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Microsoft is expanding its accessibility efforts with a new Xbox and PC game review program. Today, its Game Accessibility Team announced that developers can submit their games to be rated for accessibility and tested by players with disabilities. The program was announced alongside updates to Xbox Accessibility Guidelines released in early 2020.
“Developers now have the option of sending their Xbox or PC title to Microsoft and having it analyzed and validated against the recommendations provided in the XAGs,” said an Xbox blog post published today. The Xbox accessibility guidelines include detailed explanations of inclusive design considerations for developers, and are now updated to include clearer language, additional context, and implementation examples.
Game test reports will include feedback from players with disabilities, as well as links to information on inclusive design, relevant nonprofits and accessibility experts. Any issues found during testing will be “noted along with reproduction steps, screenshots, and other information to help the developer understand what aspect of a given experience may be difficult for some players with disabilities,” the message.
More and 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. The Last of Us Part II. A program like this could potentially lead to more games with such a wide variety of accessibility options. It’s also important for players with disabilities to be able to provide insight, rather than being left out or designed for without their input.
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