With more and more blind and visually impaired folks using computers these days and with advances in audio technology, accessible gaming has been on the up-swing in recent years. Accessible games range from text based games to games which use high quality audible sound effects to create a 3d environment in which one can hear the spacial relationship between objects, monsters and rooms. I enjoy games as much as the next person although admittedly, when it comes to the really high tech, high action audio games, I’m way out of my element. I was very happy, therefore, when I discovered Super Geekout by Dan Z games, an audio based arcade game that even someone like me could play.

Dan Zingaro has been a developer of accessible games for a number of years. In addition to Super Geekout, Dan Z has developed Search Party, a word search game, ChainLink, a word association game and a number of additional free games. Unfortunately, due to other time commitments, Dan Z games will be closing sometime in June. Dan has, however, very graciously made his games available to the public as freeware.

Whether you’re a expert gamer, one who likes to play games as time allows, or someone who didn’t know accessible games exist, Dan Z games are worth a look. As the “sometime in June” reference is a bit vague, however, I’d recommend downloading the games as soon as possible.

So, where to go? What to do? Dan Z games can be found, read about and of course downloaded from www.danzgames.com. For the paid games, you first need to download and install the demonstration versions and then an additional small program which turns the demo into the fully registered version. On the Dan Z games page, Dan provides step by step instructions on how to get these files and get them installed.

On a personal note, I have gotten a great deal of enjoyment out of Dan Z’s games and am sorry to see him leave the accessible gaming arena. Certainly, I wish Dan Z the very best in whatever direction life is taking him and want to say thank you, for making technology a great deal more fun. :)

Steve