The Evolution of Video Game Accessibility

In recent years, video game accessibility has emerged as a growing priority for entertainment companies. Game developers increasingly recognize the importance of making video games more accessible to players with disabilities. This shift has been driven in part by broader awareness of digital accessibility standards, as well as the business benefits of offering more immersive, enjoyable experiences to a diverse audience.

In this article, we cover the evolving perceptions of video game accessibility, examples of best practices, and simple tips for game developers to create more inclusive experiences.

Video games for people with disabilities: changing perceptions

Historically, many game developers have been hesitant to address digital accessibility, fearing doing so might increase costs and limit creativity. However, that perception is rapidly changing. Designing inclusive video games for people with disabilities is now widely regarded as an industry best practice, demonstrating that developers value every player’s needs and preferences.

More than a form of entertainment, video games today are a valuable medium for social connection and education. Accessible video games enable all users to enjoy equitably immersive experiences. This is particularly important given that games can have specific benefits for people with disabilities. For instance, they can help children with cognitive disabilities improve problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. Multiplayer games may also allow individuals with disabilities to form social connections that may be difficult to establish in other contexts.

Making games accessible to people with disabilities isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good business. Accessible games reach more players, allowing developers to tap into new audiences previously excluded from the gaming experience.

As more companies realize the advantages of inclusive game design, they’re investing in research and technology to make their games accessible from the ground up. For instance, many developers now conduct usability tests that involve players with different types of disabilities to ensure that new releases are inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.

Accessible video games for people with blindness

Developers now employ audio cues, vibration feedback, and other sensory methods to provide a rich gaming experience for players who rely on non-visual elements.

The award-winning game “The Last of Us Part II” offers a prime example of these practices in action, introducing groundbreaking accessibility features like detailed audio cues and extensive customization options. Players who are blind can navigate the game using directional sounds and audio prompts, allowing them to enjoy a fully immersive narrative experience.

Another example, “A Blind Legend,” is an action-adventure game entirely controlled through sound. In this 3D audio experience, players use headphones to fight enemies, navigate through forests, and complete objectives.

Games like these are helping to reshape video game accessibility strategies. They illustrate that accessibility considerations are not just add-ons to satisfy requirements, but core elements of game design that enhance the playing experience for a wider audience. And they demonstrate that, far from limiting developers’ creativity, accessibility can be a springboard for innovation.

Video game accessibility for people with low vision and color blindness

In addition to advancing game accessibility for players who are blind, developers have also made headway improving the gaming experience for people with low vision and / or color blindness. Tools like screen magnifiers, text-to-speech technology, and high-contrast settings are standard features in modern games.

For example, Mortal Kombat 11 includes specific settings for players with color blindness, ensuring that some aspects of the game, such as health bars and enemy indicators, are distinguishable to all players. Similarly, Minecraft includes text-to-speech capabilities for in-game chat and menus, making it easier for people with low vision to engage with other players.

Industry-wide initiatives for accessibility in video games

Game accessibility involves more than accounting for the needs and preferences of players who are blind, color-blind, or have low vision. It means ensuring that games are accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including those with limited mobility, those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and those with cognitive disabilities. The goal is to elevate gameplay for everyone by integrating universal design principles.

Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller is an excellent example of companies’ focus on holistic accessibility. The device allows players with limited mobility to customize their gaming setup to match their needs. By connecting the controller to external switches, buttons, and joysticks, gamers with physical disabilities can participate in gameplay in ways that would have been impossible with a traditional controller.

Game developers are also paying more attention to customizable gameplay features like adjustable difficulty settings, remappable controls, and visual and auditory aids. For example, “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” offers extensive control over caption size, background color, and text-to-speech options, making it easier for players with visual or hearing disabilities to enjoy the game.

As gaming becomes more inclusive, the industry is advocating for better standards. Organizations like the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) are actively working on guidelines for game accessibility that will set the standard for future releases, ensuring that video games for people with disabilities become a permanent and natural part of the gaming ecosystem.

Powerful advocates

Companies are increasingly working with organizations like the AbleGamers Charity, a nonprofit that supports gamers with disabilities, to ensure that video games are accessible. The AbleGamers Charity has introduced key features to improve video game accessibility in its award-winning Includification Guide. These features are separated into tiers, with the easiest to implement in the lowest tiers. Many of these features can be presented to players as options rather than default settings.

Tier 1 (Good): These are the bare-minimum features that a game should have to be more accessible. Many of the features in this tier are already common in video games.

Tier 2 (Better): These easy-to-implement features will enhance the experience for people with disabilities.

Tier 3 (Best): This is an ideal list of features for people with disabilities, but some may be more costly or time-consuming to implement than the features in Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Video game accessibility: Tier 1 solutions

If you’re new to designing accessible video games, the following Tier 1 solutions are a good place to start when it comes to improving the gameplay experience for people with disabilities:

• Accessible options for players who are color-blind: An additional symbol or indicator should be used for games where color communicates necessary gameplay elements (e.g., red as a flame symbol and yellow as a star symbol). Poor color options can block pertinent information from gamers. Designing for players with color blindness is essential, as 8% of all men are color-blind.

• Closed captioning: Closed captioning is commonly confused with subtitles. While subtitles only capture dialogue, closed captioning captures dialogue along with other auditory cues like music and sound effects. Incorporating closed captioning is critical because picking up on audio clues can be an essential part of gameplay.

• Tutorials: For many players, the best way to learn a game is by playing it. Tutorials allow players to learn the game without fear of failure or repercussions and can be particularly valuable for those with cognitive disabilities. In a tutorial, the game should prompt the player when they can take an action and provide direction on what moves to make rather than letting the player discover the game’s nuances through trial and error. Developers should also ensure the tutorial is repeatable, rather than taking the “one and done” approach some games employ.

What does the future hold for game accessibility?

Accessible video games are becoming more advanced, with developers finding creative ways to integrate sound, touch, and adaptive technology. In addition, the overall push to make video games more accessible for people with disabilities signals a broader trend in gaming culture—one that values inclusivity, innovation, and adherence to related laws and standards. As these efforts continue, we move closer to a future where all players can enjoy the same level of engagement, challenge, and fun.

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FAQ

Why is accessibility important in gaming?

Video game accessibility gives players with disabilities equal opportunities to engage with and enjoy games. It also helps game developers serve a broader, more diverse audience and mitigate legal risks.

What are some proven best practices for video game accessibility?

Best practices for video game accessibility include:

– Enable players to navigate text prompts at a comfortable pace

– Provide interactive tutorials

– Use concise, understandable text and clear formatting structure

– Let users start the game easily, without navigating numerous menu levels

Does the ADA apply to video games?

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not directly apply to video games, video games are covered by the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). Requirements for CVAA compliance include game narration captioning, audio narration for visual activity, proper color contrast between foreground and background elements, magnification, and accessible controls for people with disabilities.