Designing a Safe Auditory-Cued Archery Exertion Game for the Visually Impaired and Sighted to Enjoy Together

Most competitive exertion games are highly reliant on visual cues, presenting a certain risk for visually impaired players. These individuals not only need to exert more effort and courage to participate in these games but also face a higher risk of injury. Additionally, during competition with sighted players, concerns about injuries may prevent both parties from fully enjoying the game, diminishing the fun for everyone involved. Although many sports games have been adapted for visually impaired players, these games often fail to engage sighted individuals or might be perceived as dull by them. This study introduces an archery exertion game called “Hearing the Bullseye", designed to provide a harmonious gaming environment for visually impaired players and their sighted family and friends. Utilizing bows equipped with infrared sensors, the game enables players to locate the invisible target through sound rather than sight. Our empirical research, involving 18 visually impaired and sighted participants, indicates that visually impaired players can quickly and safely master the game, ensuring a pleasant and friendly experience for all players.