The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative, a groundbreaking "tag" system designed to enhance video game accessibility for consumers. This initiative was announced at the Game Developers Conference and is the result of collaboration among leading companies such as Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft. Additional industry giants like Amazon, Riot Games, Square Enix, and WB Games have also joined the effort, which will be overseen by the ESA.
Under this initiative, participating game companies will use a set of 24 approved tags to label their games, making it easier for players to find games that suit their accessibility needs. These tags will be displayed alongside the game's project information on digital storefronts and product pages. The tags cover a variety of features, including "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 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 in English only. The ESA may introduce additional tags or refine existing ones over time to further enhance the system.
Accessible Games Initiative Tags:
Auditory Features
Tag: Multiple Volume Controls
Description: Separate volume controls are available for different types of sounds, allowing adjustments for 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: Enables mono audio playback, sending the same audio to all channels, which is beneficial for players using one ear or headphone.
Tag: Stereo Sound
Description: Supports stereo audio, where sounds indicate their left or right origin but not their vertical or depth position.
Tag: Surround Sound
Description: Facilitates surround sound, providing directional audio cues from any direction.
Tag: Narrated Menus
Description: Allows the use of screen readers or voice narration for menus and notifications, enabling players to navigate without a cursor and receive audio feedback on interactions and changes.
Tag: Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech
Description: Provides real-time text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion for in-game chats, enhancing communication for players with hearing or speech impairments.
Gameplay Features
Tag: Difficulty Levels
Description: Offers multiple difficulty options, including at least one that reduces challenge intensity, with clear descriptions of the differences between levels.
Tag: Save Anytime
Description: Permits manual saving at any time, with exceptions during game saving/loading or when saving could disrupt gameplay or block progress.
Input Features
Tag: Basic Input Remapping
Description: Allows rearrangement of button controls through swapping or other simple methods, distinct from full remapping which includes all game controls and input methods.
Tag: Full Input Remapping
Description: Enables complete remapping of all game controls across all supported input methods, including swapping controller stick functionality.
Tag: Stick Inversion
Description: Permits changing how directional inputs, like thumbsticks, affect movement in the game.
Tag: Playable without Button Holds
Description: Allows gameplay without the need to hold digital inputs, though 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 or quick-time events.
Tag: Playable with Keyboard Only
Description: Supports gameplay using only a keyboard, without requiring additional devices.
Tag: Playable with Mouse Only
Description: Enables gameplay using only a mouse, including compatibility with adaptive technologies that map to mouse inputs.
Tag: Playable with Buttons Only
Description: Allows gameplay using only digital inputs like buttons or keys, where pressure does not affect controls.
Tag: Playable with Touch Only
Description: Supports gameplay using only touch controls, eliminating the need for non-touch inputs.
Tag: Playable Without Motion Controls
Description: Permits gameplay without the use of motion controls.
Tag: Playable Without Touch Controls
Description: Allows gameplay without using touchpads or touchscreens.
Visual Features
Tag: Clear Text
Description: Ensures text in menus, control panels, and settings is of a reasonable size and contrast, with options to adjust font and contrast for better readability.
Tag: Large Text
Description: Provides options for using a large font size in menus, control panels, and settings.
Tag: Large & Clear Subtitles
Description: Offers subtitles for all dialogue, with customizable size, transparency, and font, ensuring they do not overlap with important game elements.
Tag: Color Alternatives
Description: Ensures important information is not solely conveyed through color, using shapes, patterns, icons, or text as alternatives.
Tag: Camera Comfort
Description: Prevents or allows adjustment of camera effects that could cause discomfort, such as shaking, swaying, or motion blur, enhancing player comfort.
