Ergonomics - iPhone Game Blueprints - page 71

try to equip game triggers with some unique graphic icons, also try to combine them
with some safe colors to increase attractiveness.
You can also play with patterns, a good inspiration would be various maps and
schemes from old topics; many great topics were published in black and white. So
graphic illustrators of that time had to distinguish elements by using patterns based
on dots of different densities, diagonal lines, grids, parallel lines, and so on.
Bear in mind that you need not try to create a universal system that would be good
both for people with normal color vision and those with some problems, because a
majority of players with normal vision can be confused by a new logic of color coding
(such players expect that the angry enemy would feature red eyes, not blue ones).
It is better to add an optional mode oriented to players with special color needs. The
game has to be created normally, using any color scheme you like, but all the im-
portant trigger elements should have the option of being switched from the normal
look to the special from the menu options. A practical example can be found in the
puzzle game Peggle, designed by PopCap Games; it can be switched to the color-
blind-friendly mode via the Options menu:
A puzzle game Peggle from PopCap features special mode for color-blind players
Then you have to check the entire color adaption with some real-time simulators. If
the game is playable in such a mode, you can be calm. Of course, the most reliable
way is to invite a person with color vision deficiency to be your beta tester; such a
person can give the most precious advice. Remember that you may not resolve all
the problems associated with the colors for color-blind players, but you should at
least try, because of the love and respect you have for all of your players.
Sometimes a human eye can have extra abilities. There is an interesting story about
the famous French painter Claude Monet . Because he had cataracts diagnosed at a
pretty advanced age, the lens in his eye began to lose their ability to transmit light
correctly. The painter began to experience difficulties with the perception of colors;