Indus Gets Accessibility Features With Support From Google’s AI-Powered Project Gameface

Project Gameface allows PC gamers to use their facial expressions and head movement to control in-game actions.

Written by Rahul Chettiyar, Edited by Manas Mitul | Updated: 30 June 2023 20:00 IST

Indus Gets Accessibility Features With Support From Google’s AI-Powered Project Gameface

Photo Credit: SuperGaming

A live demo of Indus running on Google's Project Gameface technology

Highlights

The open-source Project Gameface software reads inputs through a webcam
It is largely aimed at gamers facing motor or cognitive challenges
The technology is currently being developed for Indus’ PC version only

Pune-based developer SuperGaming has partnered with Google to add some accessibility features to its upcoming Indo-futuristic battle royale game, Indus. We've yet to see direct gameplay from the PC version, but the studio has confirmed that it has added custom support for Project Gameface, enabling further inclusivity that lets players control in-game actions using head movements and various facial expressions. The feature is largely aimed towards gamers suffering from cognitive or motor challenges and can be set up via a simple face scan through the Gameface app. SuperGaming recently showcased this technology at the Google I/O event in Bengaluru, letting attendees try it first-hand.

Project Gameface is an open-source hands-free technology that uses a standard webcam to scan and read your face, so you can map facial gestures to actions on a mouse and keyboard. Gesture sizes can also be adjusted so the software doesn't mistake any involuntary reflexes as an in-game action. In a sense, the technology will try and make use of any expressions that could pull off in-game actions, ranging from eyebrow movement, mouth movement, grins, or even head tilts that'd best be configured to move the camera around. It is worth noting that Google's tool is still in development, but from the short teaser SuperGaming released, we can gather that omnidirectional camera movement is present, albeit a bit laggy. Then again, it could just be an unoptimised, in-development PC version, which still hasn't received any gameplay trailers.

At SuperGaming we want everyone to play games and more importantly, have a ✨level and inclusive✨ playing field for all players🎮. With Indus, we've partnered with Google to do just that. A 🧵: |#IndusGame #MadeInIndia #accessibility pic.twitter.com/ufWmAlvQq1
— Indus Game (@IndusGame) June 28, 2023

Earlier this month, Bandai Namco Entertainment — best known for publishing Elden Ring and Dark Souls — invested in SuperGaming to build out its ‘IP metaverse.' The developer is currently working on its battle-royale shooter Indus, which is set on a floating island called Virlok. In it, you play as the Mythwalker, a hired gun working for the COVEN, on the prowl for the rare mineral Cosmium, which can alter space and time. As seen with other BRs, players are dropped onto the map to scavenge for supplies, survive, and kill anyone who stands in their way to emerge as the last man standing. At a certain interval, however, the Cosmium will spawn at a random spot on the map, which upon collection, grants the player victory, regardless of whoever's alive in the game.

Indus can be played in both first and third-person modes, with the latter briefly switching to FPS when aiming down sights — rather than simply tightening the hip-fire reticle. The game features uniquely designed operators to choose from, but special, tailored abilities will only be added post-launch. As a mobile game, it will be free-to-play from launch day and feature monetisation methods similar to other titles in the category, where one could purchase cosmetics and other in-game items from the store — no pay-to-win mechanics confirmed yet.

Pre-registration for Indus is now live on the Google Play Store. Further details on the PC and console versions are expected in the future.

What are the most exciting titles that gamers can look forward to in 2023? We discuss some of our favourites on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Further reading: indus, indus battle royale, google, project gameface, accessibility features, google accessibility, ai powered gaming, supergaming, pc, android