GASIG Top Ten
International Game Developers Association
Top 10 accessibility features for games:
Most up to date list here: http://tim.thechases.com/top10_2.pdf
Top Ten
- allow all controls (mouse, keyboard, gamepad) to be remapped
- add closed-captioning for all dialog and important sound-effects
- provide documentation in an accessible format (HTML or plain-text)
- provide assist modes (auto-targeting, training options, etc)
- provide a broad range of difficulty levels from incredibly simple to difficult
- make interface fonts scalable
- allow for high-contrast color schemes
- add audio tags to all significant elements (actors, doors, items, resulting actions, etc) in true spatial 3D
- allow for a varied range of control over play-speed
- announce accessibility features on packaging
Previous Top Ten ideas:
1. Volume controls. Should enable Individual volume controls over MUSIC and SFX from OFF to full volume. These should take effect over the entire game, menus included. These can benefit deaf and learning disabled gamers.
2. User definable controls. Ideally featuring the ability to map multiple controls to individual buttons, to enable rapid fire (if appropriate) and the ability to use digital controls in place of analogue controls. The reason for the latter is that many analogue controls require too fine a level of control for many disabled gamers.
3. Broad difficulty level options. Perhaps ranging from 1-10, 1 being the easiest, 10 the hardest. Level 1 should seem be extremely easy for the majority of gamers. Games that have lives or time limits could offer a wide range of choices here too, making game more of a pleasure than a pain.
4. Subtitles for dialogue and sound effects.
5. Trainer/help modes. Perhaps an option you can turn on that 'holds your hand' through a game, and points out various features to make them easier to understand.
6. Easy to navigate menus. Quick start for a game, minimal number of controls necessary to navigate.
7. More spoken text. Option for all text to be read out loud.
8. Speed control over game. Variations from very slow to normal.
9. Thought for partially sighted gamers (e.g. adjustable text size / colour scheme etc).
10. Simplified control modes. Simplified controls for gamers unable to use many controls.
Old list - Barrie Ellis - OneSwitch.org.uk
Updates
2nd March, 2006
