Basic

Simple considerations or design decisions that apply to most game mechanics. Not every guideline will apply to your game, but those that do will benefit large numbers of gamers, and are easy to implement if thought about early enough.

If you’re looking for a few quick ideas of what to get started with, the four most commonly complained about accessibility issues (source) are remapping, text size, colorblindness, and subtitle presentation. If you can address those, you’ll make a significant difference to a large number of players.

Motor

(Control / mobility)

• Include an option to adjust the game speed
• Include toggle/slider for any haptics
• Ensure interactive elements / virtual controls are large and well spaced, particularly on small or touch screens
• Include an option to adjust the sensitivity of controls
• Ensure that all areas of the user interface can be accessed using the same input method as the gameplay
• Ensure controls are as simple as possible, or provide a simpler alternative
• Allow controls to be remapped / reconfigured

Cognitive

(Thought / memory / processing information)

• Avoid flickering images and repetitive patterns
• Allow players to progress through text prompts at their own pace
• Include interactive tutorials
• Use simple clear language
• Allow the game to be started without the need to navigate through multiple levels of menus
• Use simple clear text formatting
• Use an easily readable default font size

Vision

• Provide high contrast between text/UI and background
• Use simple clear text formatting
• Use an easily readable default font size
• Avoid VR simulation sickness triggers
• If the game uses field of view (3D engine only), set an appropriate default for the expected viewing environment
• Ensure no essential information is conveyed by a fixed colour alone
• Ensure interactive elements / virtual controls are large and well spaced, particularly on small or touch screens

Hearing

• If any subtitles / captions are used, present them in a clear, easy to read way
• Ensure no essential information is conveyed by sounds alone
• Provide separate volume controls or mutes for effects, speech and background / music
• Provide subtitles for all important speech

Speech

• Ensure that speech input is not required, and included only as a supplementary / alternative input method

General

• Solicit accessibility feedback
• Ensure that all settings are saved/remembered
• Provide details of accessibility features in-game
• Provide details of accessibility features on packaging and/or website
• Offer a wide choice of difficulty levels

* Sources of data on most commonly complained about issues are publicly through tracking of social media mentions, and privately through collation of input sent through publisher feedback routes. Most complained about is not necessarily the same as most needed, some players through impairment or stigma are less able to raise issues. But addressing the four most commonly complained about can provide a useful starting point.