A new kind of game center for experiencing space, speed, stories, and the body—only through sound!
Encounter the rich potential for sound to convey information and create things, and explore accessibility and inclusion.
Audio games are like video games but without visual components: they are created and played through sound. Far from being just video games with added accessibility via audible or tactile feedback, they are designed specifically for sound and developed without the use of sight. Audio games have been released online by designers and developers around the world, and played by many kinds of gamers. The games enable us to perceive space and sensation in whole new ways through sound, and also induce experiences where we rediscover the world that we hear every day.
Audio Game Center + CCBT opens in Civic Creative Base Tokyo as a laboratory for exploring how we can make and play with sound through creating, playing, and enjoying audio games. The game center offers opportunities not only for visitors to play a wide variety of audio games, but also participate in a hackathon event to develop new games, and experience what it is like to actually make an audio game. During the period that it is open, the game center hosts talks with special guests to share their insights into accessibility and inclusion in terms of audio game development.
Movement, spatial perception, and descriptions of situations, all guided by technology, sound-based expression, and human sensation. Experience a new world that emerges from sound, inspiring our imaginations and creativity through audio games.
Program direction: Tanaka Miyuki, Nozawa Yukio, Kakehi Yasuaki
Outline
Hackathon: Collaborate on Making Games from Sound
An audio game hackathon! Instructors provide commentary on audio games and the scene as well as case studies of accessibility in video games. In partnership with engineers and blind facilitators, participants try creating games while exploring ways of perceiving space and location through sound. The resulting mockups are then later brushed up and exhibited as part of the audio game archive.
Date & Time: July 13 (Sat) – July 15 (Mon), 2024 1:00 pm – 5:00 am
Lecturers / Facilitators: Inukai Hiroshi, Ishida Hayato, Egashira Misato, Omachi Yoshiki, Kakehi Yasuaki, Kato Hideyuki, Shirai Takaaki, suzueri (Suzuki Elico), Tanaka Miyuki, Tsuji Katsutoshi, Nagashima Chihiro, Nozawa Yukio, Mashiro, Matsuura Tomoya, Miura Daiki
Audio Game Exhibits: The Fun of Playing Games through Sound
These exhibits feature audio games that can be played with others. The games are made through expertise in art, technology, and design as well as the ideas and sensations generated by the conditions of a disability. In addition to racing, horror, and action games, visitors can try an app that enables them to create audio games using their body.
Super Audio Racing! (Racing Game)
In this racing game, you drive a car by relying on a melody that tells you which direction to go. Turn the steering wheel depending on whether you hear the melody in the left or right headphone. You have to steer faster as the race speeds up if you want beat the other players! Sense the space from the sounds, imagine the speed you’re going, and then roar across the finish line.
Where the Ghost Dwells (Horror Game)
In this narrative-driven horror game, you’re guided by sounds and a female ghost. Why does this friendly ghost appear in front of you? Follow the various sounds you hear (created with stereophonic sound technology) to solve the mystery as you proceed through the different parts of the story.
Screaming Strike neo (Rhythm and Action Game)
There’s just one rule: hit where you hear something! This audio game offers that universal feeling of release and satisfaction you get from hitting something. To play the zombie version of the game, listen to the sounds to tell which direction the enemies are coming from and knock down the ones coming at you. In the “flying tiles” version, punch and smash the boards and tiles you hear flying through the air.
Audio AR Game Maker (Audio Game Design App)
Audio AR Game Maker lets you create your own audio game using your phone or other device to insert various sounds in a physical space through augmented reality technology. The app is designed for both blind and sighted users. Brainstorm rules with your collaborators and then make your own game!
Audio Game Archive+: Play the World of Audio Games
Visitors here experience arcade, puzzle, and action games made mainly by blind developers using sound. Attune your senses of hearing and touch to anticipate a space through how sounds resonate, perceive the presence of people and objects, and play games with others.
Meetup: The Future of Sound Technology and Audio Games
The action game Blind Drive takes a sound-based driving game format that uses stereophonic sound, and adds visual aids for sighted players. This talk features the designer who developed the game and pioneered a whole new kind of audio games
Speakers: Tanaka Miyuki, Nozawa Yukio
Guest: Giori Politi (sound designer, game designer / Lo-Fi People)
Date: September 1 (Sun), 2024 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Registration: First-come, first-served basis
Accessibility and Support: English-Japanese Simultaneous Interpretation Available / Live-streaming Available
Access
Shibuya Tobu Hotel B2F (3-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
By Train
Shibuya Station: 7 minutes’ walk from B1 Exit ( Tokyu Toyoko Line, Denen-Toshi Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and Fukutoshin Line), or 8 minutes’ walk from Hachiko Exit ( JR Yamanote Line, Saikyo Line, Shonan Shinjuku Line, Keio Inokashira Line and Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
By Bus
2 minutes’ walk from Shibuya Kuyakusho (Shibuya City Office) Bus Stop, or 3 minutes’ walk from Jin-Nan-Itchome (Jin-Nan1) Bus Stop by Keio Bus (to Shibuya Station): Juku 51 from Shinjuku Station West Exit, Shibu 63 and 64 from Nakano Station, Shibu 69 from Sasazuka Station and Shibu 68 from Eifukucho Station.
*Also accessible by Toei Bus.
