This Is How To Play Video Games If You're Totally Blind (HBO)
This Is How To Play Video Games If You're Totally Blind (HBO)
Michael Espinoza has been blind since birth. And yet he’s been playing video games since he was at least six years old. Confused how those two facts might square up?
“Growing up,” he told VICE News, “there were things that I either couldn’t do, or was told I couldn’t do. Luckily, I’m really stubborn.”
Espinoza starting playing games on his cousins’ Sega Genesis. But then his parents bought him a Playstation for his seventh birthday, opening up an entirely new universe. “I was hooked,” he said.
He started with games like Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, and Grand Theft Auto before switching to fighting games like Street Fighter, Soulcalibur, and Mortal Kombat — his absolute favorite.
For one, fighting games negated the issue of navigation, so Espinoza could focus completely on memorizing a game’s sound design — how different moves sound depending on who is making them, or from what distance.
After years of practice, Espinoza describes learning a new game or character like learning a new instrument. At this point, he knows the theory, so to speak, so it doesn’t take him that long to dial into a character’s sonic universe.
These days, Espinoza regularly beats sighted players online, which holds particular meaning. “Beating a sighted person online when you’re blind is probably is one of the most gratifying feelings I have ever felt,” he said. “It makes me feel like my skill doesn’t have to be dependent on other people’s perceptions of what I can do.”
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Makes for a platinum example on why game developers should not skimp on sound sampling for games. Making every action unique to the ear has made this good man able to enjoy gaming. Realy good to see your positivity from a blind gamers prospective. Keep it up
He must have a lot of patience to be able to put so much time and effort into learning to play a new game.
Yo this dude is gormless
RESPECT
I’m essentially watching this because i am so lazy that I want to find a game which I can play my eyes closed.
But mortal combat? Ew..
Person has got tremendous hearing skill and how long it would have took this person to analyse the move attacks and memorize it is fantastic
Imagine losing to a blind person
He can beat you with his eyes closed.
Imagine losing in Mortal Kombat or Soul Calibur and this guy sends a message saying "I’m blind BTW"
Wait my brother is blind so i never tried to play video games with him. Now I am gonna try
I am really proud to be your Mom!
Would why wouldn’t science be able to help his eyes to regerate? If feel like it can be done.
This dude is impressive he could’ve been a legend with good vision
How can a blind men see this video
If I verse this man the only way I can beat him is muting the tv lol
It would be a lot funnier if this guy mained scorpion or sub zero lol
This is sad to me , such a sweet soul it makes me wonder why god picks the sweetest people to give the hardest struggles and he stays with a smile on his face he’s a real hero ❤️✊🏿
_Incredible, I’m glad disabilities doesn’t stop games from enjoying what they love._
Mark Douglas brought me here.
Me:(not blind & is looking away)*looks at opponent* suck it
Byw im losing
So it’s impressive but I don’t know how he would be able to play most other games
imagine going against him in a csgo match except he cured his blindness and grinded on his aim for another 10 years
A cyborg with extreme blindness
Imagine starting to lose against this absolute beast so you just press the mute button
Lucky, dude can play 24/7 without eye strain.
I can see and hear but you not being able to see and play games is amazing
True love right there from his wife.
I want to play with him
This is interesting but photos for the blind is cool: @BnPo
I’m Particularly Blind i like playing video games and watching anime and movies with my Boyfriend but I just need Glasses
WHAT!?!?!?!? 🤳🏽🤯 WOAH!!!! BAD A$$!!!
Have you ever concidered playing text adventures with voice-over?
Blind people good hearing, deaf people excellent visual awareness, blind and deaf person. Amazing touching skills
Man, I wish there was a way to treat everyone’s illnesses and disabilities. I hate when people can’t do something due to a handicap and I could never imagine being able to live with one they way some people do. Especially after having a "Normal" life before that. My girlfriend has neuropathy and cannot feel things with her hands and feet yet she still plays video games and writes all the time despite it being more difficult than it used to be. She also can’t have children which she always wanted. I would love to give her them and to fix her nerves so she can do things the way she used to.
One day through a miracle of science, I hope we can help everyone.
Hey @Vice News, not sure if you cover iOS device games for the blind, but if you do you might be interested in Swordy Quest. Am aiming to make it the most accessible game on the Apple App store (please delete if this post isn’t allowed): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/swordy-quest-an-rpg-adventure/id1446641513
All games will have shitty graphics to him
Next: Fortnite 😳
Michael, you’re one of the most amazing persons I’ve seen in my fairly long life. Congratulations!
Just for kicks, you should play someone with one hand tied behind your back 🙂
he could f me up
I am delivering food, and once my two blind customers (couple) asked me, if i could go inside their appartment, and put the food on their table. This is when i noticed the man gaming. And here i am now, because it really got me curious 😀
Yeah but.. how were they suppose to see this video xD
"Suck it people who can’t do that" is now my favorite brag line!
The combo memorization for him is on another level this is insane man 🤘🏽🖤
Netherrealm actually posted an article on their website about this guy. He is really good at Injustice too.
If your about to lose just start talking loudly
Imagine knowing u just killed by a blind person
the blind gamers are the true pro gamers
This is an awesome example of overcoming adversity rock on man
0:59 "Luck of the draw?" You mean "burden of the draw?" I feel for you brother; I’m sorry.
I’ve recently watched a few deaf and blind people playing video games omg it’s amazing