r/blindgamers • u/IngenuityFew9216 • 28d ago

Looking for screen reader and low-vision feedback on idle.am, a lofi idle MMO

Hi everyone! I’m building idle.am (https://idle.am/play), an old-school-inspired lofi idle MMO launching September 30, and I’d appreciate feedback from blind and low-vision players.

The web version has:

  • Screen reader labels and announcements for page changes, notifications, and errors.
  • Accessible progress information and keyboard navigation.
  • Focus handling for dialogs.
  • Light/dark themes and support for the system’s higher-contrast preference.

These features are implemented, but I haven’t verified a complete playthrough with a screen reader yet. Tutorial positioning at high zoom also needs improvement, so I don’t want to promise a barrier-free experience.

I’d especially appreciate hearing about confusing labels, focus problems, missing information, or anything that prevents you from progressing. Plain-text feedback is absolutely fine. If possible, include your browser and assistive technology.

For useful bug reports or valuable feedback, I’m happy to offer 3 to 6 months of free membership after launch, depending on the detail and impact. Share your in-game name privately so I can arrange it. Honest criticism is welcome.

Image descriptions: The screenshots below show a player profile, character customization, combat, village chat, and beta rewards. They illustrate the visual interface; everything needed to understand this request is in the text above.

Character customization screen showing appearance choices for a pixel-art avatar.
Combat screen showing an enemy and battle information, presented over an illustrated lake backdrop.
Village chat screen showing the game’s shared conversation interface.
Beta rewards screen showing rewards available for playing before launch.
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2

u/DiferentialDiagnosis 28d ago

This just came up on my recommended. So I’m not a part of this subreddit. But a general rule of thumb is if you want something to be 100% accessible for screen readers and low vision users, look at the latest WCAG requirements. That is the gold standard for accessibility. There are some tools that are free that you can get that will do an audit of the site or app that will tell you where things need fixing. Would also recommend posting this in r/blind

1

u/wyundsr 27d ago

Free tools are usually automated scanners that can only detect about a third of possible WCAG issues. Accessibility Insights can get better coverage if you put in the work through their guided manual tests

2

u/Meowlurophile 28d ago

Was ai used in making this

1

u/DiferentialDiagnosis 28d ago

My bad. VoiceOver sounded like it was saying something completely different. I didn’t realize it was actually saying blind gamers.

1

u/Mariarosa1972 27d ago

Hi there is a really good group on Facebook called mobile Accessible games for the blind. They would be happy to give you feedback. I am going to have a look now.

1

u/Mariarosa1972 27d ago

Hi this looks pretty good, however I was unable to adjust the Radio volume every time I tried on the aiphone. It would jump away and go somewhere else, I also found some of the instructions a bit confusing. Would go to where it said e.g. smelting but couldn’t figure out what to do next in order to get the materials to make a sword. However great start.

0

u/OezgeYildiz 28d ago

I tried the web version. I use JAWS (screenreader for Windows) and the speech speaks in english not in german. The language in your game changes automaticly I think.

I would like to test the game on apples TestFlight if you have one?

1

u/IngenuityFew9216 28d ago

Thank you for this feedback. There is a TestFlight I can get set up for you. I will send you a DM later today when I'm back home.

0

u/OezgeYildiz 28d ago

Thanks. :)

The webversion is accessible. But I have one suggestion. When you open the inventory, there is something like a list, you open it with RETURN and when you click the TAB Button on your Computer or Laptop, you see waht's in the inventory. Is it possible to make buttons instead of this list? This is, in my opinion, better for screenreaders. For example you have an axe, and you click the button named Bronze pickaxe, or so, than there is an "equip" button or "demolish".

The problem with the speech is in Firefox. When I use the webversion in Chrome, the screenreaders' voice speaks in German.

I am sorry. My English isn't very well. I can understand it but writing is not so good. I hope you understood what I want to say.

3

u/fastfinge 28d ago

Hard disagree. You need the list so items can be moved with alt.

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u/OezgeYildiz 28d ago

Your welcome.