Understanding How Visually Impaired Players Socialize in Mobile Games

2025-07-20

AI Summary

This study investigates the social practices and community integration challenges faced by visually impaired players in mobile gaming in China, revealing systemic deficiencies in accessibility, interactive feedback, and community support. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 30 visually impaired participants, we conduct a qualitative study that— for the first time—systematically characterizes authentic behavioral patterns, including cross-platform collaboration, voice-based social interaction, and information acquisition. Findings indicate that while mobile games hold substantial social potential, three interrelated barriers persist: non-semantic UIs, excessively complex interaction pathways, absent or inadequate audio feedback, and exclusion from mainstream gaming communities. To address these, we propose an inclusive design framework centered on “perceptual substitution—interaction simplification—community embedding.” Grounded in empirical evidence and culturally contextualized insights, this framework advances both theoretical understanding and practical implementation of equitable, sustainable accessible gaming ecosystems in China.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction
• Computer Vision: Low Level & Physics-based Vision

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Responsible Web: Social and technical mechanisms of refusal for web technologies and applications
• Social Networks and Social Media: Generative AI / large language models and their impact on social systems

Abstract

Mobile games are becoming a vital medium for social interaction, offering a platform that transcends geographical boundaries. An increasing number of visually impaired individuals are engaging in mobile gaming to connect, collaborate, compete, and build friendships. In China, visually impaired communities face significant social challenges in offline settings, making mobile games a crucial avenue for socialization. However, the design of mobile games and their mapping to real-world environments significantly shape their social gaming experiences. This study explores how visually impaired players in China navigate socialization and integrate into gaming communities. Through interviews with 30 visually impaired players, we found that while mobile games fulfill many of their social needs, technological barriers and insufficient accessibility features, and internal community divisions present significant challenges to their participation. This research sheds light on their social experiences and offers insights for designing more inclusive and accessible mobile games.

Problem

• How visually impaired players socialize in mobile games
• Challenges faced by visually impaired gamers in China
• Designing inclusive mobile games for social interaction

Innovation

• Interviews with 30 visually impaired players
• Analyzing mobile game accessibility features
• Designing inclusive social gaming experiences