Accessibility
Accessibility in video games serves multiple important functions, each of which contributes to the overall inclusivity and reach of the game:
Ensures an enjoyable experience for all players, regardless of physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities: While accessibility features are primarily designed with players who have impairments in mind, they often enhance the experience for players without impairments as well. For instance, customizable controls, subtitle options, or adjustable difficulty levels can benefit a wide range of users. The more accessible your game is, the broader the audience you can engage, encompassing players of varying ages, gaming experience, and physical or mental health conditions.
Makes the game playable for players with specific impairments: A single well-implemented accessibility feature can make a significant difference. For example, the inclusion of a colorblind mode, text-to-speech support, or the option to remap controls can transform an otherwise unplayable game into one that is fully enjoyable for a player with specific needs. These features not only demonstrate consideration and inclusivity but also widen the market for your game.
Significantly influences the overall gameplay experience and playtime: Accessibility features can affect the amount of time players spend in the game. If a game is overly difficult and lacks accessible options,
The following tips outlined in this chapter will provide guidance on how to implement effective accessibility features and ensure your game accommodates the diverse needs of the player base.
Give Players a Fair Chance to Succeed
Explore how to simulate aspects of the real world in a way that remains fair to players. Learn how to design difficulty levels that provide an equitable experience for diverse audiences.
Test Players' Life Skills
Learn the importance of incorporating challenges that engage players’ real-world skills and discover how these elements can enrich the gameplay experience.
Add Accessibility Options
Discover a variety of accessibility features that can be incorporated into your game, such as remappable controls, visual and auditory aids, or customizable interface elements.
Allow Players to Change the Game Difficulty
Explore different strategies for implementing difficulty adjustment systems that empower players to tailor the game to their skill level and preferences.
Make Your Game More or Less Challenging
Learn how to modify your game’s level of difficulty while maintaining fairness and player engagement across different skill levels.
Increase the Difficulty Over Time
Understand why it is important to introduce greater difficulty progressively and discover methods for pacing these challenges in a balanced and rewarding manner.
Be Lenient with Players if They Make a Mistake
Learn how to design forgiving gameplay systems that distinguish between casual and hardcore experiences, ensuring that players are not unduly penalized for errors.
Avoid Punishing Players When They Don’t Play the Way You Intended
Explore the diversity of valid play styles and understand why players should not be punished for employing creative or unexpected strategies.
Allow Players to Save Their Progress
Understand the importance of enabling players to save their progress, and explore best practices for designing flexible save systems.
Allow Players to Load Their Progress
Learn how to provide players with the ability to load previous game states, supporting their freedom to explore different choices and strategies.
Allow Players to Take a Break
Explore how offering pause or break features within gameplay can contribute to player well-being and encourage sustained engagement with your game.