at how someone can overcome what you'd think would be the most grievous "handicap" for playing a game.

One of those awe inspiring living examples that there is no such a thing as "impossible". You just have to want it enough.
 

Caliostro

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Jan 23, 2008
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esperandote said:
If you knew whether your opponent is to your left or to your right you can also play fighting games.
Providing that they give sufficient sound feedback to identify their movements and attacks. Remember, he can't see whether you're throwing a short or long punch by the animation alone, so if the sound is the same he might be in trouble in a more technical game (think Street Fighter). However, if the game provides different sound cues for different moves, even marginally so as his hearing seems pitch perfect, then yes. And I have no doubt he'd be very good at it.
 

GeorgW

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Aug 27, 2010
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That's nice, hopefully developers will think more about sound design cuz of this!