Accessibility in the News: Gaming Accessibility
The gaming industry has improved its accessibility focus in recent years by listening to gamers with disabilities. This effort has been prompted by organizations like, Able Gamers, a nonprofit dedicated to improving inclusion in the gaming industry. Microsoft made a significant breakthrough when they introduced their adaptive controller in 2018, allowing gamers of all different abilities to enjoy the games they love. Game developers have continued to show how they can push the envelope when it comes to accessibility.
In 2020 the video game developer Naughty Dog released what has been referred to as the most accessible game ever. “The Last of Us 2” is a post-apocalyptic action/adventure game with over 60 different accessibility options. By including high-contrast environments, text-to-speech, vibration and audio cues, the game has been designed to be playable by blind and low vision gamers. The studio doesn’t intend to stop there either, in a tweet from Robert Krekel, the Lead Audio Developer at Naughty Dog stated “[w]e took a big step on The Last of Us Part 2 with accessibility, but we are not satisfied. We will continue to evolve and improve these systems over our coming projects. The goal being that anyone should be able to finish our games. Games are for everyone.”
Below are a collection of news stories dedicated to accessibility in gaming gathered from Accessibility in the News, our free weekly accessibility newsletter. If you or anyone you know is interested in more news like this please feel free to subscribe here: Subscribe to Accessibility in the News!
Gaming Accessibility in 2021
How a Disabled Gamers Initiative Was Able to Raise $1 Million
August 19, 2021 | Source: IGN
Steven Spohn describes himself as a “twice-over terminally disabled individual” with spinal muscular atrophy who, according to doctors, shouldn’t be alive. He also describes himself as someone deeply dedicated to advocating for people with disabilities who want to play games.
10 Video Games That Have Great Accessibility Options
August 12, 2021 | Source: CBR
With Microsoft‘s adaptive controllers, new eye-tracking technology, and a wide array of in game settings that allow all gamers the chance to play many industry-leading titles, there are many options that provide accessibility to those who may not have had access before. Just recently, accessibility options took the main stage at The Game Awards, as they were given their own category. While only five were highlighted there, many other titles boast new ways to connect with fans.
‘Can I Play That?’ Co-Founder Courtney Craven on the Spectrum of Disability and Challenge of Accessibility
May 30, 2021 | Source: Hollywood Reporter
Can I play that?” This is a question facing gamers with disabilities, just about every time they pick up a new game. It’s also the name of a robust accessibility resource co-founded by activist and writer Courtney Craven to provide a platform to voices in need. There are reference guides. There are accessibility reviews. There are diversity, equity and inclusion workshops. And on a more personal note, there are pieces that explore how and why particular people play the games they do…
Call of Duty: Warzone dev wants player feedback to improve accessibility options
April 29, 2021 | Source: Games Radar
The official Raven Software Twitter account put out the statement below on Twitter, asking for fan feedback for accessibility options in Call of Duty: Warzone. Players are asked to use the link within the tweet to fill out a form giving feedback to the Warzone developer on any issues they think need addressing or altering at all.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart shows off over 15 minutes of gameplay and new photo, accessibility modes
April 29, 2021 | Source: Games Radar
The Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart State of Play presentation was packed with over 15 minutes of new gameplay, as well as confirmation of a fully featured photo mode and expansive accessibility options.
Free Web Game Makes Learning American Sign Language Easy And Accessible
April 26, 2021 | Source: Scary Mommy
Can I play that?” This is a question facing gamers with disabilities, just about every time they pick up a new game. It’s also the name of a robust accessibility resource co-founded by activist and writer Courtney Craven to provide a platform to voices in need. There are reference guides. There are accessibility reviews. There are diversity, equity and inclusion workshops. And on a more personal note, there are pieces that explore how and why particular people play the games they do…
Brie Larson Gives AbleGamers Charity a Shoutout On Twitter
April 23, 2021 | Source: Screen Rant
Brie Larson has extended her support for the AbleGamers charity on Twitter following her more pronounced presence in the gaming space recently. AbleGamers is a charity that helps make gaming more accessible to differently-abled gamers by providing specifically designed controllers and other equipment to ensure they get the best experience possible, free of charge.
Game subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass make gaming more accessible for disabled gamers
April 23, 2021 | Source: Know Techie
Gaming subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Now are gaining popularity in a world where subscriptions are everywhere. Digital streaming subscription services like Netflix and Disney+ have become an integral part of the entertainment industry, especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the gaming industry seems to be following suit.
Shattering the ‘gamer’ stereotype
February 23, 2021 | Source: The Washington Post
Video Games Have Never Been More Accessible
February 23, 2021 | Source: Rewire
Microsoft’s investments make Xbox a leader in gaming accessibility, and others should follow
February 23, 2021 | Source: Windows Central
Courtney Craven was an avid video game player growing up, but stopped for a stretch during college and graduate school. Then in 2014, Craven’s partner— who is deaf—bought a game console that changed both of their lives. “She was excited to play it, because it was graphically stunning,” said Craven, who uses the pronoun they. “But about 20 minutes into the game, she discovered that because of the poor captioning, she couldn’t progress,” they explained. The game wasn’t accessible to Craven’s partner, not because she wasn’t interested, but because the industry had not yet caught up to how diverse its fanbase was…
Top Stories 2020
- April 21, 2020 – For physically disabled gamers, the Switch is incredibly accessible. Here’s why. – Washington Post
- April 24, 2020 – Breaking deaf stereotypes and normalizing sign language through gaming – ARS Technica
- June 12, 2020 – The Last of Us Part 2 gives players with disabilities a better gaming experience – CNET
- June 14, 2020 – Blind gamer shares emotional response to The Last of Us Part 2 accessibility options – VG 247
- June 18, 2020 – The Last Of Us Part 2: All Accessibility Options – PlayStation Universe
- June 19, 2020 – Last of Us 2 has ‘changed the game’ for accessibility – CBC News
- June 21, 2020 – Last of Us Part II: Is this the most accessible game ever? – BBC News
- September 19, 2020– How to Make Your Game Streams Accessible with Live Captions – Tom’s Hardware
- October 29, 2020 – Gamers Forge Their Own Paths When It Comes to Accessibility – Wired
- October 30, 2020 – Microsoft’s Xbox Website Allegedly Violates ADA – Law Street Media
- December 21, 2020 – Noteworthy Advancement in Accessibility for 2020 – IGN
Top Stories 2019
- January 14, 2019- Disabled video gamers find more options as EA, others expand choices – Orlando Sentinel
- January 17, 2019- It’s designers who can make gaming more accessible for people living with disabilities – The Conversation
- January 31, 2019- Gaming accessibility is the star of Microsoft’s Super Bowl ad – Engadget
- March 21, 2019- Gaming for Everyone: 6 Accessible Gaming Devices – PC Magazine
- April 2, 2019- Learning With: ‘Adaptive Video Game Controllers Open Worlds for Gamers With Disabilities’ – New York Times
- May 6, 2019- An Xbox controller with a built-in Braille display is Microsoft’s latest gaming accessibility play – TechCrunch
- May 9, 2019- Video games are a ‘great equalizer’ for people with disabilities – USA Today
- May 20, 2019- Ubisoft is making strides towards more accessible games – Digital Trends
- June 30, 2019- Microsoft’s Adaptive Xbox Controller Makes Gaming More Accessible – Now This News
- June 27, 2019- What does a truly accessible game look like? We asked the pros – Digital Trends
- July 16, 2019- How a West Virginia group helped make video games accessible to the disabled – The Washington Post
- August 5, 2019- Who better to review a game for accessibility than a disabled gamer? – Digital Trends
- October 8, 2019- Accessibility finally matters to the game industry — but it needs to do better – Venture Beat
- November 18, 2019- Logitech’s Adaptive Gaming Kit is a cheaper way in to accessible gaming – The Verge
- November 18, 2019- UT’s National Deaf Center develops first ASL-accessible video game – The Daily Texan
- December 3, 2019- Logitech G Adaptive Gaming Kit Creates New Possibilities For Gamers With Accessibility Needs – Irish Tech News
- December 23, 2019- The biggest hurdle of accessible games may be the community, not developers – Polygon
- December 27, 2019- Video game for blind children designed by 12-year-old Valrico whizkid with hearing loss – ABC Action News
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