AccessibilityTestingUpdated Jul 30, 2026
Mirebound
Almost every game assumes you can see the screen. Blind and low-vision players are left with menus they cannot read, worlds they cannot move through, and stories they cannot share.
Why this matters
Play is not a small thing. Being shut out of games means being shut out of the stories, the humour, the shared conversation, and the confidence that comes with mastering a challenge on your own terms.
- Current idea
- Mirebound is an audio-first adventure game. The world is built entirely from sound: spatial cues tell you where paths open, ambient layers reveal rooms and weather, and characters speak with distinct voices and directions. You move with the keyboard or gamepad, interact with a single action button, and listen to understand where you are. The objective is to explore the town of Mirebound, complete small quests for its residents, and piece together what happened to the place through conversation and discovery. Because every clue is delivered as audio or text, the game can be played with eyes closed, with a screen reader, or with visuals on.
- Accessibility notes
- Mirebound is designed audio-first, not audio-only. Navigation is carried by spatial sound and clear audio landmarks. Every menu and dialogue is fully screen-reader friendly and operable by keyboard or gamepad. Visuals are optional, but when present they use high-contrast shapes and large text. All sound cues are paired with captions and optional text logs, so deaf and hard-of-hearing players are not dependent on hearing. There are no timed sequences that require fast reflexes, and difficulty is adjustable through audio cue density and navigation assists.
- What was learned
- Sound design is level design. When the audio is right, the map explains itself without a single instruction. The biggest design lesson so far is that players need a gentle on-ramp: a short, repeatable tutorial area where they can learn to turn, listen for openings, and trust their ears before the story begins.
Development updates
Progress in public
First playable build published for testing at mirebound.lovable.app. Start with headphones and the on-screen quick-start guide, or press H at any time for controls.
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