Mr Josh Tseng, whose vision is less than five per cent in both eyes, is one of two Singaporeans who were a part of a global group of test gamers.
The JBL Quantum Guide Play software uses advanced artificial intelligence to process in-game visuals, and translate them into audio cues, said Ms Lee Yeeling, senior director of Asia consumer marketing in the Asia-Pacific region at Harman International. Harman is the parent company of audio equipment manufacturer JBL.
Although the software works only with Counter-Strike 2 currently, it will be made open-source soon, according to the software’s website. This means other companies and developers can modify and implement it in their games. “But if there’s a chair next to the door in the room, then I would want to know where the chair is instead, so I can leave the room. Obstacles in the game’s map act as landmarks.”
“But it definitely opens a whole new world and quite unchartered territory for many visually impaired people, who now have the option to explore gaming,” said the 26-year-old, who was diagnosed with cone rod dystrophy as a child.