Guide Play revolutionizes the gaming landscape for the visually impaired with an unprecedented audio innovation. By harnessing the power of state-of-the-art AI and machine learning, our groundbreaking technology translates in-game elements into immersive spatial sounds, offering a pioneering and inclusive approach for visually impaired players to navigate and engage with their virtual worlds.

JBL is a pioneer in providing quality audio solutions, however when it comes to audio for gaming, the brand is fairly new to the market.

Our QUANTUM series (gaming headphones) is not widely known even though it offers revolutionary spatial audio and head tracking technology.

We were far behind our competitors when it came to being recognised for our superior audio tech among gamers. The challenge that was given to us was simple: make gamers take QUANTUM headphones seriously by building a strong emotional association to gaming while proving its functional superiority. The objective was to showcase QUANTUM's incredible technology and position the brand as an enabler of amazing experiences for all.

In a gaming landscape dominated by visually immersive experiences, there is a stark exclusion of visually impaired individuals, numbering over 50 million worldwide, from enjoying the most played games in the world. This situation highlights a significant gap in inclusivity, particularly within the first-person shooter genre, where none of the leading titles cater to the needs of the visually impaired. We saw an opportunity not only to address this issue but also to showcase the capabilities of JBL Quantum headsets, while making the brand famous to build a stronger association among the gaming community.

Guide Play's creative idea revolves around transforming the gaming experience for the visually impaired by introducing an innovative audio solution. Leveraging cutting-edge A.I and machine learning, the technology converts in-game elements into spatial sounds, providing a unique and accessible way for visually impaired individuals to perceive their virtual environment. The technological magic lies in emulating echolocation through JBL Quantum's advanced head tracking and Spatial Audio technology, enhancing awareness within the game for visually-impaired gamers. By translating visual cues into auditory signals, Guide Play not only addresses the challenge of exclusion but also elevates the overall gaming experience for the visually impaired. The creative concept prioritizes inclusivity and user empowerment, marking a pioneering stride in making the gaming world accessible to a broader audience, ultimately fostering a more diverse and enriched gaming community.

Guide Play took nearly two years - through collaboration with blind societies, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the visually impaired gaming community's needs while testing and learning along the way - to develop. The approach focused on using A.I and machine learning to convert visual elements into spatial sounds, enhancing accessibility. JBL Quantum's advanced head tracking and Spatial Audio technology played a pivotal role in emulating echolocation. The call to action was twofold: first, the successful initial launch for Counter Strike 2, involving over 1,000 gamers, served as a proof of concept. Second, Guide Play is set to be freely available for everyone, promoting widespread adoption and open-source integration, thereby urging the gaming industry to embrace inclusivity as a standard.

We launched Guide Play for over 1,000 gamers in selected countries. They were not only just able to play but also thrive within the game. Their feedback was used to perfect the software further. Guide Play is set to be freely available for everyone from March 2024 promoting widespread adoption and open-source integration with the vision of encouraging widespread adoption among companies and developers, facilitating innovation and accessibility enhancements within the gaming community. By embracing an open-source model, we unlock unparalleled scalability for the project. Originally designed to underscore the significance of audio in gaming and the necessity of quality products for an enjoyable experience, Guide Play transcends the confines of the headset debate; it harbours the potential to revolutionise the entire gaming landscape. Testimonials from numerous visually impaired gamers reaffirm the software's success and transformative impact.

In a gaming landscape dominated by visually immersive experiences, the background for Guide Play emerged from the stark exclusion of visually impaired individuals, numbering over 50 million worldwide, from enjoying the most played games in the world. Guide Play revolutionizes the gaming landscape for the visually impaired with an unprecedented audio innovation. By harnessing the power of state-of-the-art AI and machine learning, our groundbreaking technology translates in-game elements into immersive spatial sounds, offering a pioneering and inclusive approach for visually impaired players to navigate and engage with their virtual worlds.