ESA Launches Initiative for Game Accessibility Info

Today, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative, a groundbreaking "tag" system designed to enhance video game accessibility by providing detailed information about accessibility features directly to consumers. Announced at the Game Developers Conference, this initiative is the brainchild of a coalition that includes industry giants such as 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 initiative, ensuring its effective implementation across the gaming industry.

Under this new system, participating video game companies will use a standardized set of 24 accessibility tags to label their games. These tags will be prominently displayed alongside the game's information on digital storefronts and product pages, making it easier for players to find games that meet their specific accessibility needs. The tags cover a wide range of features, from "clear text" and "large and clear subtitles" to "narrated menus" and "stick inversion," ensuring that players with various disabilities can enjoy gaming more fully.

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 occur gradually on a company-by-company basis and is currently optional. Initially, the tags will be available only in English, but the ESA has indicated that more tags or modifications to existing ones may be developed over time to further enhance the system's utility.

Accessible Games Initiative Tags:

Auditory Features

Tag: Multiple Volume Controls

Description: Separate volume controls are available for different types of sounds, allowing players to adjust music, speech, sound effects, background audio, text-to-speech audio, accessibility audio cues, and voice chat independently. A master volume control is also available to adjust all sounds at once.

Tag: Mono Sound

Description: Players can enjoy the game with mono audio, where the same audio is sent to all channels, ensuring a unified audio experience.

Tag: Stereo Sound

Description: The game supports stereo audio, providing directional sound cues from left to right, enhancing the immersive experience without vertical or depth audio cues.

Tag: Surround Sound

Description: Surround sound is supported, offering directional audio cues from all directions for a more realistic gaming environment.

Tag: Narrated Menus

Description: Screen readers or voice narration can be used for menus and notifications, allowing players to navigate through the game's interface with ease and control.

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

Description: Players can convert text chats to speech and vice versa in real-time, facilitating communication during gameplay.

*This tag includes both auditory and visual features.

Gameplay Features

Tag: Difficulty Levels

Description: Players can choose from various difficulty settings, including options that reduce the intensity of challenges, with clear descriptions of the differences between levels.

Tag: Save Anytime

Description: Manual saving is available at any time, with exceptions during specific game scenarios to prevent game-breaking issues.

Input Features

Tag: Basic Input Remapping

Description: Players can rearrange button controls, offering flexibility in how they interact with the game.

Tag: Full Input Remapping

Description: Comprehensive remapping of all game controls is possible, including keyboard, mouse, controllers, and virtual on-screen controllers, with the ability to swap controller stick functionality.

Tag: Stick Inversion

Description: Directional inputs like thumbsticks can be inverted, allowing players to customize their control scheme to their comfort.

Tag: Playable without Button Holds

Description: The game can be played without the need to hold down buttons, although some analog inputs may still require holds.

Tag: Playable without Rapid Button Presses

Description: The game avoids requiring repetitive button actions, making it accessible for players who find such actions challenging.

Tag: Playable with Keyboard Only

Description: The game is fully playable using only a keyboard, offering a straightforward control option.

Tag: Playable with Mouse Only

Description: Players can use a mouse alone or adaptive technology that maps to mouse inputs to play the game.

Tag: Playable with Buttons Only

Description: The game can be controlled using only digital inputs like buttons or keys, simplifying gameplay for some players.

Tag: Playable with Touch Only

Description: The game supports touch controls exclusively, eliminating the need for non-touch inputs.

Tag: Playable Without Motion Controls

Description: Players can enjoy the game without relying on motion controls, broadening accessibility.

Tag: Playable Without Touch Controls

Description: The game can be played without using touchpads or touchscreens, catering to different player preferences.

Visual Features

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

Description: Real-time conversion of text chats to speech and vice versa is supported, enhancing communication for players with visual or auditory impairments.

*This tag includes both auditory and visual features.

Tag: Clear Text

Description: Menu, control panel, and settings text is displayed at a reasonable size with adjustable contrast, ensuring readability.

Tag: Large Text

Description: Text in menus, control panels, and settings can be enlarged for better visibility.

Tag: Large & Clear Subtitles

Description: Subtitles for all dialogue are available in a large, clear font with adjustable background transparency and non-overlapping placement relative to game elements.

Tag: Color Alternatives

Description: Important information is not conveyed solely by color; alternative methods such as shapes, patterns, icons, or text are used.

Tag: Camera Comfort

Description: Camera effects that could cause discomfort or harm can be turned off or adjusted, including shaking, swaying, bobbing, motion blur, and forced narrative-based movement.

The Accessible Games Initiative represents a significant step forward in making video games more inclusive, ensuring that players of all abilities can enjoy the vast world of gaming. By providing clear and detailed information about accessibility features, the ESA and its partners are paving the way for a more accessible gaming future.