SoundTown delivers an accessible casual music game tailored for children and young people with complex physical and cognitive needs. Players access six minigames straight from the main menu using just one or two buttons or switches-one to navigate and another to select or play. Built in Unity with Wwise audio, it works seamlessly with single input devices like switches, foot pedals, or the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
This free-to-play action title emerged from PhD research and consultations with schools and charities focused on accessible play. Young players with limited mobility dive into simple, one-button interactions across the minigames. It prioritizes ease for kids facing physical and cognitive challenges.
An accessible one-button music game for children with complex needs.
Born out of my PhD research at the Glasgow School of Art, SoundTown is a game designed for - and with - children and young people with complex physical and cognitive needs.
The initial brief for SoundTown was developed through consultations with several appropriate organisations, including schools and charities with knowledge of accessible play. Built in the Unity game engine and powered by the Wwise audio engine, SoundTown consists of six minigames that are accessed directly through the Main Menu.
Players interact with SoundTown using a maximum of two buttons or switches. One button navigates the menus, whilst the other is used to select a minigame or play. Thus, SoundTown is explicitly accessible to players only capable of interaction with a single input device such as a switch, foot pedal, or the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
SoundTown is completely free to play and always will be. A huge thank you to:
- Menphys
- Birkett House School
- Kinnaird Primary School
- Hazelwood School
Created by Alexander Horowitz, with artwork by Carol Studzinski, and voiceover by Susannah Horowitz.
