ESA Launches Accessible Gaming Initiative to Boost Visibility of Accessibility Features

The Accessible Games Initiative, a project aimed at improving the accessibility of video games for players with disabilities, was launched by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA).

The initiative, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts, seeks to make it easier for players to identify key accessibility features in games.

The Accessible Games Initiative introduces a set of 24 standardized tags that developers can implement to highlight specific accessibility features. 

These features include essential options like narrated menus, input remapping, subtitle formats, and color alternatives, tools designed to make games more accessible for players with visual, auditory, and physical impairments. With input from disability advocacy groups and game developers, these tags aim to address a wide range of player needs.

“By providing clear, easy-to-understand labels for accessibility features, the ESA hopes to empower developers and players alike,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO of ESA. “Tens of millions of Americans have disabilities and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games. This initiative will help us break down those barriers.”

The new tags will be available for voluntary use by developers, and they will be prominently displayed on digital storefronts, product pages, and digital catalogs.

It is worth noting that in addition to the core founding partners, Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft, the initiative has already attracted the support of Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games. 

Full list of Accessible Games Initiative Tags:

Auditory Features:

• Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech allows the use of text-to-speech and speech-to-text for game chats with other players.
• Mono Sound lets gamers play with mono audio.
• Multiple Volume Controls make separated volume controls available for different types of sounds.
• Narrated Menus lets gamers use screen readers or voice narration for menus and notifications.
• Stereo Sound lets users play with stereo audio.
• Surround Sound lets gamers play with surround sound.

Gameplay Features:

• Difficulty Levels lets players select from multiple difficulty options, including at least one option that reduces the intensity of challenges.
• Save Anytime lets gamers manually save progress at any time.

Input Features:

• Basic Input Remapping lets gamers rearrange the button controls.
• Full Input Remapping lets players choose which action in the game is assigned to which control.
• Playable with Buttons Only lets gamers play using only buttons where the amount of pressure doesn’t affect the controls.
• Playable with Keyboard Only lets users play only using the keyboard.
• Playable with Mouse Only lets users play only using the mouse.
• Playable with Touch Only lets users play only using the touch controls.
• Playable without Button Holds lets gamers play without button holds.
• Playable without Motion Controls lets users play without using motion controls.
• Playable without Rapid Button Presses lets players avoid repetitive button actions like button mashing and quick-time events.
• Playable without Touch Controls lets gamers play without using touchpads or touchscreens.
• Stick Inversion lets players change how direction inputs such as thumbsticks affect game movement in the up and down and left and right directions.

Visual Features:

• Camera Comfort implies that no camera effects that may cause discomfort or harm (e.g., nausea, headaches), or those effects can be turned off or adjusted.
• Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech lets players use text-to-speech and speech-to-text for game chats with other players.
• Clear Text ensures that text in menus, control panels, and settings is a reasonable size and contrast can be adjusted.
• Color Alternatives ensure that color is not used to communicate important information or can be adjusted.
• Large & Clear Subtitles ensures that subtitles are available for all dialogue.
• Large Text lets users use a large font size for text in menus, control panels, and settings.