What does "games accessibility" mean?
Games accessibility refers to the design and implementation of features that make video games playable and enjoyable for people with a wide range of abilities and needs. At AbleToPlay, we define accessibility as the support for various needs, organized into the following six categories:
- Vision: Features that assist players with visual impairments, ranging from colorblindness to low vision to motion sensitivity. Examples include:
- Adjustable text size and contrast
- Colorblindness options
- Audio cues for on-screen actions
- Screen reader support
- Auditory: Features that support players who are Deaf or hard of hearing. These may include:
- Subtitles for dialogue, and the ability to customize the subtitles
- Full closed captioning, which includes important environmental sounds
- Visual indicators for audio cues
- Volume controls for different audio channels
- Mobility: Features that help players with limited motor control or dexterity. Examples include:
- Remappable controls
- One-handed control schemes
- Adjustable control sensitivity
- Auto-aim or targeting assistance
- Cognition: Features that assist players with cognitive disabilities, learning difficulties, or neurodivergent conditions. These might include:
- Adjustable difficulty levels
- Clear, simple instructions
- Customizable UI complexity
- Pause options in fast-paced games
- Triggers: Features that help players avoid or manage content that could trigger adverse reactions, such as seizures, anxiety, or PTSD. Examples include:
- Reduction or mitigation of triggers, such as Arachnophobia-friendly options to remove arachnids
- Content warnings for potentially distressing scenes
- Options to skip or alter triggering content
- Other (Quality of Life): Additional features that improve the gaming experience for players with various needs or preferences. These might include:
- Games playable totally offline, with no consistent internet connection
- Auto-save checkpoints
- Time slowing or pausing mechanics
- Save anywhere functionality
By categorizing accessibility features in this way, we aim to help gamers quickly identify which games will best meet their individual needs and preferences. Game developers and publishers can also use these categories as a general guide to create more inclusive and accessible gaming experiences.