Microsoft announced three new accessibility features for game development on Xbox, including the all-new 'Gaming Accessibility Resource Hub.' This hub will launch in May of 2022 and it will provide game developers with a range of resources to improve accessibility. The resources include guidance, training courses, talks, and engines that are each effective at increasing accessibility.
The other two announcements from Microsoft are the 'Accessibility Feature' tags and the 'Xbox Accessibility Guidelines' (XAGs) 3.0 update. The Accessibility Feature tags provide both incentives for developers to make their games more accessible and a convenient way for individuals to browse games with more accessibility options. The Xbox store can now be sorted by these tags, filtering out games that are harder to play or learn. Lastly, the XAGs 3.0 now includes mental health information, motion sickness, text sizing, and other necessary features in order for a game to qualify as accessible.
Accessible Game Development Features
Microsoft Announced Three New Accessibility Features for Devs
Trend Themes
1. Gaming Accessibility Resource Hub - Creating an online hub of resources for developers to increase accessibility in games presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the gaming industry, particularly in designing games for a more inclusive audience.
2. Accessibility Feature Tags - Providing incentives for developers to make their games more accessible and creating a convenient way for individuals to browse games with more accessibility options has the potential to transform the gaming industry to become more accessible to everyone.
3. Xbox Accessibility Guidelines 3.0 - Including necessary features such as mental health information, motion sickness, and text sizing in the Xbox Accessibility Guidelines 3.0 presents opportunities for innovation to meet the accessibility needs of a wider range of gamers.
Industry Implications
1. Gaming Industry - The gaming industry can benefit from disruptive innovations that make games more accessible, inclusive, and appealing to a wider range of gamers.
2. Tech Industry - The tech industry can explore more accessibility solutions for products and services that cater to a diverse range of consumers, including those with disabilities.
3. Healthcare Industry - The healthcare industry can learn from the innovations in accessibility features for video games, and apply them to making healthcare services more accessible to patients with disabilities.