Hi these are top tips - where the solutions are pretty quick. :-)
The below is actually from text help advice but works across most read write software.
1. Image-Based vs. Text-Based PDFs
The biggest culprit is usually that the PDF isn't actually "text"—it's a photograph of text.
Text-Based: These are created digitally (like saving a Word doc as a PDF). The computer knows exactly what a "T" is and where it sits on the page.
Image-Based: These are often created by scanners or photocopiers. To the computer, the page is just one big picture of ink. Without Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Read&Write sees pixels, not words.
2. The "Z-Pattern" and Reading Order
Sometimes the text is there, but Read&Write reads the sidebar before the main paragraph. This happens because of the underlying tagging.
Digital documents have a hidden layer that tells assistive technology, "Read this box first, then that column."
If a PDF is poorly formatted (common with multi-column academic papers or brochures), that hidden map is a mess, and the software just follows the "physical" coordinates it finds, which might be nonsensical.
PS the z pattern bit above isnt so much of a problem as with most readers you can identify the specific text you want to read.
3. Non-Standard Fonts
If a PDF uses a highly stylized or custom font, the software might struggle to map the character shapes to actual letters. Similarly, if the space between letters is too tight, the OCR might see "rn" and read it as "m," leading to those "m-words" you might hear during playback.
I think this been the main problem though i have encountered 'drawn' text that wont read
4. Security Restrictions
Some PDFs have "Owner Passwords" or security settings that specifically disable Content Accessibility. If the creator locked the file to prevent text copying, they often inadvertently block screen readers and literacy software from "seeing" the content at all.
Hi All, as my first experience of a jam - it is great and fantastic to see so much genorosity. Ive mentioned on one or two games about readability -Im dyslexic and use a read write programme for 90% of anything I read that involves rules etc. I've found quite a few great looking games that are unreadable using the programme I use and it feels such a shame. I know not everyone wants to think about this or it doesnt matter too much to them but I definatly think its worth bearing in mind accessibility when it comes to presenting a game - Its incredible what you can get away with and still be readable (by a reader programme) so I dont think it dents creativity. Anyway -. Ill shut up now, Rupert
Hi thanks for the comments - Ive only managed one play test so I suspect the numbers might need a bit of balancing. I wanted it to be really tough where to get through it players had to sacrifice important tools and charms, while making sure the players feel like they can succeed and don't get frustrated. (in the play test they all succeeded and escaped but empty handed with their stats down)
very colourful in more ways than one - I like the additional material to help with the tone and feel of the game. As mentioned below the font is a bit tricky (my read/write PDF reader seemed to think it was written in russian! - Im dyslexic so readable fonts (by me or my reader) really help. Layout was good though
Me again - apologies about the confusion earlier. I really like the idea - the failing over and over again but a bit less each time. Hope you finish and maybe break out from /expand havoc to suit it
Hi all, new to this but a bit confused, there have been two submissions well after the deadline - one was 10 hours ago? Is this usual? am I missing something? Rupert
Love the approach - the pity party was hilarious. (I have M.E and when I was first diagnosed it felt like I was besieged by people armed with alternative medicine solutions and pity :-)... Im really interested in playing with some friends (it wont be till after this jam but ill let you know how it goes.
