Video games are the only medium where you can truly experience unrestricted play. Yet, for the hundreds of millions of people living with a disability, navigating the accessibility features available to them within video games can be a challenge, especially without a common language used between developers and platforms.
At We The Collective, we believe accessibility isn't just a box to tick—it’s a way to empower all users to connect on their own terms. So, when the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) approached us to develop the online presence for their Accessible Games Initiative, we knew we needed to deliver a masterclass in accessible design to help the players who would benefit more fully experience the power of play.
With the Accessible Games Initiative, the ESA brought together some of the biggest names in video games in a cross-industry project to create a common language for accessibility features with a new tagging system available on product pages, digital storefronts and digital catalogues.
That meant we were working alongside some of the biggest video game companies in the world, ensuring every stakeholder was heard and their input reflected in the final design.
Beyond helping launch the Accessible Games Initiative, our goal was to inspire action from all players, storefronts and developers to advocate for inclusive design and celebrate the innovations that allow all people to play.
By integrating strong UX, UI and WCAG principles, we used the power of intentional, accessible design to help ensure that everyone has the power to play.
Accessibility is a foundational value for We The Collective and integral to the digital experiences we create. Our approach goes beyond meeting minimum standards–we strive to deliver equivalent digital experiences so every single user, regardless of their accessibility needs, can experience what we build to the fullest extent.
This was especially important in the development of accessiblegames.com, as the site was meant to inform players with accessibility needs of the initiative, while also educating and inspiring developers and storefronts to participate.
In working with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a client with a strong understanding and advocacy for accessibility, we knew that creating an accessible, engaging, fun and interesting digital experience for all users and user needs was a shared priority.
From the outset, we brought our collective expertise within the accessibility space and video game space to early concepts and ideas, while integrating the accessibility standards outlined by the ESA. Additionally, we explored aesthetics inherent to the video game industry in order to appeal to the unique player audience and represent them authentically.
With some of the world’s largest game developers involved in the initiative, including Nintendo, Microsoft, Electronic Arts and more, one of our biggest challenges was navigating stakeholder input while honoring our vision. Each of the contributing members had specific stylistic preferences and requirements that needed to be balanced thoughtfully in the final design to ensure we achieved our accessibility goals. Additionally, developing a platform with an intentionally designed content management system was necessary to ensure that the integrity of the site’s accessibility wouldn’t be compromised by additional content.
Thorough quality assurance (QA) testing was done by our team to ensure that our technical accessibility features functioned seamlessly and accommodated all use cases. This included clear legibility in zoomed views, ease of use with screen readers and assistive technologies, and robust contrast controls.
Ultimately, the site achieved a Web Content Accessibility Guideline rating of 2.2AA, exceeding the standards outlined by the ESA and accommodating the parameters of all stakeholders under one creative expression of thoughtful, accessible design.
The Accessible Games Initiative and website were launched at the Game Developer’s Conference (GDC) in March of this year to drive action where it mattered most: among industry leaders and developers who are shaping the future of video games.
Responses from the Entertainment Software Association, industry, media and players were overwhelmingly positive, and key results from the launch included:
Most importantly, we ensured those who could benefit most from this initiative could learn more through the power of intentional, accessible design.
