ESA Unveils Initiative for Game Accessibility Details

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative, a groundbreaking "tag" system designed to enhance video game accessibility for consumers. Announced at the Game Developers Conference, this initiative stems from a collaboration involving industry giants such as Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft. Additional support has been pledged by Amazon, Riot Games, Square Enix, and WB Games, with the ESA overseeing the initiative's management.

Under this new system, participating game companies will label their products with specific "tags" from a curated list of 24. These tags, which will appear alongside game descriptions on digital storefronts and product pages, aim to clearly communicate the accessibility features available in each game. Examples of these tags include "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 initiative's significance, 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 participation is voluntary. Initially, the tags will be available only in English, with potential expansions or modifications to the tag system expected in the future.

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 the volume of music, speech, sound effects, background audio, text-to-speech audio, accessibility audio cues, and voice chat individually. A master volume control is also available to adjust all game sounds at once.

Tag: Mono Sound

Description: This feature enables players to experience the game in mono audio, where the same audio is sent to all channels, providing a single, combined audio channel.

Tag: Stereo Sound

Description: Players can enjoy stereo audio, where sounds indicate their position from left to right, but not their vertical or depth position.

Tag: Surround Sound

Description: Surround sound is supported, allowing sounds to be positioned in any direction, enhancing the immersive experience.

Tag: Narrated Menus

Description: Screen readers or voice narration can be used for menus and notifications, with full menu accessibility and user-controlled interactions announced through narration.

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

Description: This feature supports real-time conversion of text chats to speech and vice versa for voice chats, enhancing communication accessibility.

Gameplay Features

Tag: Difficulty Levels

Description: Players can choose from various difficulty settings, including at least one option that reduces the challenge intensity, with clear descriptions of the differences between levels.

Tag: Save Anytime

Description: Manual saving is available at any time, except during specific scenarios such as game saving/loading or during animations that could disrupt gameplay.

Input Features

Tag: Basic Input Remapping

Description: Allows players to rearrange button controls through swapping or other methods, but does not include full remapping capabilities.

Tag: Full Input Remapping

Description: Players can assign any game action to any control across all supported input methods, including swapping controller stick functionality.

Tag: Stick Inversion

Description: Players can invert the direction inputs for up/down and left/right movements, applicable to thumbsticks and flight sticks.

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 holding.

Tag: Playable without Rapid Button Presses

Description: Eliminates the need for repetitive button actions such as mashing or quick-time events.

Tag: Playable with Keyboard Only

Description: The game can be fully played using only a keyboard, without any additional devices.

Tag: Playable with Mouse Only

Description: Supports gameplay using only a mouse, including compatibility with adaptive technology that maps to mouse inputs.

Tag: Playable with Buttons Only

Description: Players can control the game and menus using only digital inputs, where pressure does not affect the controls.

Tag: Playable with Touch Only

Description: The game can be played using touch controls exclusively, without the need for buttons or analog sticks.

Tag: Playable Without Motion Controls

Description: Allows gameplay without the use of motion controls.

Tag: Playable Without Touch Controls

Description: The game can be played without using touchpads or touchscreens.

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, aiding visual and auditory communication.

Tag: Clear Text

Description: Ensures text in menus and settings is legible with adjustable contrast, using less stylized fonts or options for font change.

Tag: Large Text

Description: Offers the option for larger font sizes in menus and settings, improving readability.

Tag: Large & Clear Subtitles

Description: Subtitles are provided for all dialogue, with options for size, background transparency, and non-overlapping placement with game elements.

Tag: Color Alternatives

Description: Important information is not solely conveyed through color, with alternatives such as shape, pattern, icons, or text available.

Tag: Camera Comfort

Description: Ensures no camera effects that could cause discomfort or harm are present, or they can be adjusted or turned off, including effects like shaking, swaying, and motion blur.