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

Under this initiative, participating game companies will utilize a set of 24 approved tags to label their games. These tags will be displayed alongside game details on digital storefronts and product pages, offering consumers clear insights into the accessibility features available in each game.

Stanley Pierre-Louis, ESA's president and CEO, highlighted the significance 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 participation is voluntary. Initially, the tags will be available only in English, with potential for additional tags or modifications to the existing set over time.

Accessible Games Initiative tags:

Auditory Features

Tag

Multiple Volume Controls

Description

Separate volume controls are available for different types of sounds, allowing for customization of music, speech, sound effects, background audio, text-to-speech audio, accessibility audio cues, and voice chat. Additionally, a master volume control adjusts all game sounds simultaneously.

Tag

Mono Sound

Description

Enables gameplay with mono audio, sending the same audio to all channels, which is ideal for players using a single earpiece or those with hearing impairments.

Tag

Stereo Sound

Description

Supports stereo audio, providing directional sound cues from left to right, enhancing the gaming experience without vertical or depth audio cues.

Tag

Surround Sound

Description

Facilitates surround sound, delivering audio cues from any direction, enriching the immersive experience of the game.

Tag

Narrated Menus

Description

Allows the use of screen readers or voice narration for navigating menus and receiving notifications, ensuring full accessibility and control over interactions and context changes.

Tag

Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech*

Description

Provides text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality for in-game chats, enabling real-time narration of text chats and transcription of voice chats.

*This tag includes both auditory and visual features.

Gameplay Features

Tag

Difficulty Levels

Description

Offers multiple difficulty settings, including at least one less challenging option, with clear descriptions of the differences between each level.

Tag

Save Anytime

Description

Allows manual saving of game progress at any point, except during specific scenarios like game loading or death animations that could cause issues.

Input Features

Tag

Basic Input Remapping

Description

Permits the rearrangement of button controls, offering flexibility in control customization, distinct from the more comprehensive "Full Input Remapping" tag.

Tag

Full Input Remapping

Description

Enables complete remapping of all game controls across supported input devices such as keyboards, mice, controllers, and on-screen controls, including the ability to swap controller stick functions.

Tag

Stick Inversion

Description

Allows for the inversion of directional inputs like thumbsticks, affecting up/down and left/right movement in the game.

Tag

Playable without Button Holds

Description

Facilitates gameplay without the need to hold down buttons, though some analog inputs may still require holding.

Tag

Playable without Rapid Button Presses

Description

Eliminates the need for repetitive button actions like mashing or quick-time events, making the game more accessible.

Tag

Playable with Keyboard Only

Description

Supports gameplay using only a keyboard, ensuring compatibility with adaptive technologies.

Tag

Playable with Mouse Only

Description

Allows gameplay using solely a mouse, accommodating players using mouse-mapped adaptive devices.

Tag

Playable with Buttons Only

Description

Enables gameplay using only digital inputs like buttons or keys, without requiring pressure-sensitive controls.

Tag

Playable with Touch Only

Description

Supports gameplay using touch controls exclusively, without the need for non-touch inputs like buttons or analog sticks.

Tag

Playable Without Motion Controls

Description

Allows gameplay without the use of motion-sensitive controls.

Tag

Playable Without Touch Controls

Description

Facilitates gameplay without the need for touchpads or touchscreens.

Visual Features

Tag

Chat Speech-to-Text & Text-to-Speech*

Description

Provides text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality for in-game chats, enabling real-time narration of text chats and transcription of voice chats.

*This tag includes both auditory and visual features.

Tag

Clear Text

Description

Ensures text in menus and settings is of a reasonable size with adjustable contrast, using less stylized fonts for better readability.

Tag

Large Text

Description

Allows for the use of larger font sizes in menus and settings, improving visibility for players with visual impairments.

Tag

Large & Clear Subtitles

Description

Provides subtitles for all dialogue, ensuring they are of a reasonable size, with adjustable background transparency, and do not overlap with critical game elements.

Tag

Color Alternatives

Description

Offers alternatives to color-based communication, using shapes, patterns, icons, or text to convey information, ensuring accessibility for colorblind players.

Tag

Camera Comfort

Description

Minimizes or allows adjustment of camera effects like shaking or motion blur that could cause discomfort, enhancing the gaming experience for players sensitive to such effects.