A Hero’s Call is a fantasy RPG developed by two blind people who had a love for gaming before losing their sight. They wanted to be able to play the same kind of games that they use to; so they created Out of Sight Games, which has the goal of developing games that can be played both by blind and sighted people. This makes it possible for blind people to still enjoy games without being isolated from other sighted players. Their first game is called A Hero’s Call. Out of Sight Games is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the game’s voice actors.
From the Developer
A couple of years ago, a blind writer and composer met a blind programmer. Both had lost their sight as young adults, and both had grown up playing mainstream video games. Both had particularly enjoyed the RPG genre for its compelling narratives, and the thrill of exploring vast and exciting lands. Both mourned the fact that no accessible game on the market quite offered that experience to blind gamers.
So we decided to do something about it. We didn’t have any budget apart from what was in our pockets, and we didn’t have any experience with something of this magnitude – but what we did have was a love of gaming and a deep-seated desire to play games like the ones we used to enjoy. And so Out of Sight Games was born –
Our first project, the fantasy RPG A Hero’s Call was intended as a small project, mostly for the purpose of testing game mechanics and other design elements. But before long, it took on a life of its own, growing into a full-featured game to rival anything currently available to blind gamers.
As the project grew, so did our plans for the future. Our team has expanded to include a dedicated sound designer; he isn’t blind, but he shares our interest in the immersive aspects of game audio. We’re still just a group of hobbyists, trying our best to make a game – but we’re pretty darn proud of what we’ve accomplished. And we aren’t done yet. We’re already taking the lessons we’ve learned and are planning ways to apply them to future projects even broader in scope than A Hero’s Call. With the support of the community, we can say with confidence that we’ve only just begun our journey to create boundary-pushing, inclusive game experiences for blind and sighted players alike.
A Hero’s Call
Experience exploration and adventure like never before! In the premier title from Out of Sight Games, you are a traveler thrust into a world of possibilities when you find the city of Farhaven under attack by a mysterious enemy. Along with a small band of allies, you must explore the surrounding lands, discover the identity of your enigmatic foe, and save Farhaven from certain conquest. Do you have what it takes to answer a hero’s call?
Discover an expansive world– Venture forth from the town of Farhaven to explore mysterious forests, goblin-infested tunnels, haunted catacombs, and much more. With 17 unique maps, you’ll always have new lands to explore. Follow an innovative turn-by-turn beacon system to locations you’ve already discovered, or venture out on your own—you never know what you might find!
Gather your allies– Expand your party with four unique allies; the feisty daughter of a powerful governor, a noble ranger with a troubled past, an idealistic priestess, and a sarcastic thief with a heart (and pockets full) of gold. Each brings their own skills and bonuses to the party, and opens up new possibilities in the world of Farhaven. Talking to your party members and traveling with them will open character-specific quest opportunities that delve deeper into each party member’s personality and history.
Engage with a dynamic world– Meet over 40 NPCs, with dynamic behaviors and dialogues affected by your choices and actions. Some will fight alongside you, while others may have secrets to reveal.
Build your character– Choose from one of six different classes, each with unique skills, and tailor your attributes for your specific style of play. Will you be a stealthy thief? A hardy warrior? A strong-willed mage? The choice is yours.
Hone your skills– Gain experience to level up and learn new skills. With over 80 unique options to choose from, you can develop any combat style. Will you wield melee or ranged weapons? Strike down your opponents with the power of the elements, or attack from the shadows? Heal and defend with holy magic, or strike terror with the powers of necromancy?
Customize your gear– Buy equipment from shops, take it from fallen enemies, or discover it as you explore. With hundreds of items to choose from, you will always be able to choose the armor and weapons that best suit your character.
Test your might– As you explore, encounter over 70 different enemies—from bandits and wolves to giant spiders, golems, and dragons, you will never be lacking for foes to vanquish. Turn-based combat provides comfort for players of all skill levels, while positional audio puts you in the center of visceral, action-packed battles.
Build your legend– Whether you pursue the main story, or one of over two dozen side quests, you will be part of an epic narrative. And as you explore lands with a rich history, read lore in books and scrolls, and talk to the citizens of Farhaven, you’ll feel like yours is just part of a much larger story.
