During the Game Developers Conference, The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced the Accessible Games Initiative. The Accessible Games Initiative helps provide information about a game’s accessibility for consumers in the form of official tags.
The initiative launches with 24 different tags that highlight specific accessibility features, such as subtitles, clear text, narrated menus, difficulty settings, and save anytime. The full list of descriptive tags can be found at the official website.
The Accessible Games Initiative was developed by six major gaming companies: Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft. Other companies such as Square Enix and Warner Bros. Games have also joined the initiative. The initiative will be officially managed by the ESA.
Participating companies can place the accessibility tags similar to ESRB ratings: prominently displayed on game boxes and digital store pages. Like ESRB ratings, the tags will help provide consumers, including parents and caregivers, additional information and context when making a game purchase.
The tags are entirely voluntarily, and were developed with guidance from accessibility advocacy groups, developers, and players.
“Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO, ESA. “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.”
