Board game inclusion
keeps tables accessible.
Lessons to be learnt.
Whilst the concept of inclusion has been studied in video games, board games remain an under-explored area despite a surge in board game popularity in recent years. In an article in The Computer Games Journal, Heron et al (2018) have set out to rectify this based on their work with Meeple Like Us and the Meeple Centred Design project (meeple being a term for player pieces in board games – ‘my people’).
Their analysis of 116 board games found strengths and weakness in game design and accessibility around colour blindness and other visual impairments, physical abilities, cognitive and emotional accessibility, articulation and communication, as well as the level of representation, diversity and inclusion present in modern board games.
The project is now looking towards developing a set of Tabletop Accessibility Guidelines to help game designers interested in ensuring their games are accessible.
Original research: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40869-018-0056-9