ESA Launches Initiative for Game Accessibility Details

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative at the Game Developers Conference, a pioneering move to enhance video game accessibility. This initiative, crafted by a coalition including Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft, and later joined by Amazon, Riot Games, Square Enix, and WB Games, introduces a "tag" system to help consumers identify accessibility features in games. Managed by the ESA, this system will display 24 specific tags on digital storefronts and product pages, offering clear insights into game accessibility options.

These tags cover a range of features from "clear text" and "large and clear subtitles" to "narrated menus" and "stick inversion," among others. This initiative aims to break down barriers for the tens of millions of Americans with disabilities, allowing them to fully engage with the joy and connection that video games can provide. As stated by ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis, "We are immensely proud to announce the Accessible Games Initiative in partnership with industry leaders. This initiative demonstrates how impactful we can be when we work together in our industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play."

The rollout of these tags will be gradual, implemented on a company-by-company basis, and initially available only in English. The system is not mandatory, and the ESA plans to possibly expand or refine the tags over time to meet evolving needs.

Accessible Games Initiative Tags:

Auditory Features

Tag: Multiple Volume Controls

Description:

Separate volume controls are available for different types of sounds, including music, speech, sound effects, background audio, text-to-speech audio, accessibility audio cues, and voice chat. Additionally, all game sounds can be adjusted simultaneously with a single volume control.

Tag: Mono Sound

Description:

Allows for mono audio playback, sending the same audio to all channels, which is ideal for players using a single earpiece or those with hearing impairments.

Tag: Stereo Sound

Description:

Enables stereo audio, where sounds indicate their position from left to right, enhancing the gaming experience without conveying depth or elevation.

Tag: Surround Sound

Description:

Supports surround sound, providing directional audio cues from any direction, enriching the immersive quality of the game.

Tag: Narrated Menus

Description:

Offers screen readers or voice narration for menus and notifications, making navigation easier for visually impaired players.

Tag: Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech

Description:

Facilitates real-time conversion of text chats to speech and voice chats to text, enhancing communication in multiplayer settings.

Gameplay Features

Tag: Difficulty Levels

Description:

Allows selection from multiple difficulty options, including at least one that significantly reduces the game's challenge, with clear descriptions of the differences.

Tag: Save Anytime

Description:

Permits manual saving at any time, with exceptions during specific game states to prevent game-breaking scenarios.

Input Features

Tag: Basic Input Remapping

Description:

Allows rearrangement of button controls, which can be swapped or adjusted through simple methods.

Tag: Full Input Remapping

Description:

Enables complete remapping of all game controls across supported input methods, including keyboard, mouse, controllers, and on-screen controls.

Tag: Stick Inversion

Description:

Allows adjustment of direction inputs like thumbsticks, changing how they affect game movement vertically and horizontally.

Tag: Playable without Button Holds

Description:

Ensures gameplay without the need to hold digital inputs, although some analog inputs may still require holding.

Tag: Playable without Rapid Button Presses

Description:

Eliminates the need for repetitive button actions, such as button mashing, making games more accessible for players with motor impairments.

Tag: Playable with Keyboard Only

Description:

Allows gameplay using only a keyboard, without the need for other input devices.

Tag: Playable with Mouse Only

Description:

Enables gameplay using only a mouse, including support for adaptive technology that maps to mouse inputs.

Tag: Playable with Buttons Only

Description:

Permits gameplay using only digital inputs like buttons or keys, where the pressure applied does not affect the controls.

Tag: Playable with Touch Only

Description:

Allows gameplay using only touch controls, without the need for non-touch inputs like buttons or analog sticks.

Tag: Playable Without Motion Controls

Description:

Enables gameplay without the use of motion controls, catering to players who prefer traditional input methods.

Tag: Playable Without Touch Controls

Description:

Allows gameplay without using touchpads or touchscreens, making games accessible to a wider audience.

Visual Features

Tag: Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech

Description:

Facilitates real-time conversion of text chats to speech and voice chats to text, enhancing communication in multiplayer settings.

Tag: Clear Text

Description:

Ensures text in menus and settings is of a reasonable size with adjustable contrast, using less stylized fonts or options to change them.

Tag: Large Text

Description:

Allows for larger font sizes in menus and settings, improving readability for players with visual impairments.

Tag: Large & Clear Subtitles

Description:

Provides subtitles for all dialogue with adjustable size, background transparency, and non-overlapping placement, using less stylized fonts.

Tag: Color Alternatives

Description:

Ensures important game information is not solely conveyed through color, using shapes, patterns, icons, or text as alternatives.

Tag: Camera Comfort

Description:

Avoids or allows adjustment of camera effects that could cause discomfort, such as shaking, swaying, or motion blur, ensuring a more enjoyable experience for all players.