Design Process of a VR Sports Games Trilogy for Paraplegic Players: VR4Inclusion Case Study

Abstract

Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury, has problems with their motor dysfunctions and Physical Therapy is an important process in order to prevent those problems dramatically. Motivation plays a key role in this part. People with the SCI, don’t want to be separated from the others yet they require to be attended like the others. Aim of this project is about how to design an inclusive game and interaction and to empower young people with disabilities both socially and physically. In order to do that, Three Paralympic sport games—Boccia, Handcycling and Sledge Hockey—were produced. During the game production, focus group played the game. Playtesting sessions were conducted as a part of a social inclusion event in Istanbul with the support of Tyrtaois Sports Club and International Association of Spinal Cord Paralysis. During the playtesting, disabled people participated as well as non-disabled people, who got together in order to play the games and share their opinions. Game production continued with the feedbacks received from playtesting sessions. After the beta phase, there was another meeting in Ankara, with the hosting of the International Association of Spinal Cord Paralysis, and people who played the old version and the others play a newer version of the games. After each session, they expected to fill a questionnaire about their experience. The results evaluated in order to make it more inclusive and more user-friendly for all type of players. © 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.