ESA Launches Initiative for Game Accessibility Information

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has launched an exciting new initiative called the Accessible Games Initiative at the Game Developers Conference. This initiative is a collaborative effort among major video game industry players including Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft, with additional support from Amazon, Riot Games, Square Enix, and WB Games. The ESA will oversee the management of this program, which aims to enhance video game accessibility for consumers through a new "tag" system.

Under this initiative, participating companies will tag their games with up to 24 specific accessibility features. These tags will be displayed alongside game information on digital storefronts and product pages, making it easier for consumers to find games that meet their accessibility needs. The tags cover a range of features such as "clear text," "large and clear subtitles," "narrated menus," "stick inversion," "save anytime," "difficulty levels," and "playable without button holds," among others.

Stanley Pierre-Louis, ESA's president and CEO, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games. 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 ESA also noted that the list of tags may evolve, with potential additions or modifications to the existing tags over time. While participation in the initiative is voluntary, the impact on game accessibility could be significant, making video games more inclusive and enjoyable for a broader audience.

The Accessible Games Initiative includes the following tags:

Auditory Features

Tag: Multiple Volume Controls

Description: Separate volume controls are available for different types of sounds, allowing you to adjust the volume for music, speech, sound effects, background audio, text-to-speech audio, accessibility audio cues, and voice chat independently. You can also change all game sounds at once using a single volume control.

Tag: Mono Sound

Description: This feature lets you play with mono audio, sending the same audio to all channels, which is useful for players who use a single earpiece or have hearing in one ear only.

Tag: Stereo Sound

Description: Allows you to experience stereo audio, where sounds indicate their position from left to right but not vertically or in depth.

Tag: Surround Sound

Description: Enhances your gaming experience with surround sound, providing directional audio cues from any direction.

Tag: Narrated Menus

Description: Enables the use of screen readers or voice narration for navigating menus and receiving notifications, making the game more accessible for visually impaired players.

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

Description: Facilitates communication in game chats by converting text to speech and vice versa, enhancing accessibility for players with hearing or speech impairments.

Gameplay Features

Tag: Difficulty Levels

Description: Offers multiple difficulty options, including at least one setting that reduces the challenge intensity, catering to players of varying skill levels.

Tag: Save Anytime

Description: Allows you to manually save your progress at any time, except during specific game states like saving or loading, or during scenarios where saving could disrupt game progress.

Input Features

Tag: Basic Input Remapping

Description: Permits rearrangement of button controls, offering flexibility for players to customize their control scheme.

Tag: Full Input Remapping

Description: Provides comprehensive control over which actions are assigned to which inputs across all supported devices, including keyboards, mice, controllers, and on-screen controls.

Tag: Stick Inversion

Description: Allows you to invert the direction of movement for directional inputs like thumbsticks, catering to individual player preferences.

Tag: Playable without Button Holds

Description: Enables gameplay without the need to hold buttons, although some analog inputs like sticks and triggers may still require holds.

Tag: Playable without Rapid Button Presses

Description: Eliminates the need for rapid button actions, such as button mashing or quick-time events, making the game more accessible for players with motor impairments.

Tag: Playable with Keyboard Only

Description: Allows the game to be played using only a keyboard, suitable for players who prefer or require keyboard input.

Tag: Playable with Mouse Only

Description: Enables gameplay using only a mouse, also compatible with adaptive technology that maps to mouse inputs.

Tag: Playable with Buttons Only

Description: Permits control of the game and menus 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, eliminating the need for non-touch inputs like buttons or analog sticks.

Tag: Playable Without Motion Controls

Description: Lets you play the game without relying on motion controls, which can be challenging for some players.

Tag: Playable Without Touch Controls

Description: Enables gameplay without the use of touchpads or touchscreens, accommodating players who prefer or require alternative control methods.

Visual Features

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

Description: Facilitates communication in game chats by converting text to speech and vice versa, enhancing accessibility for players with hearing or speech impairments.

Tag: Clear Text

Description: Ensures text in menus, control panels, and settings is legible, with adjustable contrast and less stylized fonts for better readability.

Tag: Large Text

Description: Offers the option to increase the font size of text in menus, control panels, and settings for better visibility.

Tag: Large & Clear Subtitles

Description: Provides subtitles for all dialogue with adjustable size, background transparency, and non-overlapping placement with game elements, ensuring readability.

Tag: Color Alternatives

Description: Uses shapes, patterns, icons, or text instead of color to communicate important information, or allows color adjustments for better visibility.

Tag: Camera Comfort

Description: Allows players to disable or adjust camera effects such as shaking, swaying, bobbing, motion blur, and speed that may cause discomfort or harm, enhancing the gaming experience for those sensitive to such effects.