PlayStation is making strides in the gaming world with their commitment to accessibility options. The latest development is the addition of accessibility tags to PS5 consoles globally this week. Senior VP of Platform Experience shared on the PlayStation Blog how this new feature will work and its benefits to gamers.
What are Accessibility Tags?
Accessibility Tags provide developers with a platform to provide details about the various accessibility features that their games support. These tags will be visible on a game’s hub page on the PlayStation Store. The tags can be accessed by pressing the triangle button, and a list of supported accessibility features will be displayed for the game.
PlayStation has created more than 50 tags spread across six categories to help developers provide a comprehensive list of accessibility features for their games. These categories include:
- Visual accessibility: Text size, color alternatives, audio cues, and directional audio indicators
- Audio: Volume controls, screen readers, and visual cue alternatives
- Subtitle and caption options: Subtitle size, clear captions, and large captions
- Control options: Button remapping, thumbstick sensitivity, and ability to adjust button hold, rapid button presses, or motion control
- Gameplay options: Difficulty settings, skippable puzzles, simplified quick-time events, and game speed
- Online communication options: Text and voice chat transcription and ping communication
How will it work?
If the PlayStation Store has both PS5 and PS4 versions of a game, then users can compare the tags for both versions. The goal is to help gamers with disabilities make informed decisions about which games to buy based on the accessibility features that are most crucial to them. This will allow gamers to play games that cater to their specific gaming needs, reducing frustration, and making the gaming experience much more enjoyable.
The tags will roll out in phases, with first-party PlayStation games taking priority. Some games that will receive these tags include Ghost of Tsushima, God of War Ragnarok, and Returnal.
Sony’s Commitment to Accessibility
Sony has been at the forefront of accessibility in the gaming industry, pushing various initiatives to add accessibility options to games, including the popular game “The Last of Us Part 1.” Sony is also responsible for creating a customizable accessibility controller called Project Leonardo, designed to work with the PS4 and PS5 consoles.
PlayStation’s new Accessibility Tags will go a long way in making the gaming community more inclusive for people with disabilities.
