Ok I'm gonna say it. People are allowed to be frustrated if there is no accessibility in a game for them. Even if there are some other great features for others. You would feel awful if you were left out. The accessibility community needs to stand together for all.
Thank you for sharing all of your stories and love. I know somewhere
@superblindman
is seeing all this and he is smiling knowing he has and is making a difference. I'm sure he also misses you all. You have helped me a lot today. I know grieving is a process. Gotta feel it out
Officially putting myself out there as an accessibility consultant! My main focus is to make video games playable for the totally blind. I also have some website building experience that I'm going to work to update as it's a bit outdated. Let's do this!
I know it took me a while to post this. That was because I was backing up Brandon's website and his youtube videos. He didn't think much about preserving what he had already done, always the next thing. I could use your help my friends. Thank you <3
I gotta be strong for Ana cat and Raspberry dog. Raspberry only knew brandon for 2 days but she knew he was sick and she stayed by his side until he went to the hospital. I gotta be strong for the accessibility community especially the blind community. But for now rest.
It's funny. Brandon was really yin to my yang in real life and in fighting for accessibility. He was diplomatic, funny and kind and me, while I mean well, can be harsh in my wording if I feel I need to be. I'll say what I know everyone is thinking even if I probably shouldn't.
@pierce_jeffrey
This definitely got a laugh out of me. Considering I beat TLOU 1 with a brick since I had nothing else. It was pretty funny at the time, but if it had been just a sandwich, that would have been even funnier.
There are so many places that need help with accessibility! Express your ideas! Share your thoughts! Even playing the games on Twitch or other streaming sites gives so much information. You have no idea! Go do it!
@superblindman
would want you to! :)
Brandon and I went to Money in the Bank when it was in Columbus Ohio. He wanted to make a sign that said "I really can't see u". I'm not sure if
@JohnCena
saw it but the production guys ran over and let us know they loved it! We made sure he had his white cane visible too!
The small necklace urn I ordered to put some of Brandon's ashes in is coming soon. I will always have him with me no matter where I go. That makes me happy :)
The fact that it's 2024 and we're still having to explain to these corporate higher ups that accessibility is important and explain to them why is ridiculous and exhausting. Thank you to all in house accessibility champions that are fighting for us. <3 We see you.
@kurtmargenau
Sometimes the biggest risks have the best rewards. I learned that when I charged a plane ticket to send
@superblindman
to GDC. You guys deserve this so much and it's been an honor for Brandon and I to work with you.
I just want to say so that you all know. If you want to reach out to me, please do. I know many of you are hurting and miss Brandon. I am here for you as you've been here for me. Just not being alone in my grief has helped. <3
I am here.
@superblindman
is sedated for now. His BP is still really low. He's running a bit of a fever and they had to give him meds because he keeps clotting the dialysis machine. Pray they find this freaking infection.
Update on
@superblindman
! They were hunting for a certain genetic defect and they found it! So Monday after his liver biopsy, I think they're going to start spot treatment!! Finally!!!
Look I know we are all upset and frustrated in the blind community. I know our morale has taken a huge hit with the death of superblindman, please know that Brandon would not have wanted the meanness I've seen today. ( continued )
80lbs down since November and I feel so good! My face is thinner, my back pain is being helped with meds, none of which are hardcore pain meds. Sugar is leveled out. I’ve broken the vicious cycle I was in! It feels great!
@ianhamilton_
@LadieAuPair
I hate this shit. :( I guess I'm lucky because I'm not seen as an "attractive" female but I've seen this shit and I hate it. I guess maybe I've experienced it too in the "you have no place being here" way when I'm in the photo pit at shows. I hate that shit too.
#GameDev
if you are going to add a nav assist to your game, don't just go with visual! Add audio for the blind! If you need examples look at Spider-Man 2 or The Last of Us. The blind community wants to play too!
Today has been rough. Being moved to tears by seeing Brandon credited in a game after his death, to being sad that game got pulled. I talked to his mom today. We both feel like this is a nightmare but it's one we won't wake up from. ( continued )
This is Kai. Yesterday I got to do what few people get to do. I got to fulfill his wish with make a wish. We talked
@superblindman
and our friends, games, accessibility and even ideas we might have for games we'd like the blind to play. This kid is going places!
I woke up crying today. Lot of emotion as I prepare to meet Kai, the make a wish kid that wanted to meet Brandon. It blew Brandon's mind that he wanted to meet him and it blows mine that he still wanted to meet me.
There are so many people that I wish I were closer with. I really wanna be friends but we're acquaintances. Can we be friends? Making friends as an adult is hard.
Vampires might be scary, but accessibility isn't!
Today, we’re sharing the accessibility assessment of Cabernet we completed in partnership with Games Accessibility Hub.
Cabernet is a 2D narrative RPG set in a 19th century Eastern European inspired world, with a modern twist.
Brandon had to be intubated this evening. I'll know more when I get to the hospital ❤️ keep sending love. Send voice messages to his account! I will play them for him if he is awake!
@stevesaylor
@Naughty_Dog
When I saw
@superblindman
get his first stealth kill. I cried. When I saw that
@PortableKingpin
and the whole team were going balls to the wall to make this game absolutely playable. I cried again. It's overwhelming and amazing and I was so happy the team pulled you in Steve.
I got Brandon's domain transferred to my account. He had it paid up for the year so that's awesome. So I'm gonna take a couple days break and then I'll get to work on getting his wordpress site set back up and stuff. That was a lot of work!
I'm not a member of
@RKGamersTeam
. I hope to be in the future but right now I gotta get myself together. My man
@superblindman
is though. And through him I've met so many wonderful people that are part of this team. I love you all. <3
When Brandon died, I lost the one person who had faith in me. My mother, you should see the shit she says and feels. She feels I can't do anything. She's never had faith in anything I do. Today she was on my case and I really wish Brandon would have been here.
I gotta shift my thinking from being a sidekick to being a consultant myself. This reminds me of the mind shift I was talking to Brandon about when the Blind started playing triple A titles. Interesting.
@mystiquesgame
@superblindman
If you need any help, I will be more than happy to help you. I am not sure if you know who I am, but I am Brandon's fiancé. I want to help finish any project he was a part of and continue on to help with many more as he wanted me to. Big shoes to fill. He was amazing.
I'm black and blue, my back's against the ropes
Your hands around my neck, but I won't choke
My heart is strong, my veins are paved with hope
And when I stand up your bones will all be broke, broke
- 12 Rounds -
@bohnes
You know it's hard to believe that the box sitting on top of our xbox are Brandon's remains. It's hard to believe that my phone will never ring and he'd be on the other end. I'm moving forward but God this is so fucking hard.
Got my
@secretlabchairs
chair today. My spine has been bad since birth and only gotten worse over the years. I love gaming and I work as a photographer so a lot of times I spend hours sitting. This chair is amazing so far. I am so happy! Thank you to
@DrLupo
!
Wanna know how to help? Beyond emailing people? Read the articles your peers post. Listen to the podcasts or videos. Amplify them, comment on them, share them. Sometimes boosting others helps the cause more than anything.
Man guys. I'm gonna be honest, having to watch
@superblindman
go through this is heartbreaking. He wants to work but can't because of pain and fucking cancer. Fuck cancer! Things will get better but right now it is where it is. :(
Accessibility is a mindset change not a light switch. As long as it's a positive step forward and not backward, it's progress. - Sometimes I say smart things. :)
I'm not waiting to see what happens behind the scenes. We need to keep teaching, posting and using all the channels to suggest accessibility for games we love and are interested in. Now more than ever.
While it is sad that so far this year, we have yet to see as many fully accessible games as we did last year, I don't think it means that accessibility is dying, that no one cares anymore, or that accessibility work isn't being done behind the scenes. Just because it's not
Goodbye my beloved Angelus ( Angel Bob ). You were the worst assistant I ever had. You’d lay on my books and pick my keys off my laptop. But, you were the best cat a girl could ever have. I kept my promise and loved you fiercely to the end as you did me.
But after seeing her fight courageously and with a fire I recognized at one point in myself, I realized the LAST thing I need to do is pick my battles. Fuck all you racists and fuck all you people that don't wanna work with me or shut me out because I speak my mind.
Brandon and I loved
@NolanTaylrMusic
. First saw him in Chicago and the day after my birthday. Brandon couldn't make it as he wasn't feeling good after surgery. I called him on discord so he could be there with me. One of my last sweet moments with him
You know what, what's happening to
@ZombaeKillz
pisses me off. I work in the music industry and I've been threatened and everything else for speaking out about the bullshit I've seen. Ya'll just can't seem to deal with powerful women (1 of ? )
Look let's just say it this way. NOBODY wants a game to be played for them unless it's an absolute last resort. Please
#GameDev
push for the hire of consultants. WE WANT TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCES. Not someone else doing it for us, not the game doing it. Us doing it!
Starting now and into next year I want to start doubling down on trying to make people understand why accessibility is important. You all have heard Brandon's stories. You haven't heard mine. It's time to tell them. While also reiterating points Brandon made.
Losing 80lbs has made my 3x shirts become dresses. I'm amused. I still like wearing them. Reminds me of where I've come from. Plus they're comfy. It's honestly pointless for me to go clothes shopping so i've been unboxing old clothes. I'm in my pants from high school LOL
@superblindman
I don't think that's right considering there are people in the blind community waiting on your review. You're an information outlet. Review the game.
@geoffkeighley
@superblindman
Thank you Geoff. Brandon always loved TGA. He loved helping you make it accessible to everyone too. If there is anything I can do to help you, TGA or any of the future class with accessibility, please let me know.
Can I just say this. I am proud that mine, Brandon's and
@Tjtheblindgamer
's progress helped influence
@Diablo
4. He knew about the nav assist but did not have a chance to try it on the test server. He just wasn't feeling well enough. ( continue )
I have made a playlist on
@superblindman
's youtube. It's the beginning of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth he did with Damien El Maskadore on Twitch. Damien is continuing it on in his memory and I will be adding his videos to this playlist.
Thank you
@ZombaeKillz
thank you for making me realize that society can't stand the truth and they try to silence you. Also, thank you for making me see that the last thing I need to do is play this stupid fucking game they want me to play.
I have anxiety. I get life isn’t about me, but when you start treating me differently than you did, my mind automatically goes to you don’t want me around. Please love your friends with mental health issues. Just a few mins. Especially right now. This all is very hard on us.
@scburdick
@superblindman
@LiamErven
Brandon had melanoma. We tried to keep everyone updated as much as possible. While in the hospital recently he got a mystery infection and no matter what they threw at it, he just kept declining.
So one of the last things Brandon did was pledge to get me a leather bound copy of Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. I'm in talks with Dragonsteel to see if I still can get it.
I've always told Devs and Brandon agreed "Any information we sighted people get, the blind should too!" So for example we hover over an item and it says stick. It should have an audio sound or text to speech that says stick so they know too.
Brandon would have reminded all of us that all consultants go into a game project wanting to make it completely playable. Fact is some things get cut and it's not our fault or the dev's fault. He would tell us we need to stick together through this rough time.
Just finished the survey for the Brandon Sanderson stuff
@superblindman
got me. It'll be on it's way next year. I'm so thankful for the wonderful people at
@DragonsteelBook
:)
I think my mom finally gets it now. She went from give it time, you'll find someone again to it would take someone really special wouldn't it? Yeah mom it would. It damn sure would.
Please let's be absolutely clear that Ratchet and Clank is not playable for the completely blind. There are some nice features but you may be giving wrong information to people while you sing it's praise. We're not there yet. Gaming isn't for everyone until it is.
Remember my friends, everything we have done is REAL people know it too. Don't get nervous over this. *hug* Also if you're out there faking shit
@Super_Crip1994
is onto you!
You know over the last few months I have been doubting myself. The evil voices of depression have said I'm not good enough and I should just quit. Then
@FrazaKing
pops up on twitter with an amazing post. <3 Surround yourself with people that want you to grow!
I had a biscuit from McDonald's this morning and a big effin coffee. There were just some days where I'd wake up and be like I want a big freakin coffee and Brandon knew exactly what to do :) McDonald's! Miss you Brandon. ❤️
Hey
@Bungie
!
@stevesaylor
is able to play Destiny 2. How about we go the next step and pull in me and
@superblindman
and go full blind accessible. It would help Steve too! I have so many blind friends I want to play with. They want to as well! Let us play!