The gaming industry, a colossal entity, carries profound responsibilities toward its players, responsibilities that continually evolve. Regrettably, current efforts toward accessibility, ensuring games are suitable for disabled audiences, fall short of the mark. Yet, there is hope as accessibility garners more attention and momentum within the industry.
Notable studios like Sony Santa Monica Studio, with its blockbuster sequel God of War Ragnarök, have made significant strides in enhancing accessibility features compared to previous iterations. Similarly, Forza Motorsport’s introduction of Blind Driving Assists in its latest release has notably expanded accessibility for blind or low-vision players.
However, the pace and breadth of improvement are far from adequate.
A Win-Win Situation
Ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their abilities, can partake in the joy of gaming is imperative. Beyond the moral obligation lies a compelling business case.
Recent research from industry analysts Newzoo reveals that disabled players constitute a substantial yet underserved portion of the gaming market, accounting for 31% in the US and 20% in the UK. Embracing accessibility isn’t just ethically responsible; it’s a financially prudent decision.
Moreover, there’s a growing acknowledgment and advocacy for diversity and inclusion across society, particularly among younger demographics. Companies are increasingly scrutinized for their stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with reputational consequences in today’s competitive recruitment landscape.
Directly Addressing the Challenge
Despite advancements, many games still launch with inadequately small text, poor contrast, and reliance on color-coded information, hindering accessibility. Providing options for text size adjustment and fully remappable controls should be among the first steps developers take to maximize impact.
Technological advancements present both opportunities and challenges for accessibility. For instance, while higher screen resolutions enable finer details, they can inadvertently marginalize players with visual impairments. Simple features like adjustable text size demonstrate that accessibility doesn’t impede innovation; rather, it fosters it, catering to diverse player preferences.
Inclusive Design Principles
In-game remapping, an often-requested accessibility feature, should be standard practice. Complex control schemes can alienate certain players, making simplification options essential for inclusivity. Additionally, considering colorblindness, ensuring adequate contrast, flexible subtitle presentation, and captioning audio cues are vital steps toward inclusivity.
Addressing cognitive load, sensory stimuli, and diverse learning paths further enhances accessibility. Developers must recognize that disabled players are experts in their own experiences, emphasizing the importance of integrating their perspectives throughout the design process.
Embracing a Cultural Shift
Accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought; it must be ingrained in a company’s culture. This extends beyond making games accessible to creating inclusive workplaces. Integrating accessibility principles into web design and recruitment practices is crucial for attracting diverse talent.
Authentic engagement with disabled communities is paramount for meaningful change. Accessibility should not be a mere checkbox exercise but a core aspect of organizational values. Engraining diversity and inclusion principles across all facets of the company, including design and communication, is essential for genuine progress.
Looking Ahead
While achieving 100% accessibility may be unattainable, progress remains invaluable. The future of gaming lies in inclusivity, and studios must prioritize accessibility as a fundamental aspect of design philosophy. Collaboration and commitment to accessibility not only fulfill moral obligations but also ensure sustainable growth and prosperity within the industry.
