The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the launch of the Accessible Games Initiative, a cross-industry effort to provide consumers with clear information about the accessibility features available in video games. The initiative was announced at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) by the ESA and representatives from five founding member companies: Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, and Ubisoft.
The primary purpose of the Accessible Games Initiative is to help provide clear information about whether a specific video game has accessibility features and what those features are. The initiative will launch with 24 “tags,” which include criteria for tags such as clear text, large and clear subtitles, narrated menus, stick inversion, and save anytime.
The ESA President, Stanley Pierre-Louis, stated that tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games. He added that the initiative demonstrates how impactful they can be when working together in their industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play.
The Accessible Games Initiative will be managed by the ESA, and additional companies have already joined the initiative, including Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games. The tags are launching in U.S.-English, and their implementation will be determined on a company-by-company basis and is always voluntary.
The initiative’s primary goal is to provide clear information about accessibility features, making it easier for players to make informed purchasing decisions. The tags can be found on participating companies’ digital storefronts, product pages, and digital catalogues. In addition to player-facing definitions, the initiative also provides criteria for developers to use the tags and help them develop their games with accessibility in mind.
For more information about the Accessible Games Initiative, visit accessiblegames.com or the ESA’s website.
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/entertainment-software-association-introduces-accessible-191500983.html