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Game accessibility

Also known as: Gaming accessibility, Accessible gaming

The practice of designing video games and interactive entertainment so they can be played and enjoyed by people with disabilities. Game accessibility encompasses a wide range of considerations including remappable controls for motor impairments, audio cues and sonification for visual impairments, captioning and visual indicators for hearing impairments, difficulty adjustments and cognitive load management for cognitive disabilities, and photosensitivity options for seizure safety. Beyond direct play, game accessibility also includes the spectator experience — making game streaming, esports viewing, and community participation accessible. Industry frameworks such as the Xbox Accessibility Guidelines (XAGs) and the Game Accessibility Guidelines provide structured guidance. The growing recognition that games are a significant form of cultural and social participation has driven increased attention to ensuring disabled people can both play and watch games.

Category: design · human-computer interaction

Related: Universal design · Sonification · Captioning · Audio description

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