Accessibility and inclusion are terms that have gained incredible traction during the last decade. In fact, almost every industry now needs to apply some sort of accessibility approach in order to comply with modern inclusivity standards.
Being a staple of modern culture, video games have not escaped this reality. Today, video gaming has become an integral part of the lives of almost 3 billion people around the globe. It is no longer seen solely as a way to kill a few idle hours. For many, it has become a channel to expand their social circle and widen their reach in terms of activities, socialization, networking, artistic expression, and, of course, entertainment.
What is accessibility in video games?
People have always created tools that grant them abilities they did not possess before. Stairs are a classic example, as they give us access to areas that would otherwise be unapproachable. However, even a short flight of stairs can be a huge obstacle for people who depend on a wheelchair to navigate the world.
The core concept of accessibility revolves around the extension of usability for people who live with certain restrictions. So, adding ramps and elevators to the design of a building will help in this case. Moreover, people who would typically use the stairs also benefit from this, especially when need to carry heavy loads up or down or have motor impairments.
Many games demand taking specific actions or having certain skills, like pushing several buttons in sequence (or smashing them rapidly), having lightning-fast reflexes, or the ability to recall vital information. These elements usually make games exciting and fun to play. But these types of activity aren’t available for everyone, talking about both mental and physical states.
Accessibility in video games means the creation of user interfaces that eliminate all the possible limitations for people who have certain disabilities.
How should gaming studios approach accessibility?
For years, the most common way to make games more accessible was creating special controllers that allowed people with disabilities to get a more comfortable grip, or provide input alternatives for those with limited mobility. Controllers with oversized buttons, footswitches, and eye-tracking technology were developed to give players with limiting motor conditions or restrictions a chance to play their favorite games.
This approach was based on the traditional concept of disability that revolved around strictly medical terms, such as blindness or the inability to properly hold a controller. The medical model is still considered correct in many respects, and millions around the world have benefited from the solutions it has helped develop. However, that model is too narrow and leads to a very limited understanding of UX design.
The standard chunk of Lorem Ipsum used since the 1500s is reproduced below for those interested. Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 from “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” by Cicero are also reproduced in their exact original form, accompanied by English versions from the 1914 translation by H. Rackham.
The standard chunk of Lorem Ipsum used since the 1500s is reproduced below for those interested. Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 from “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” by Cicero are also reproduced in their exact original form, accompanied by English versions from the 1914 translation by H. Rackham.
There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form, by injected humour, or randomised words which don’t look even slightly
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For years, the most common way to make games more accessible was creating special controllers that allowed people with disabilities to get a more comfortable grip, or provide input alternatives for those with limited mobility. Controllers with oversized buttons, footswitches, and eye-tracking technology were developed to give players with limiting motor conditions or restrictions a chance to play their favorite games.
This approach was based on the traditional concept of disability that revolved around strictly medical terms, such as blindness or the inability to properly hold a controller. The medical model is still considered correct in many respects, and millions around the world have benefited from the solutions it has helped develop. However, that model is too narrow and leads to a very limited understanding of UX design.
For years, the most common way to make games more accessible was creating special controllers that allowed people with disabilities to get a more comfortable grip, or provide input alternatives for those with limited mobility. Controllers with oversized buttons, footswitches, and eye-tracking technology were developed to give players with limiting motor conditions or restrictions a chance to play their favorite games.
This approach was based on the traditional concept of disability that revolved around strictly medical terms, such as blindness or the inability to properly hold a controller. The medical model is still considered correct in many respects, and millions around the world have benefited from the solutions it has helped develop. However, that model is too narrow and leads to a very limited understanding of UX design.
Client-facing content
- The most common way to make games;
- Doodles and animated handwritten elements;
- Despite the clean and spacy UI design;
- The team felt that the website could use some additional decoration elements;
- Used along with large and classic typography.
What is accessibility in video games?
Many games demand taking specific actions or having certain skills, like pushing several buttons in sequence (or smashing them rapidly), having lightning-fast reflexes, or the ability to recall vital information. These elements usually make games exciting and fun to play. But these types of activity aren’t available for everyone, talking about both mental and physical states.
Accessibility in video games means the creation of user interfaces that eliminate all the possible limitations for people who have certain disabilities.
How should gaming studios approach accessibility?
- The most common way to make games;
- Doodles and animated handwritten elements;
- Despite the clean and spacy UI design;
- The team felt that the website could use some additional decoration elements;
- Used along with large and classic typography.
