Michael.
Copyright issues aside, the conversion of a mainstream product is very
difficult at best.
You're assuming someone out there will have the free time to convert such a
game into a format of your choosing. You're also assuming that this is easy.
It isn't.
Video game companies have entire teams and departments dedicated to the
development of any one product. Programmers who design games for the blind
have, at best, maybe two or three cooperatives.
Video game companies have a large budget, with which they may hire
additional programmers, obtain media/resources, etc. The sounds and vocal
acting for these games aren't free, you know.
All that, along with a slew of other factors that I've elected not to
mention (for brevity's sake), makes the prospect of converting a mainstream
game into an audio-only format pretty daunting.
Also remember that, while an emulator may be free, and freely available, and
furthermore legal, the possession of the roms or digital game images without
actually having the original is a violation. Usage of material specific to
such a game is also a breach of copyright, so that means anyone developing
an accessible version of Mortal Kombat couldn't use anything from the
original game. In essence, then, it would no longer even be Mortal Kombat.
You can always learn character layouts, especially in mortal kombat. Mortal
kombat's character screen always speaks the name of the character you're
selecting. If you're hell-bent on playing these games, invest the time in
learning the character screen by selecting one character, returning to the
character screen, selecting another, then repeating the process. Remember
where each character is, and that's one les thing to worry about.
In fact, the character screen will be the least of your worries. Once you
start playing the game, you've got to know where the opponent is, whether
he/she is jumping or not, crouching, blocking, stepping towards you, walking
away... most of these things are not conveyed by sound (particularly not in
the older Mortal Kombat games).
I'll echo the sentiments of other respondents: Use the resources that are
available.
www.gamefaqs.com
www.gamewinners.com
I use both of those sites fairly frequently when I have a mind to play games
intended for the sighted. Remember, the rest of us are blind, too, and we've
learned that these techniques may or may not make a game playable. No
disparagement intended, and I hope none will be implied, but effort and
success go hand in hand. When I started messing around with my Playstation,
I had to learn screens and such, remember character placements, moves, etc.
While it's true I did have some sighted assistance, such was not always the
case. If you'd like a rough explanation of how to make Mortal Kombat or
other games in the same vain work for you, I'm sure some few of us would be
glad to help.
Kai
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