Gamers with accessibility needs have found the playing landscape much more hospitable in recent years, with console makers like Microsoft, and game developers large and small, focusing more on making it easier to play their games.
The latest big news in accessible gaming comes from Electronic Arts, the industry giant behind “The Sims,” “Madden NFL” and “Medal of Honor.”
The company has just opened up 23 of its accessibility-related gaming patents to anyone who wants to develop or enhance a game to make it more accessible. Tech expert Omar Gallaga says it’s the latest, and largest, release of accessibility tech from EA to date.
Highlights from this segment:
– EA’s “patent pledge” has led to the release of accessibility-related patents since 2021.
– Patents released address technologies related to voice-activated character control, ping systems in action games, color blindness adjustments and a plugin for Unreal Engine 5 related to photo sensitivity (sensitivity to light).
– “Apex Legends” is among EA’s own titles that has been praised for its accessibility.
