As part of the inspiring Games for Change 2025 Istanbul event, hosted wonderfully by Bahçeşehir University, one of the standout sessions came from Şeyma Nur Tahmaz, instructor in the Digital Game Design Department. Her presentation, titled “The Same Walls, Different Worlds: Urban & Virtual Accessibility,” was featured within the special theme of Critical and Practical Perspectives in Impact Game Design, one of the key focus areas of this year’s gathering.

In her speech, Tahmaz explored the evolution of accessibility in urban environments, tracing its historical development, legal frameworks, and the challenges surrounding the implementation of accessibility standards in everyday life. She then connected these developments to the world of video games, illustrating how accessibility practices have been adopted, and in some cases overlooked, throughout the years in the gaming industry.

Şeyma Nur Tahmaz also discussed the diverse forms of accessibility features that support players with different needs. From visual accessibility tools such as colorblind modes and readable UI design, to audio accessibility elements like subtitles, sound cues, and adjustable audio layers, her talk emphasized the importance of designing games that welcome every type of player.

Her presentation highlighted how both urban spaces and digital worlds present similar barriers, but also similar opportunities, for inclusion, inspiring attendees to rethink how games can better incorporate accessibility as a core design principle.

By bringing together historical context, practical design considerations, and critical reflection, Tahmaz’s contribution became a meaningful part of Games for Change 2025 Istanbul, reinforcing the event’s mission of promoting impactful and socially conscious game design.