“Harmonium: The Musical” Introduces Harmonium Sign Language to Promote Inclusion in Gaming
The National Geographic Society estimates that there are over 300 variants of sign language around the world. The Odd Gentlemen is contributing to this diversity by introducing Harmonium Sign Language (HSL) in its upcoming game, “Harmonium: The Musical.” In the game, protagonist Melody and the player learn HSL as Melody explores the fantastical world of Harmonium and prepares for her first major performance. HSL is integral to the game’s puzzles, challenging players to learn and use the new language to advance through the story, regardless of their familiarity with any existing sign language. The game’s creators, Matt Korba and Matt Daigle, set out to create an accessible and engaging experience that reflected the communication challenges faced by deaf people, incorporating real-life inspiration and innovative puzzle design.
Matt Daigle, a deaf creator, expressed frustration with the common misconception that American Sign Language (ASL) is the only sign language. His experience of communication difficulties with deaf animator Soren Bro Sparre, who uses Danish Sign Language, led to the creation of HSL, which combines familiar and new gestures. Players will learn HSL from a character named Harper and use it to solve puzzles reminiscent of escape rooms, interpreting visual clues and analyzing their surroundings. The game also draws inspiration from Daigle’s travels to France, where nonverbal communication played a key role. The Daigles hope that HSL will encourage players to embrace digital language learning, providing an inclusive gaming experience that bridges the gap between deaf and hearing players.
Fountain: Rant about the game
ChatGPT, a potential tool for increased accessibility, was used to aid in the research and writing of this blog post. Do you think this is an appropriate use of chatGPT? Why or why not? Let me know!
