The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has launched the Accessible Games Initiative, a groundbreaking "tag" system designed to enhance video game accessibility for consumers. This initiative was unveiled at the Game Developers Conference and is supported by a coalition of major companies including Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft. Since its announcement, Amazon, Riot Games, Square Enix, and WB Games have also joined the effort, which will be managed by the ESA.
Under this initiative, participating companies will categorize their games using a set of 24 approved tags. These tags will be displayed alongside the game's information on digital storefronts and product pages, providing clear and concise details about the accessibility features available. The tags cover a range of features, from "clear text" and "large and clear subtitles" to "narrated menus" and "difficulty levels," ensuring players can find games that meet their specific needs.
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 occur gradually, on a company-by-company basis, and participation is voluntary. Initially, the tags will be available in English only, with potential for future expansion and adjustments.
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. A single volume control can also adjust all game sounds simultaneously.
Tag: Mono Sound
Description: Enables playing with mono audio, sending the same audio to all channels for a combined audio experience.
Tag: Stereo Sound
Description: Allows playing with stereo audio, indicating the left or right origin of sounds, but not their vertical or depth positioning.
Tag: Surround Sound
Description: Supports playing with surround sound, providing directional audio from any direction.
Tag: Narrated Menus
Description: Facilitates the use of screen readers or voice narration for menus and notifications, allowing for controlled interactions and announcements.
Tag: Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech
Description: Provides text-to-speech and speech-to-text conversion for game chats, enabling real-time narration of text chats and transcripts of voice chats.
Gameplay Features
Tag: Difficulty Levels
Description: Offers multiple difficulty options, including at least one that reduces challenge intensity, with clear descriptions of the differences.
Tag: Save Anytime
Description: Allows manual saving of progress at any time, except during saving/loading or when it could lead to game-breaking scenarios.
Input Features
Tag: Basic Input Remapping
Description: Permits rearranging button controls, with the "Full Input Remapping" tag offering more comprehensive remapping options.
Tag: Full Input Remapping
Description: Enables assigning any game action to any control across all supported input methods, including swapping controller stick functionality.
Tag: Stick Inversion
Description: Allows changing the effect of directional inputs like thumbsticks on game movement.
Tag: Playable without Button Holds
Description: Enables gameplay without holding digital inputs, though some analog inputs may still require holding.
Tag: Playable without Rapid Button Presses
Description: Avoids 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 other devices.
Tag: Playable with Mouse Only
Description: Allows gameplay using only a mouse, including compatibility with adaptive technology that maps to mouse inputs.
Tag: Playable with Buttons Only
Description: Enables gameplay using only digital inputs like buttons or keys, where pressure does not affect control.
Tag: Playable with Touch Only
Description: Supports gameplay using only touch controls, without requiring non-touch inputs.
Tag: Playable Without Motion Controls
Description: Permits gameplay without using 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 reasonable size and adjustable contrast, with less stylized font options.
Tag: Large Text
Description: Provides options for large font sizes in menus, control panels, and settings.
Tag: Large & Clear Subtitles
Description: Offers subtitles for all dialogue with adjustable size, transparency, and non-overlapping placement, using less stylized fonts.
Tag: Color Alternatives
Description: Ensures that important information is not solely communicated through color, with alternatives like shapes, patterns, icons, or text.
Tag: Camera Comfort
Description: Prevents or allows adjustment of camera effects that may cause discomfort or harm, such as shaking, swaying, or motion blur.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in making video games more accessible to all players, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the thrill and community of gaming.
