Xbox is committed to enhancing gaming accessibility for over 429 million players with disabilities. By providing access to innovative hardware like the Xbox Adaptive Joystick, Xbox aims to create inclusive gaming experiences that cater to individual needs.
Game Accessibility Feature Tags
In November 2021, Xbox introduced Game Accessibility Feature Tags to provide players with a standardized way to describe accessibility features across various games. This initiative addresses the challenge players face due to the lack of a universal language for accessibility options in gaming.
Accessible Games Initiative
During the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Xbox announced its participation in the Accessible Games Initiative, a collaborative effort alongside Electronic Arts, Google, Nintendo of America, Ubisoft, and other industry leaders. This initiative, led by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), aims to provide gamers with transparent information regarding accessibility features available in video games through a tagging system.
Integration of Tags
To avoid duplication and enhance clarity, Xbox will phase out its existing Game Accessibility Feature Tags, replacing them with the new Accessible Games Initiative tags. Tags that do not have equivalents will remain to continue supporting players with diverse needs. This consolidated tagging system will simplify the process for players seeking accessible games.
Collaboration and Future Goals
The collaboration aims to inspire developers to not only adopt these tags for inclusivity but also to encourage greater integration of accessibility features in game design. Xbox is actively working with developers globally to implement these tags in various titles, ensuring players can easily find relevant information across Xbox digital platforms.
Finding Accessibility Tags
Players can access tag descriptions on the Accessible Games Initiative website, allowing them to understand what each tag signifies without guessing. This empowers players to make informed purchasing decisions based on the accessibility features that matter to them.
For additional information and updates, players can visit the Accessible Games Initiative website to explore the available tags and learn more about the initiative’s objectives.