[General texts]
[Intro text 1: About the exhibition]
Welcome to the fascinating world of accessibility in games!
Over the Barriers: Game accessibility exhibition presents assistive technologies and accessibility features that can be used by players with disabilities, for example. The exhibition will teach you more about what these technologies and accessibility features are, how they are used and who can benefit from them. You can also try some of the assistive technologies and features.
The exhibition is divided into three parts that deal with assistive technologies and features involving eyesight, hearing and motor skills.
[Introtext 2: Accessibility of Games]
The goal of accessibility in games is that everyone, regardless of their disabilities or functional capacity, would be able to play games. As playing games becomes more and more popular, it is important that everyone has the opportunity to participate in games and gaming culture.
Accessibility in games has only received widespread attention during the past decade. At the moment, many new games have been designed with accessibility in mind. For example, games have implemented accessibility features; these may be any settings that help the player to play the game. However, many games are still missing very simple features, such as language selection or contrast adjustment.
[Vision Table]
[On left]
Gaming equipment
Xbox Series X, Xbox controller
Game and accessibility
Forza Motorsport (2023, Turn 10 Studios).
The eighth instalment in the Forza Motorsport series is a realistic high-speed racing simulator.
The game was released recently and contains plenty of different accessibility settings. In particular with eyesight in mind, the game contains a Blind Driving Assist that, when connected, helps the player to steer the vehicle by means of audio cues. Other useful features include a screen reader, a colour blind mode and various driving assist settings.
Game instructions
Right trigger: Accelerate
Left trigger: Brake
A: Handbrake
Left analogue stick: Steering
Y: Rewind
[Right edge]
Gaming equipment
PlayStation 5, Dual Sense controller
Game and accessibility
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021, Insomniac Games).
The furry alien Ratchet is the star of this family-friendly platform adventure. He needs to travel across universes to save the world.
The game features a versatile selection of accessibility features. For players with visual disabilities, the game contains a high contrast mode, a ledge guard and adjustable subtitles. All of the speech in the game is available in Finnish.
Game instructions
X: Jump
Square: Close combat attack
Triangle: Weapon menu
Circle: Dash
R2: Fire
L2: Aim
R1: Hover boots
Left analogue stick: Move
Right analogue stick: Rotate the camera
[Hearing table]
Gaming equipment
PlayStation 5, Dual Sense controller
Game and accessibility
The Last of Us Part 1 (2022, Naughty Dog).
This exciting adventure contains violence, which is why it is not playable in the exhibition.
The game features a large number of accessibility features for different needs. For example, you can turn on controller vibration for speech and adjust subtitles in various ways to enable a more accessible playing experience.
[Motoric table]
[Left edge]
Gaming equipment
Nintendo Switch, Hori Flex Controller, Ultrastik 360
Game and accessibility
Super Mario Odyssey (2017, Nintendo).
The world-famous plumber Mario takes his adventure into a three-dimensional world. He needs to save Princess Peach from the claws of the evil Bowser.
This game does not feature many accessibility features, but the available Assist Mode can help some players. For example, the mode gives the character more lives and allows lives to recover when the character stands still.
Game instructions
A: Jump
X: Action button
ZL: Crouch
Left analogue stick: Move
Right analogue stick: Rotate the camera
[Right edge]
Gaming equipment
Xbox Series X, Xbox Adaptive Controller, Ultrastik 360
Game and accessibility
Overcooked! All You Can Eat (2020, Ghost Town Games). The game is about cooking against the clock in funny environments.
This game features an Assist Mode that makes it easier by adding cooking time and increasing the awarded points. Furthermore, you only need three buttons to play, which makes it easier.
Game instructions
A: Raise/Lower
X: Cut/Throw
B: Dash
Left analogue stick: Move
Games and accessibility in general
Accessibility in games means different things for different target groups. Some of the accessibility solutions are designed for a specific group of players, but the solutions can help all players. For example, many people use subtitles when playing!
An accessibility feature may be any setting that helps the player to play the game. Some users may benefit from subtitles, some may require a colour blind mode and others will find it useful to adjust the vibration. Some games have specially named accessibility features, while others include them in the other settings of the game.
For people with visual disabilities, being able to distinguish between the essential game contents is important. They may benefit from the following accessibility features, for example:
- Colour blindness mode, which adjusts the colours on the screen according to a specific type of colour blindness.
- Colour swapping, which allows the player to choose the colours of enemies or collectible items, for example.
- Zoom or icon zoom, which allows smaller contents to stand out better.
- High contrast mode, which makes the game largely black & white and uses a clear colour highlight for essential game contents such as characters, collectible items and the correct route.
- Sound cues; some games even allow for completing the entire game using sound cues and navigation assistants.
Players with hearing disabilities will often need to receive the essential information by means other than sound. They may benefit from the following settings, for example:
- Visual cues that indicate game events occurring off screen, such as an incoming attack or the correct route.
- Vibration and haptic feedback may indicate incoming danger or ambient sounds.
- Subtitles and closed captions. All essential information communicated via sound should be visible on the screen as text or other cues. Text can also describe the feelings of characters.
- Subtitles including the speaker’s name will make it easier to follow the discussion and story, as the name will indicate who is speaking.
Mobility and motor disabilities may influence controlling the game and using the controller. In addition to assistive technologies, players may benefit from the following accessibility features, for example:
- Aim assist and movement assists can help during action scenes, challenging platforming and avoiding ledges.
- Remapping keys allows the player to choose the jump button, for example.
- Button toggles and simplified commands that allow for avoiding holding keys pressed, pressing two keys simultaneously and rapid button tapping, for example.
- Adjusting enemy characteristics such as awareness and slowing down time will give the player more time to carry out the necessary actions.
Cognitive disabilities may affect concentration in the game, in which case some of the accessibility features may be useful:
- Marking the route with clear colour codes and visual clues and navigation assists that turn the character to face the correct way or help the player to stay on the correct route.
- Clear instructions on the various functions and assignments.
- Logbooks that help bring to mind the discovered objects, past conversations, encountered characters and the latest events in the game.
- Cues and alternatives for puzzles to avoid the player getting stuck.
- Removing background animations in order to allow the player to focus on the most important tasks.
Furthermore, some games have content features that are important for many players:
- Flashing lights can be turned off.
- The amount of blood in the game can be adjusted.
- Objects related to common phobias, such as spiders, can be turned off.
- Content warnings are available for scary or disturbing scenes.
[Equipment texts]
One handed controllers
What is this?
There are various one handed controllers available. Some allow for reconfiguring the controller or adding buttons, for example. Some controllers allow for adding a separate shell that enables one-handed play.
The controller is intended for players who can only use one hand when playing.
Price
The price varies between €90 and €240.
Logitech Gaming Kit
What is this?
The Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit is a collection of various buttons that are suited for different needs. The kit contains a total of 12 buttons with freely configurable functions and placement. Various buttons are included: large, light and easy to press buttons as well as buttons that are suitable for use with the foot or chin.
The buttons are intended for users of adaptive controllers who require easy-to-use additional buttons.
Compatibility
The Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit does not operate as a controller by itself; it needs to be connected to the Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation Access Controller or Hori Flex Controller, for example.
Price
€100
Xbox Adaptive Controller
What is this?
An adaptive controller designed by Microsoft that contains arrow keys and two large buttons. The Xbox Adaptive Controller allows for connecting additional buttons and sticks, thereby enabling the player to configure and place the buttons according to their needs.
The adaptive controller helps players who find it challenging to press small buttons. However, some sort of movement of the hands, feet or head is required in order to activate the buttons.
Compatibility
Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC.
Price
€100
HORI Flex Controller
What is this?
An adaptive controller developed by HORI that has ten gameplay buttons and menu buttons. The Flex Controller allows for connecting additional buttons and sticks, thereby enabling the player to configure and place the buttons according to their needs.
The adaptive controller helps players who find it challenging to press small buttons. However, some sort of movement of the hands, feet or head is required in order to activate the buttons.
Compatibility
Nintendo Switch, PC.
Price
€240
QuadStick
What is this?
The QuadStick is a mouth-operated game controller. Depending on the model, the controller has between one and four tubes, and sipping or puffing on them generates different button commands. Furthermore, the mouthpiece can be moved for 360 degrees, allowing it to operate as a control stick. The models differ from each other in terms of the number of tubes and the rigidity of the control stick.
The QuadStick can benefit players who find it hard to use a standard controller. The QuadStick allows for playing with your breath and the muscles in your mouth and neck.
Compatibility
PC, PlayStation consoles, Nintendo consoles, Xbox consoles. Some of the consoles require a suitable adapter.
Price
QuadStick Singleton €449, QuadStick Original €449, QuadStick FPS €549
PlayStation Access Controller
What is this?
An adaptive controller developed by PlayStation that features eight configurable buttons and a fixed control stick. The controller can be connected to another PlayStation Access controller or a standard PlayStation 5 controller. The controller also allows for connecting additional buttons and sticks, thereby enabling the player to configure and place the buttons according to their needs.
An adaptive controller can help players who find it hard to use a standard controller. However, some sort of movement of the hands, feet or head is required in order to activate the buttons.
Compatibility
PlayStation 5
Price
€90
bHaptics
What is this?
Products from bHaptics are wearable accessories that provide haptic feedback, such as vibration, when playing. Their product range includes vests, sleeves, gloves, footwear and visors. The haptic feedback is based on location, indicating to the player where the events in the game take place. Haptic feedback can also occur according to the sounds heard in the game and their intensity.
Products from bHaptics are especially useful for players with hearing disabilities, as they replace sound with haptic feedback on the events in the game. The products can also benefit players with visual disabilities.
Compatibility
PC, VR devices, consoles
Price
Each accessory is sold separately. The price is €200 to €500 per accessory.
Tobii Eyetracker
What is this?
The Tobii EyeTracker 5 is a camera controller that is attached to a computer to track the player’s expression and face. The Tobii Eyetracker 5 follows the movements of the eyes and head, executing various game commands on their basis. Eye tracking is especially useful for aiming and moving the mouse cursor.
Eyesight control helps players who find it hard to use a standard controller.
Compatibility
PC, Nintendo Switch (with the Hori Flex Controller)
Price
€199
Joysticks
What are these?
There are various shapes and sizes of joysticks on the market, for every taste and specific need. Some joysticks may contain buttons, while others simply contain the stick. The joysticks differ in terms of sensitivity, fasteners and mounting methods.
Joysticks are mainly suited for players using adaptive controllers and players who find it hard to use a standard controller.
Compatibility
Joysticks are an excellent addition to adaptive controllers, such as the Xbox Adaptive Controller, HORI Flex Controller and PlayStation Access Controller. Furthermore, most joysticks can be used with a PC.
Price
Prices vary between €50 and €300.
Adapters
What are these?
Adaptive controllers and gaming-related assistive technologies do not work with all consoles. In this case, players can make use of adapters. The adapters “cheat” by making a console believe that a standard game controller is being used, even if the player is actually using an adaptive controller. The different adapters are suited for various controllers and consoles. Adapters can also be configured for the needs of players in terms of sensitivity and button commands, for example.
Adapters are suitable for players using adaptive controllers with consoles that do not accept them. For example, the QuadStick controller can be used with the Xbox Series S/X console.
Compatibility
PlayStation and Xbox consoles, depending on the adapter and controller.
Price
Between €80 and €160.