Celebrating Accessibility in Gaming: Updates from Xbox and Beyond
Every December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is commemorated to foster awareness and understanding, aiming for equal participation of people with disabilities in all parts of society. At Xbox, we hold the belief that playing games is a vital part of modern life, and it should be accessible to as many people as possible. Our goal is to craft inclusive gaming experiences that empower players to enjoy games in their preferred ways, with their desired communities, and to break down barriers to accessibility in gaming.
In recognition of the contributions made by the Gaming and Disability community, Xbox continues to strive towards creating more accessible experiences. This effort involves collaboration across various projects, including the work of individuals like Stan Adermann, a Principal Firmware Engineer at Xbox. Stan’s personal experience with mild Essential Tremor and hand pain from years of software development has inspired innovations in controller remapping features.
"My disability causes mild Essential Tremor, coupled with pain in my hands from years of software development," Stan shared. "Certain games aggravated these issues, prompting me to explore what could make using controllers on PCs easier for players with similar challenges. We began with mapping mouse movements to controllers and adding toggle holds. Mapping joystick movements to buttons or keyboard keys was also crucial."
From the introduction of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick and 3D printable files for adaptive thumbstick toppers, available through the Xbox Design Lab, to further updates, we aim to eliminate barriers for more players across our platform, hardware, and game titles. We celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities whose insights have been instrumental in shaping inclusive gaming experiences.
Enhanced Remapping Options for Xbox Controllers
Remapping is a key aspect of accessibility that allows players to change the default function of specific keys on keyboards, mice, or controllers to better align with their preferences or needs. To enhance input remapping flexibility, new capabilities have been added to the Xbox Accessories App for the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller and the Xbox Adaptive Controller:
- Toggle Holds: This feature simplifies controller usage for players who find it difficult to hold button presses for extended periods. Similar to sticky keys on a computer, it allows players to set any button or port on the Xbox Adaptive Controller, Xbox Adaptive Joystick, or Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller to stay ‘pressed’ until pressed again to release.
- Map Stick Movement to Button Presses: Now, players can map directional movements (up, down, left, right) on their Elite Series 2 thumbsticks or external joysticks connected to the Xbox Adaptive Controller to button or keyboard presses. For instance, moving the stick upwards can be mapped to the equivalent of pressing the "B" button on a traditional controller.
- Map Mouse Inputs to Controller: Thumbstick or joystick movements can now be mapped to mouse cursor movements, with buttons mapped to right, middle, and left mouse clicks. This feature allows players to use their controllers as a mouse and keyboard equivalent for both gaming and non-gaming scenarios on PC. For example, players could use an Xbox Adaptive Controller to view a game guide on YouTube during gameplay breaks, create a PowerPoint presentation, or check emails.
- Map Hat Switch to Alternate Joystick: For external joysticks with hat switches, players can map the hat switch to function as the opposite stick when connected to the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Visual Accessibility Updates in Diablo IV
Accessibility was a top priority for the development team of Diablo IV, led by Drew McCrory, the lead accessibility developer. In October, the team introduced additional options to enhance the game’s existing suite of accessibility features. These new features primarily focus on aiding players who are blind or have low vision:
- Auto-Pin: This feature automatically places a map pin on the destination of your selected quest or task from your in-game Journal.
- Audio Navigation Assistance: When enabled, this feature provides spatial audio cues that guide players toward their map pin destination. Combined with auto-pin navigation, it allows players to navigate through quest content using audio cues.
- Compass: The compass feature adds an on-screen HUD element that orbits the player, pointing towards the placed in-world pin. Along with auto-pin, it offers consistent guidance to the player.
Diablo IV has been nominated in the "Innovation in Accessibility" category for the 2024 Game Awards. More details about these updates can be found on the Blizzard blog.
Accessibility Innovations in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has introduced new features such as asymmetrical hearing compensation, an improved high contrast mode, and an updated accessibility settings menu. During its development, the team consulted with accessibility advocates to build and test these features. The game also supports all familiar features from Modern Warfare III, including reduced motion blur and joystick setting options.
Additionally, new arachnophobia settings allow players to alter the appearance of spider-like enemies. Additional HUD layout options have been added, and Intelligent Movement settings provide further support for players to customize their experience to meet their needs. The team has been recognized for its efforts and nominated for an "Innovation in Accessibility" award by The Game Awards. More information can be found on the Call of Duty blog.
Honoring Ibelin in World of Warcraft
To celebrate the release of "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" on Netflix and honor the life of Mats “Ibelin” Steen, a Norwegian WoW player with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, World of Warcraft released the Reven pack in Modern and Classic World of Warcraft. "Reven" means "the fox" in Norwegian, and players can purchase this companion to support CureDuchenne, a global nonprofit leader in research, patient care, and innovation for improving and extending the lives of individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease.
For more information on Microsoft’s approach to Inclusive Design, visit their website dedicated to inclusive design efforts.
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