“Sugoi!” Thank you for an amazing reception in Japan
Thursday, August 28th, 2025
Image above: Queues form to try out our EyeMine demos
Osaka, Japan: We were blown away by the positive reaction to our innovative EyeMine eye-gaze software at the World Expo 2025 in July.
It was a privilege to spend several days highlighting EyeMine, our gaze-controlled interface to Minecraft, at the Osaka-based Expo thanks to a collaboration with the National Videogame Museum (NVM). We were overwhelmed by the large number of visitors keen to find out more about our work, and there were often queues to try EyeMine.
The NVM’s showcase – titled Videogames Transforming Lives – attracted nearly 12,000 visitors, with a record-breaking 4000 visitors over the opening weekend. The SpecialEffect exhibit was immensely popular, and the organisers quickly and provided extra staff to help us facilitate over 200 successful demos of EyeMine every day. A reprint of our information leaflets was necessary after only two days.
“We were delighted to have such a prestigious global platform on which to demonstrate how accessibility in games can engender inclusion, creativity and enjoyment,” said Dr Mick Donegan, SpecialEffect’s Founder and CEO. “We hope that by giving visitors to the Expo the opportunity to try this example of ground-breaking inclusive technology themselves, they have gained an insight into how people across the globe can now enjoy gaming to the best of their ability.”
Image above: Two of our occupational therapists, Michael and Nomi, at the exhibition along with our Founder and CEO Dr Mick.
The Videogames Transforming Lives exhibit featured a selection of curated games through which the NVM demonstrated the creativity in the UK’s gaming industry, including titles such as PowerWash Simulator, Sackboy and Monument Valley.
Our thanks go to the National Videogame Museum for the opportunity to attend and participate in the World Expo 2025.