Microsoft is expanding its accessibility efforts with a new program for evaluating Xbox and computer games. Today, the game accessibility team announced that developers can submit their games to be accessible and tested by players with disabilities. The program was announced along with updates to the Xbox Accessibility Guidelines released in early 2020.
“Developers now have the option to submit their Xbox or PC title to Microsoft and have it analyzed and validated according to the recommendations provided in the XAGs,” says an Xbox blog post published today. The Xbox Accessibility Guidelines provide thorough explanations of inclusive design considerations for developers, and have now been updated to include clearer language, additional context, and implementation examples.
Game test reports include feedback from players with disabilities, as well as links to information on inclusive design, relevant non-profit organizations and accessibility experts. Problems found during the test will be ‘noted with reproduction steps, screenshots and other information to help the developer understand what aspect of a given experience may be a challenge for certain players with disabilities,’ the report said.
More companies have focused on game accessibility in recent years – including Microsoft with the Xbox Adaptive Controller – but there are still few high-profile examples other than The Last of Us Part II. A program like this could potentially lead to more games with a similar range of accessibility options. It is also important for players with disabilities to be able to provide insight, rather than being reckless or designed without consideration.