Patch 4.3: New color-blind accessibility mode
by Matthew Rossi 
Sep 29th 2011 at 2:30PM
Not a lot of games, MMO or otherwise, work this hard to make accessibility improvements for conditions like color blindness. It's nice to see WoW implementing something like this.
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Review the official patch notes, and then dig into what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Khoonda Sep 29th 2011 2:35PM
This right here is why Blizz is Dominating the MMO market. say what you will but at the end of the day Blizz does more for their fans then most companies.
(cutaia) Sep 29th 2011 2:37PM
*considers setting it to the red and blue version and playing with old-school 3D glasses on...while drunk or something...*
ElrithCC Sep 29th 2011 2:41PM
NIvidia has some old red blue 3d stereo drivers you know that will make any game 3d with those glasses.
Hollow Leviathan Sep 29th 2011 2:44PM
Isn't...isn't that how everyone does it?
I mean if you don't than I don't.
(cutaia) Sep 29th 2011 2:53PM
"NIvidia has some old red blue 3d stereo drivers you know that will make any game 3d with those glasses."
Who wants actual 3D when you can have messed-up-wrong-D.
Silversol Sep 29th 2011 2:55PM
"NIvidia has some old red blue 3d stereo drivers you know that will make any game 3d with those glasses."
Nonono, The glasses he's referring to are made of cardboard (usually) one eye with red film, the other with blue. And while drunk with that color mode.
Phil Sep 29th 2011 2:38PM
That is pretty awesome!
Bellajtok Sep 29th 2011 2:41PM
I'm sure I won't be the first or last to say this, but this is why WoW is doing so well and is definitely not dying any time soon. They reach out to more people than anyone else, whether they be physically limited or using a different operating system.
And of course I'm equally sure people will QQ about how there are better uses for developer time and where's their new character model instead? To them, I would like to say "sit down and shut up. The people who this helps needed it much more then you needed your extra polygon."
kingoomieiii Sep 29th 2011 2:44PM
I HAD PLANS for that extra polygon, man. I was gonna make my giant troll-nose even curvier, to make sure it wrecks as many cool helm as possible.
Don't take that away from me.
Kondin Sep 29th 2011 5:16PM
As someone with two colorblind tanks in their guild, I think they'd both agree they'd rather have wyverns that don't look dumb.
Michael Sep 29th 2011 2:45PM
Not only is this beyond awesome for Color-Blind players, but for those players who want a little more theatricality in their gaming or role-playing can switch to different color formats for Noir Black and White or other interesting color tones.
You would have to admit, playing the Worgen starting zone in Black and White would surely evoke a sense of old horror films.
Erzfiend Sep 29th 2011 2:46PM
It really makes me happy that Blizz will actually do stuff like this for its players. I applaud them for going above and beyond what they need to do to make sure anyone can enjoy this game, and that goes beyond making content more accessible. Well done Blizz. /salute
Rhüarc Sep 29th 2011 2:46PM
Dear Blizz:
Huzzah! I can't tell you how many times in raids I've had a raid leader place markers and call out positions by marker color (Red, Blue, Purple, etc.) and I've had to pipe up over vent and say "Yeah, but what SHAPE am I on?" Being colorblind, while normally something I can compensate for, was a real hindrance to me when it came to raiding. I greatly appreciate the implementation of colorblind mode.
Sincerely,
All of Us Colorblind Raiders in the game
Enclosures: More of my hard earned money
brad.joseph81 Sep 29th 2011 3:20PM
Damn straight! it seems like every video game puzzle structure ever is always red, green, yellow based. I CANT DO THOSE! I have to emply the help of a "normy" to get the job done.
The Dewd Sep 29th 2011 3:37PM
Our #1 healer is completely colorblind. He can tell shades but everything is, to him, either white, black, or grey. (Or, when he's feeling snarky, lightish-black and darkish-white.)
I'll be interested to hear what he thinks of this.
Angus Sep 29th 2011 3:42PM
Pot it note on side of monitor:
Skull is white
Diamond = sideways square= purple
Circle = nipple= condom= sap marker = orange
Square = frost trap= blue
Upside down triangles = panties= hex = green
I think everyone needs the sort of lists.
Muse Sep 29th 2011 7:41PM
You forgot cookie for circle.
Nathanyel Sep 29th 2011 2:46PM
I was not aware there were so many different types of "colorblindness"...
I'm a little fuzzy on how these modes benefit affected people, does it only pronounce contrasts between different colors, or does it "fix" the colors, so that they appear like the normal eye perceives them? Wouldn't it be weird to see "normal" colors in the game, but not outside of it?
I hope this does not come off as trolling, but while I know a bit or two about shortsightedness (guess why) I'm just not really informed on this topic.
Nathanyel Sep 29th 2011 2:50PM
Nevermind, somehow I did not really read Kaels' post with enough concentration the first time...
CamarisKT Sep 29th 2011 5:49PM
No worries. It's very hard to explain what colorblindness actually looks like, because obviously, I can't know what non-colorblindness looks like.
I can tell you what it feels like though.. it doesn't feel like I'm really not seeing colors. It's more like, somewhere along the line, my brain can't decide if something is classified under "red" or "green". Now, I realise these are complimentary colors, and very different from eachother for other people...
Bright red and bright green aren't usually problematic. But any sort of in between color is confusing. Orange and green are practically the same to me, I wouldn't notice a greenish grey among neutral greys, and purple shades are very confusing too.
Nearly always, none of this is a problem. It only becomes a problem when the color specifically carries information (real world case: the three colors on sound cards, all vaguely yellowish/greenish/pink) that cannot be divined via other means such as position or shape. Or when someone asks "what color is this?". Or sometimes with painting/drawing/picking clothes.