‘JI EUM’ Is a Rhythm-Based Action-RPG for the Visually Impaired

Realizing that blind people — as well as the visually impaired — were rapidly being left out of the mobile gaming movement, despite they fact they usually owned smart phones too, was something the Korean team at Danuon Corp. wanted to rectify. Their response to this was Ji Eum, a story based on a traditional Korean folktale about people — lamenting the departure of their God — whom searched for the instruments of light needed for his return. Ji Eum was set up as a Rhythm-Based Action-RPG — where players didn’t need to see any icons (since all functions were controlled either via rhythmic tapping, or gesture based swipes) — and everything the player needed to know could be discerned form the audio.

The chief problem against bringing their app to the world — however — was that such a game would need extensive localization, with a specific focus on spoken narration (since Danuon wished for everyone, including the visually impaired, to enjoy Ji Eum equally). Thus it was — for the above stated reasons — that they approached Kickstarter’s community with a humble request for $1,000, which — with twelve days still remaining — has already been met in full. Thus is looks like Danuon Corp.’s dream of bringing a Rhythm-Based Action-RPG — accessible by anyone, whether or not they’re capable of seeing — will soon be realized, and yet there’s still time to help out if you’d like to donate also.

Currently a pledge of just $13 is all that’s needed for your name to be listed within Ji Eum’s credits, although those whom donate even more can additionally receive the game’s official arm band (which will also feature the app’s name written out in Braille). You must — however — be sure that your donations are properly chipped in before December 22nd rolls around, for that’s when Danuon must embark on their mission to recover the various divine instruments of light. Finally, for those still undecided, I would like to additionally point out that Ji Eum’s developers have promised to donate a portion of their proceeds to charity (specifically: $1,000 for every 100,000 copies installed).