ESA Launches Initiative for Game Accessibility Features

Today, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative, a pioneering "tag" system designed to enhance video game accessibility for consumers. This announcement was made at the Game Developers Conference, showcasing a collaborative effort by industry giants including Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft. Since then, Amazon, Riot Games, Square Enix, and WB Games have also joined the initiative, which will be overseen by the ESA.

Under this initiative, participating video game companies will categorize their games using a standardized set of 24 accessibility tags. These tags will be prominently displayed alongside game details on digital storefronts and product pages, providing players with clear information about the accessibility features available in each game.

These tags cover a wide range of accessibility features, including "clear text," "large and clear subtitles," "narrated menus," "stick inversion," "save anytime," "difficulty levels," "playable without button holds," and more. This initiative aims to ensure that gamers with disabilities can easily find games that meet their specific needs and preferences.

Stanley Pierre-Louis, the president and CEO of the ESA, 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 while not mandatory, they represent a significant step forward in gaming accessibility. Initially, the tags will be available in English only, with potential for future expansion and refinement.

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 independently. Additionally, a single volume control can adjust all game sounds simultaneously.

Tag: Mono Sound

Description: Players can opt for mono audio, where the same sound is sent to all channels, ensuring a unified audio experience.

Tag: Stereo Sound

Description: This tag indicates support for stereo audio, where sounds indicate their left or right origin but do not convey depth or elevation.

Tag: Surround Sound

Description: Games with this tag support surround sound, providing directional audio cues from any direction.

Tag: Narrated Menus

Description: Enables the use of screen readers or voice narration for menus and notifications, allowing for fully accessible navigation without a cursor.

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

Description: Facilitates real-time conversion between voice and text for in-game chats, enhancing communication for players with hearing or speech impairments.

Gameplay Features

Tag: Difficulty Levels

Description: Players can choose from multiple difficulty settings, including options that reduce the challenge intensity, with clear descriptions of each level's differences.

Tag: Save Anytime

Description: Allows players to manually save their game progress at any time, except during specific scenarios that could disrupt gameplay.

Input Features

Tag: Basic Input Remapping

Description: Players can rearrange button controls, with options for simple swaps or more complex rearrangements.

Tag: Full Input Remapping

Description: Offers complete control over which actions are assigned to which inputs across all supported devices, including keyboard, mouse, controllers, and virtual on-screen controls.

Tag: Stick Inversion

Description: Allows players to invert directional inputs such as thumbsticks for a more comfortable gaming experience.

Tag: Playable without Button Holds

Description: Games with this tag do not require players to hold down buttons, although some analog inputs may still need to be held.

Tag: Playable without Rapid Button Presses

Description: Ensures that the game can be played without the need for quick, repetitive button actions.

Tag: Playable with Keyboard Only

Description: Players can enjoy the game using only a keyboard, without the need for other input devices.

Tag: Playable with Mouse Only

Description: Supports gameplay using only a mouse, including compatibility with adaptive technologies that simulate mouse inputs.

Tag: Playable with Buttons Only

Description: Games can be controlled using only digital inputs like buttons or keys, regardless of pressure sensitivity.

Tag: Playable with Touch Only

Description: Allows for gameplay using only touch controls, without requiring any non-touch inputs.

Tag: Playable Without Motion Controls

Description: Indicates that the game can be played without relying on motion controls.

Tag: Playable Without Touch Controls

Description: Ensures that players can enjoy the game without needing to use touchpads or touchscreens.

Visual Features

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

Description: Provides real-time conversion between voice and text for in-game chats, enhancing communication for players with visual or hearing impairments.

Tag: Clear Text

Description: Ensures that text in menus, control panels, and settings is legible, with adjustable contrast and less stylized fonts.

Tag: Large Text

Description: Offers the option to display text in menus, control panels, and settings in a larger, more readable size.

Tag: Large & Clear Subtitles

Description: Subtitles for all dialogue are available, with options for size, background transparency, and font style to ensure readability.

Tag: Color Alternatives

Description: Important game information is communicated through means other than color, such as shapes, patterns, icons, or text, or color can be adjusted.

Tag: Camera Comfort

Description: Ensures that camera effects that could cause discomfort or harm, such as shaking or motion blur, can be turned off or adjusted.

This comprehensive list of tags is set to revolutionize how gamers with disabilities interact with video games, making the gaming world more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.