Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · 1d

I'll be joining @mpco.bsky.social later today (4pm PT) to chat about visual accessibility in tabletop games!

Matt Paquette & Co. @mpco.bsky.social · 2d

ACCESSIBILITY DESIGN TIP!
Accessible Player Counts Flexible player counts—solo, 2p, scalable—make your game accessible to more groups.

Attend my Design for Accessibility LIVE! on Oct 7th for more tips!
#graphicdesign #boardgames #accessibility

2 6

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · 12d

YES, I contend that color differentiation becomes an issue for EVERYONE at 6+, so how about we shift away from colors as the default player distinguisher, and instead play as different shapes, animals, etc!

1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · 13d

Thanks, Tim!

2

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · 13d

Bring Your Own Meeples...and other visual accessibility tips in today's essay!

What components would you borrow from other games to customize your player pieces (for accessibility and/or just for fun)?

colorblindgames.com/2025/09/25/a...

Accessibility Tip: Bring Your Own Meeples

For colorblind board gamers, the most significant challenge is usually identifying player pieces. Even in games that are otherwise colorblind-friendly, most games continue to distinguish multiple p…

colorblindgames.com

3 15

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Sep 8

See my accessibility-focused review of Propolis from @flatoutgames.bsky.social and @alderaceg.bsky.social!

colorblindgames.com/2025/09/06/c...

Colorblind Games Review: Propolis

In Propolis—designed by Molly Johnson, Robert Melvin, and Shawn Stankewich—players deploy worker bees to collect pollen, fortify their positions, and construct hives to appease their queen. It comb…

colorblindgames.com

4 9

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Jul 25

ICYMI: One of our most-read articles is this guest post from @sarahreed.bsky.social!

Sarah shares her efforts playing games with her husband, Will, and the essay includes tips for anyone playing with gamers who have vision disabilities.

colorblindgames.com/2023/06/05/a...

A Buyer’s Guide to Visually Accessible Board Games

I am excited to welcome Sarah Reed back to share her experiences and recommendations to support board gamers with visual accessibility barriers. This is a follow-up to Sarah’s previous essay …

colorblindgames.com

2 6

Reposted by Brian Chandler

Can I Play That? @caniplaythat.com · May 16

As one of the launch partners of the Accessible Games Initiative, Microsoft is now first to integrate the accessibility tags on Xbox storefronts.

The tags will replace equivalent Accessibility Feature tags, while some remain to complement the new tags.

caniplaythat.com/2025/05/16/x...

Xbox storefronts first to feature Accessible Games Initiative tags - Can I Play That?

One of the launch partners of the Accessible Games Initiative, Microsoft is first to integrate the accessibility tags on Xbox storefronts.

caniplaythat.com

1 15 31

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Mar 26

We are aligned in burger construction. 🥂

3

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Mar 26

I choose based on what's mostly likely to fall off or make it hard to each, so I build patty, cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce.

(Also condiments on both buns + on cheese to help everything stick together.)

(Also hand-smash it all together for easier eating & aforementioned stick-togetherness.)

2

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Mar 5

I love A Feast for Odin but also 100% get that it's not a love connection for many. 😀

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Mar 4

A positive score on your very first game of Agricola? That's great! 😀

(I love Agricola but also 100% that it's not a love connection for many.)

1 2

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Feb 24

I used your link, then saved another $5 by grabbing a Used-Like New option, realizing that might be a risk.

Box had some corner damage (one corner) and shrink wrap had some damage, but inside content was perfect/untouched.

Thanks for sharing this deal!

1 1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Feb 18

I'm leery to jump into this thread (zero published games as designer), but I just packed up an entire drawer of prototype bits-and-pieces for an upcoming move.

I'll keep them around for a long time - at least as prompts to try designing something new!

1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Feb 11

Another challenge for those interested in game accessibility education (and probably everyone) - AI-generated "courses" in niche disciplines.

Ian Hamilton 🔜 GAConf USA @ianhamilton.bsky.social · Feb 11

Today's #AI slop: a fake paid game accessibility course that is 100% gen-AI, filled with the same factual errors you get from asking ChatGPT, and sold on lies like 'taught by experts' 'networking opportunities' '500 vacancies' - www.lsba.org.uk/Home/CourseD...

LSBA: professional certificate in reviewing inclusive game design. Short course, apply now.

1 4

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Feb 11

Ugh, what a frustrating additional challenge to navigate.

Is there a list/database of bad actors like this? And even more helpful, are their vetted, legitimate courses, certificates, and/or programs that can help folks find education opportunities?

1 1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Feb 5

Check out my latest accessibility review, this time for Great Western Trail: Second Edition!

"...the game provides mostly accessible components for colorblind and low-vision players, with some exceptions."

Visual Accessibility | Great Western Trail 2nd Edition

Great Western Trail: Second Edition is designed by Alexander Pfister, with art by Chris Quilliams and published by eggertspiele, among others. Players take on the role of ranchers herding cattle fr…

colorblindgames.com

1 5

Reposted by Brian Chandler

Our Family Plays Games @ourfamplaysgames.bsky.social · Jan 25

LIVE this Sunday! Join Starla & Mik on Sunday, Jan 26, 2025, at 11 AM CST as we chat about the games we’ve received lately. Come hang out, share your game recs, and let’s have some fun!

📅 When: Sunday, Jan 26, 11 AM CST
📍 Where: www.youtube.com/@OurFamilyPl...

2 13

Reposted by Brian Chandler

The Game Accessibility Conference @gaconf.bsky.social · Jan 25

🏆 Want to know who won the 2024 GAconf accessibility awards? Find out this Wednesday, streaming on both @ign.com and the IGDA-GASIG YouTube channel!

Full info on all the finalists and why they're finalists is at www.gaconf.com/gaconf-award...
#gamedev #accessibility

GAconf (IGDA-GASIG) Awards 24. Jan 19th, 9am PST, 12pm ET, 5pm GMT. GAconf.com.

2 53 100

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Jan 24

"Plays 3-5" was a hurdle for me to purchase. I often want a 1 and/or 2P option so it gets to the table enough.

1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Jan 16

www.orcacon.org

Growing yearly and unabashedly queer-friendly, accessibility-focused, Orcan is the most open-armed, friendly con I've attended. It's just the best.

2025, OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention

OrcaCon 2025 is Live! Announcements: Nothing yet, enjoy your games, everyone! Essential Links & Info Convention Hours Registration Booth Friday: 9 AM...

www.orcacon.org

5

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Jan 15

Exciting news from Mattel on colorblind accessibility! www.fastcompany.com/91146946/mat...

Mattel will make 80% of its games color-blind accessible by the end of the year

Mattel will make slight design changes to its card games so that gameplay is accessible for people with color blindness, too.

www.fastcompany.com

7

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Jan 5

Mostly kidding, and to be fair, I had asked about purchasing primarily for solo.

I appreciate your perspective on it!

1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Jan 4

I got talked out of purchasing Heat to play solo from some yahoos on the @tabletopexpress.bsky.social Discord server. 😀

Tell. Me. Everything.

3 1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Dec 31

Yeah, that's been our experience (including my "normal color vision" family members).

But with a little Star Wars knowledge and experience playing a few games, we learned these new cards well enough that we don't get confused much now.

1

Brian Chandler @colorblindgames.bsky.social · Dec 31

My 2024 round up includes mini-reviews of 7 "new to me" games from this year: LOTR Duel for Middle-earth, Star Wars Unlimited, Flamecraft, and more!

colorblindgames.com/2024/12/31/a...

Accessibility Review Roundup: 2024

To wrap up 2024, I’m writing a series of mini-reviews for board games new to me this year. You’ll see a variety of accessibility barriers and some excellent mitigations to help make the…

colorblindgames.com

1 2 6