Visually impaired gamer sues Sony Online

Refusal to implement or facilitate changes to make online games more accessible violates Americans with Disabilities Act, suit claims.

It's not uncommon for blind gamers to feel invisible in addition to visually impaired. For instance, when gamer Brandon Cole wrote THQ a letter suggesting changes to make its Smackdown series of WWE wrestling games more accessible to the blind, he received a form letter back thanking him for his appreciation of the game's graphics.

It doesn't help the visually impaired that some of EverQuest II's characters are actually invisible.

But now, one visually impaired gamer has gone beyond simply requesting accessibility features and is demanding them by way of a lawsuit. Last month, disabled gamer Alexander Stern filed suit against Sony, Sony Online Entertainment, and Sony Computer Entertainment America in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The suit alleges that Sony is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to implement features to make its games accessible to visually impaired gamers.

The Americans with Disabilities Act states that, "No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation."

According to the suit, Sony ignored repeated requests through postal mail and e-mail to come up with reasonable modifications to its games to make them more accessible. The suit, which doesn't mention SOE games by name but appears to focus on massively multiplayer online titles, requests the addition of visual cues to point gamers to their destinations for gamers with "disability impaired visual processing."

The suit also specifies the ways in which other companies have made their games accessible. For instance, Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft allows the use of third-party mods in its game, which has led to the creation of several programs to include accessibility aids in the game. The suit also mentions Pin Interactive's action adventure PC game Terraformers, saying high-contrast 3D graphics modes, an audio compass, and voice-over detailing items collected in the game all serve to make the game more accessible.

Beyond the denial of entertainment, the suit also contends that Sony's actions have caused visually impaired gamers a financial loss. Because Sony runs an official auction site where gamers can sell their in-game items for real money, the suit says Stern's inability to participate in that marketplace is costing him money.

"Sony has constructed the products in a way that is inaccessible to plaintiff; maintains the products in this inaccessible form; and has failed to take any action whatsoever to correct these barriers even after being repeatedly notified of the discrimination that such barriers cause," according to the suit.

Representatives with Sony and Sony Online Entertainment said they don't comment on pending litigation.

1242 Comments

  • thedemon44

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 11:14 am PT

    Erm... good luck? I think?

  • Muteki_X

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 5:53 am PT

    @Crabs4sale

    LOL. Awesome point. I completely agree with you on that one!

    Battletoads rocks!

  • Crabs4sale

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 7:04 pm PT

    @muteki_X
    I LIEK CHOCOLATE MILK

  • Jynxy425

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 12:18 pm PT

    Find a new hobby, try listening to music.

  • playstation_dad

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 11:12 am PT

    what abouts if i have no hands in 2 years, they best start thinking of games that channel into my thoughts and no what i want to do.
    Im all for equal rights but this is clearly just to make money. Does he want a voice telling him everything in the game, Imagine being online in cod..... "STEP FORWARD, OOPS YOU HAVE BEEN SHOT, YOU HAVE RESPAWNED, OOPS YOU HAVE BEEN SHOT, YOU HAVE RESPAWNED........." Im all for making it fair but sometimes it cant be done...

  • fozzyfozborne

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 10:47 am PT

    Waah I can't participate on eBay and it's costing me money!!! WAAH let's sue eBay for my impairment..

  • necronaux

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 10:02 am PT

    And what about the people that are too stupid to play? Make games that play themselves or they'll sue?

  • iBuSHiDo

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 9:41 am PT

    Actually, I'm in the middle of putting together a lawsuit against Tom Savini for his work on the original Dawn of the Dead. I really love movies that involve zombies and shopping malls, but all that gore makes me throw up cuz I don't have a strong stomach. All that acid from the vomit burns my throat and is ruining my chances of starting a singing career which could potentially earn me millions. I think they're discriminating against people with weak stomachs and I'm going to demand that they remake the entire movie, but maybe instead of impaling and dismembering zombies they could just make fun of their bad skin and messy hair and shame them into leaving the mall.

  • iBuSHiDo

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 9:28 am PT

    They are called VIDEO games. Without the video part, what exactly are you doing? Would you consider it some kind of interactive audio adventure? Then maybe instead of suing Sony, you could just get a lot of other people in your situation to try to get some type of company to make interactive audio adventures.

    It's one thing for a blind person to complain that they couldn't find the bathroom at the mall because there was no sign with braille in front of it. I'm pretty sure blind people have bladders. It's another thing for a blind person to demand that something blind people CAN'T do be changed so they can pretend they're doing it too.

  • bibbo

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 9:23 am PT

    I'm sorry the guy's blind, but you can't be everything to everybody

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 7:59 am PT

    only in america

  • MajorGamer531

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 7:42 am PT

    His complaints are about wwe smackdown, and he is suing Sony and Sony Online entertainment. PURE GREED case. "Pretend to be upset about this game and instead of talking to the game company, lets attack Sony!" This case is pure greed. It is ludicrous as pointed out by many. The kid and his family should pay damages for wasting the court's, Sony's, and concerned gamers' time.

  • phillipdudeman

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 7:40 am PT

    maybe he should sue the car companies because they didnt accommodate him

  • Xaviersx

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 3:38 am PT

    There is a business opportunity to tailor games to accommodate an audience that has a level of visual impairment - e.g. larger text, audio cues, high contrast modes depending on the game (but does that mean the same game tweaked-edition sold to that audience with the costs of development solely on them or spread out to the whole consumer base?) A hard sell to those not impaired.

    As for other industries, were approaching the age where some of the visual tasks of per say driving can be taken over by the car, planes already auto pilot most of the trip and some the take off/landings, so maybe one day a visually impaired/blind person could 'drive' to locations minus a chauffeur and be behind the wheel because of addressing a need/want in the design process - even if not intended for that purpose.

    Lawsuits can be inane and purely a money grab. There are countries where if you file a suit and lose, you pay the court/defendant costs. It's to discourage frivolous suits, and I'd add on that the lawyers should pay too to discourage ambulance chasers. Of course, we'd have to speak up and do something to get the laws balanced, and since we keep electing businessmen to political offices, the law doesn't change much.

  • Briareos43

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 1:27 am PT

    America we are getting Sue crazy.

  • Chizaqui

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 12:10 am PT

    Well, in the case of a "visually impaired" whiner, my suggestion is to get a new pair of glasses. To reiterate, those with "special" needs should only be catered to if it doesn't hinder the product (or company providing the product.) Retailer responsibility only goes so far, sometimes it is up to the consumer to decide how best to use that product given his/her circumstances. I can't keep a beat for the life of me, but that doesn't mean I can or should sue makers of music related games. No, instead I adapt. Pitiful when someone's idea of adaptation is to hire a suit to argue a moot point in a court room.

  • Epicurus-Reborn

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 11:02 pm PT

    "the suit says Stern's inability to participate in that marketplace is costing him money. "
    are you kidding me?? this is some of the biggest BS ive heard in a while. If sony loses it could mean very bad news for the gaming industry.

  • Racebannon_

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 8:20 pm PT

    "Visually Impaired" does not equal "blind."

    To the person with below par vision: power to you on this suit.

    To the blind people: it's called a *VIDEO* game.

  • btstlouis

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 5:08 pm PT

    This is a joke, right?

  • Exactlamento

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 11:38 am PT

    this is like someone without legs sueing because reebok doesn't make shoes specially tailored to their particularly shaped stub. yeah it sucks being disabled, but you can't demand anything if you just are not able to do a certain activity. Can't see, don't play video games which require sight. Jesus ppl, common sense!

  • Lajeaune

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 6:50 am PT

    He didnt say he was blind but vision impaired. you can be legally blind and still see some., A lot of you guys comments were very harsh. I am disabled and that word cripple really grates against my teeth . But while I don't whine about it, i also want to kick ass of able bodied ppl parking in my handicap spaces because they are filthy fat. I have notice this past two yrs a lot of under 30 women *cough* parking in handicap with their other family members car..and being so fat their jeans are about to friggin split..i so want to say to them..get a grip on the fat before you are permantly physically disabled as well as mentally...sore spot with me sorry lol.
    my hands are in pain 24/7 but manage to play hour or so of wow a day. If it hurts, I log off and do something else...I dont expect wow ppl to design a special mouse for me..and that is kind of what I think this person is getting at or just wants free money off the tax payers backs cause that is who sony will get it from raising its products prices

  • Lajeaune

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 6:44 am PT

    Actually I found them pretty accomadating in swg for disabled persons..most of us have disability of our hands that the key movements were very difficult if not impossible so they changed a lot of things at that time to mouse able movements. I would think 3rd party adds should of been implemented since wow is killing their business already you would think they would pick up atleast some parts of their gaming build. On the other hand, this player who is visually impaired, has he tried any other sight devices like those page size magnifier attached to moniter..something i did use during groups combat.I mean i am disabled and do all that I can ..if i can't, I dont play but think sony should make some attempt as there are many ppl who have vision problems..its not just this one poor fellow. We probably will never know the particulars unless sony does the very unexpected and fights it to the end in court. it is usually cheaper to pay and cut their losses

  • marcob_07

    Posted Nov 15, 2009 2:02 am PT

    We forgot about movie theatres, television industry and so....

  • DifferenceEngin

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 11:54 pm PT

    Hey, Shinob3. shut up.

  • RainbowStalin

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 10:23 pm PT

    Next thing you know, the crippled will sue Nike for uncomfortable shoes.

  • jeffv541

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 10:03 pm PT

    Hes prolly gonna sue Microsoft for making natal too, when he runs into the television because he can't see it. We should all stop being so insensitive about this serious matter.

  • Stressthesky

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 4:25 pm PT

    How would this help him enjoy games? I'm picturing this guy playing Ninja Gaiden with voice-overs.
    "Go left, hit a-butGAME OVER!"
    "Crouch here, move forwGAME OVER!"

  • RagingSilk

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 4:14 pm PT

    Looooooserrrrr

  • speeddemon_14

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 3:58 pm PT

    Next thing you know someone's gonna sue GM for not making vehicles specially modified to be driven by the blind. Sorry buddy, this goes on my list of stupid lawsuits.

  • sammo1b777

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 4:12 am PT

    what the HECK!!!! they already have seeing eye dogs.. next they will sue their dogs for not being able to help them play video games.. this is BS... people try to sue everyone over bullcrap.. no one wants to earn a buck, they just want to take from everyone..

  • Br0th4d4rkn3SS

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 12:37 am PT

    lol @killerwaffles

  • MuddVader

    Posted Nov 14, 2009 12:10 am PT

    this is utter BS. I'm sorry that this kid cant enjoy games as much as us with good eye sight but its completely ludicrous to expect them to make a seperate modified version of every game released specificaly for the visualy impaired.
    Gamings not for you if you cant see, dont kill the industry with your selfishness.

  • Chizaqui

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 11:16 pm PT

    I wonder if a deaf kid ever sued a record label because he couldn't hear the music. I mean, did anyone even try to explain to this "half a hellen keller" that the key word in the phrase "video game" would be the one that relates to an activity you do the majority of with your eyes? I hope the judge rules in Sony's favor, and decides to throw this kid in a straight jacket for an undisclosed amount of time in Gitmo. If you want a video game to adhere for the blind, give em an audio book and a remote control, it should have the same effect. Idiot.

  • TrueProphecy22

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 11:15 pm PT

    "...filed suit against Sony, Sony Online Entertainment, and Sony Computer Entertainment America in the United States District Court for the Central District of California."

    That says it all.

  • killerwaffles

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 9:34 pm PT

    Man, Daredevil never sued anyone because he couldn't see. He went out and fought ninjas. So my advice to this guy is, stop being lame and go out and fight some ninjas like a good blind man.

  • RedMageNeko

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:55 pm PT

    ... And it is because of things like this that the gaming industry is taking such a hit lately. Realistically, what can be done? Not a whole lot. One thing mentioned was "a voice-over detailing items collected in game". Voice overs cost a lot of time and money. Doing them for a game with a LOT of items, such as an MMO, is incredibly cost prohibitive.

    Frankly, if your blind, no amount of audio cues will help you much in a video game. Sad fact is, you need SOME visual ability to play most any game I know of. And for those NEAR blind, but with some visual ability ... I honestly can't think of much to help you.

    Sorry folks, but I can't imagine much of anything that could be done to help blind gamers. But SUEING the game companies over it is not only foolish, its insulting.

  • ZeroXraven

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 7:47 pm PT

    Come on guys, the guy is only sueing because he wants lasik surgery done to his eyes and the only way to afford it and play games as well is to make moolah by sueing large companies...if I was Sony I would just give the guy the money to fix his eyes or improve it...then it would all be over

  • Mike4842003

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:27 pm PT

    LOL what's that like 10 times Sony has been sued in the last few years? That says it all right there about the decline of Sony as a whole in the gaming industry

  • IAmDazzle

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 1:43 pm PT

    I just don't see how it is Sony's fault that they aren't making VIDEO games accessible to the blind. They can't see. Half of gaming is being able to see, and then coordinate that with control. I am not trying to be insensitive, just realistic. All anyone does anymore is just sue the crap out of major corporations. It all goes back to that lady who sued McDonalds because she spilled her hot coffee on herself.

  • Jorlen

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 1:19 pm PT

    Only the lawyers are going to profit from this one...

  • Nagirdnul

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 9:58 am PT

    This is fairly ridiculous. It's wonderful that some companies take the time to develop aids for the visually impaired but it shouldn't be a necessity. It would be like writing and self-publishing a book and then being told that you cannot sell it any longer because you haven't released an audio book too. When viewed in the context of what this is, entertainment media, not a vital service, you can see how ridiculous suing game makers for this is. It's just another example of how we North Americans (I'm in Canada) will sue over just about anything.

  • sonicare

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 9:56 am PT

    I think it's sad that he cant see. Blindness is a horrible thing. But unfortunately, video games center around visual features. I just dont see how companies can make them more accessible to the blind.

  • Shinob3 posted Nov 13, 2009 9:46 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Shinob3

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 9:46 am PT (hide)

    I am absolutely appalled and disguised with some of these responses. Please THINK before you respond. Just because it doesn't apply to yourself at this given moment, it doesn't mean it won't happen to you or your love ones.

    I really hope you don't go blind, deaf, or disabled one random day because karma is a bloody f***ing b*tch.

  • Cloud737

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:29 am PT

    @ Pink_Troglodyte
    It's true entertainment isn't a right, and that's why I think Sony and other game companies aren't liable.
    If society were to base it's rules and practices, especially the ones relating to non-vital parts, based on the lowest denominator (in this case, huge letters everywhere, voice over for any text including copyright, legal notices, menu, etc), just so everyone's happy, you might find the common people being irked, at the very least.

    However, I'm a bit intrigued about the "place of public accommodation" part. I don't think this is meant to refer to public space, as the law mentions "any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates" such a place, which leads me to think it was referring to private property open to the public.
    Games could be considered something like this, I think. Anything that isn't closed doors only (e.g.: private clubs) could be included.

    I would be happy to see accommodations for our disabled friends, but I don't think companies should be forced to include them, as they're not selling something vital for day to day life. More than anything, I think the effort and attention should be placed on finding "cures" for disabilities (regeneration of nerves, neurons, eye tissue, etc), so we can all enjoy life to it's fullest.

  • routerguy666

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:21 am PT

    Ridiculous. Sony's a business and businesses exist to make money. If this guy and his legal team can't show that Sony will turn a profit on whatever investment it takes on their part to develop the modifications which meet his requests then the court should dismiss the suit.

    Nothing more than a money grab and abusive interpretation of the ADA.

  • FabioPizzini

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 8:12 am PT

    C'mon i hope that sony don't waste too much time in theese stories ...

  • Muteki_X

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:39 am PT

    @Crabs4sale

    Quote: "You DO realize that stop lights are ALWAYS arranged in the same order and the colors are clearly defined to a color blind person, don't you?"

    Whether it was legal or not, it still happened. Therefore, they aren't ALWAYS like that. Rape is illegal, but that doesn't mean that every vulnerable girl can walk around a strange area by herself at 1:00 in the morning and ALWAYS be safe. Turning without signaling is illegal, but that doesn't mean that everyone does. I believe there was something that YOU wanted to say?

  • ledgerewskie

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 5:34 am PT

    @Rizzob:
    How does this ruin your fun, exactly?

  • Simple_malk

    Posted Nov 13, 2009 1:53 am PT

    I really can't believe how cruel people are and I'm not talking about Sony. We all like games a great deal I'm sure. If I went blind videogames would be one of the many things I'd miss greatly. Sony really shouldn't be held liable but it would be nice if they did something like descriptive video like they have with some movies and TV shows. This lawsuit is not something likely to get the boy money nor do I think that's his intent. I really believe he just wants to play a videogame and honestly I hope that someday he can.

  • Pink_Troglodyte

    Posted Nov 12, 2009 8:51 pm PT

    what the hell?

    since when did entertainment become a right? i didn't realize pursuit of happiness meant everyone is require to fulfill all of your desires. anyway, how could a private video game company's goods be considered "a place of public accommodation"?

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