Entertainment Software Association Introduces the Accessible Games Initiative to Provide Players with Information About Accessibility Features in Video Games
Founding members Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Ubisoft join ESA at GDC in announcing new accessibility tags to better support players.
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced the Accessible Games Initiative, a cross-industry effort to provide consumers with clear information about the accessibility features available in video games. The Accessible Games Initiative was announced at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) by the ESA and representatives from five founding member companies: Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Ubisoft.
The primary purpose of the new Accessible Games Initiative is to help provide clear information about whether a specific video game has accessibility features and, if so, what those features are. The initiative is launching with a set of 24 "tags," all with clear criteria about what each tag means. Sample tags include: clear text, large and clear subtitles, narrated menus, stick inversion and save anytime, among others. Over time, participating companies will place the Accessible Games Initiative tags near their game product information – for example on digital storefronts, product pages or digital catalogues. This can help provide players and other consumers, such as parents and teachers, with clear information about which features are in any given game before they make a purchase.
"Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games," said Stanley Pierre-Louis, ESA president and CEO. "We are immensely proud to announce the Accessible Games Initiative in partnership with industry leaders. This initiative demonstrates how impactful we can be when we work together in our industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play."
The idea for the Accessible Games Initiative was first developed by Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Ubisoft. Additional companies have already joined the Initiative, including Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix and Warner Bros. Games. The Accessible Games Initiative will be managed by the ESA, the trade association representing the U.S. video game industry.
Other key facts:
The full list of tags and their definitions/criteria are available at accessiblegames.com.
The tags were developed with guidance and feedback sourced from players with disabilities, accessibility advocacy groups and game development teams, all of whom provided valuable insights about the real-world applications of the tags.
The tags are launching in U.S.-English.
The timeline for implementation of the tags will be determined on a company-by-company basis and is always voluntary.
The tags will be located on participating companies' digital storefronts, product pages and digital catalogues.
In addition to player-facing definitions, the Accessible Games Initiative also has criteria available for developers to use the tags and help them develop their games with accessibility in mind.
As feedback is gathered from the community, and new technologies and features are developed, we expect the existing tags to evolve and to introduce additional tags in the future.
Accessible Games Initiative tags can coexist with other accessibility tags available in the marketplace.
The use of Accessible Games Initiative tags is completely voluntary for video game companies and storefronts, but the tags are available for all to use.
To view the tags and learn more about the Accessible Games Initiative, visit www.accessiblegames.com.
About the ESAFounded in 1994, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has served as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry for more than 30 years. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy to secure a vibrant future for the industry for decades to come. For more information, visit the ESA's website or follow the ESA on X @theESA or Instagram @theesaofficial.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entertainment-software-association-introduces-the-accessible-games-initiative-to-provide-players-with-information-about-accessibility-features-in-video-games-302406737.html
SOURCE Entertainment Software Association
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
39 minutes ago
- Forbes
Google Makes New $200 Father's Day Offer To Pixel 9 Buyers
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: A new Google Pixel 9 phone is displayed during the Made By ... More Google event at Google headquarters on August 13, 2024 in Mountain View, California. Google announced new Pixel phones, watches and AI features during the Made By Google event. (Photo by) Following one of its most aggressive Pixel 9 price drops yet, Google has once again slashed the price of its flagship smartphone. However, for serious deal hunters the company's new Pixel 8 Pro bundle offer might be the better deal. Let's start with the Pixel 9 discount. All models, including the Pixel 9a, are cheaper for this sale, which ends on June 15th. The Pixel 9 price cut is similar to what we have seen in previous sales, but Google does have some new bundle deals, alongside discounts for virtually all wearables. Virtually all of Google's wearables and smart home devices are on sale, too. These are the standout deals. A Google Pixel 8 pro phone is displayed during a product launch event for the Google Pixel 8, and ... More Pixel 8 pro phones, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Buds Pro earbuds, in New York on October 4, 2023. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) The most eye-catching promotion is for the Pixel 8 Pro, which is now down to $599. Google lists this as a $400 discount, but the 2023 flagship hasn't cost $999 since it launched two years ago. Despite the chicanery, this is a solid deal for a phone that isn't wildly different from the Pixel 9. The promotion is boosted by Google throwing in a free Pixel Watch 2 LTE and a free case with the Pixel 8 Pro. To me, this makes the Pixel 8 Pro the better choice if you're on a budget because the free Pixel Watch can be sold to extend the discount. If you're worried about buying older tech, there's very little daylight between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 ranges. The Pixel 8 has many of the Pixel 9's features, including AI tools like Magic Editor, Best Take, and Video Boost (on the Pixel 8 Pro). Formerly exclusive Pixel 9 features, such as the Pixel Weather app, have now migrated over to the Pixel 8. Only the updated hardware separates the two phones. I wrote more extensively about why the Pixel 8 Pro may be the better choice for tight budgets here. Crucially, the Pixel 8 still has five years of software support left. When the device launched in 2023, Google extended the amount of Android updates and security patches its Pixel phones would get to seven years. We will have to see if Google (and Samsung) honor that promise as we edge closer to 2030. But if we take Google at face value, that extended support adds value to the Pixel 8, especially since there are fewer reasons to buy new hardware that only marginally improves per year. Manufacturers may struggle to convince fans to buy new phones when the near-identical predecessor is half the price. This is good news for Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 shoppers because it is currently the best time to buy high-end, cheap, phones.
Android Authority
3 hours ago
- Android Authority
5 AI tools I rely on more than ChatGPT
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority ChatGPT is usually the first tool that comes to everyone's mind when you start talking about AI. It sure is versatile and capable of doing a lot — often better than others in many ways. Its memory feature helps it learn about you and fine-tune responses, making it more personalized than many other (even paid) alternatives. It's also the one to open the floodgates for a wave of AI tools designed for very specific tasks — the kind that even ChatGPT can't handle well. And that's exactly where the broader world of AI tools comes in. I've tried quite a few of these AI tools, and here are the ones that have truly embedded themselves into my daily workflow. I can't imagine getting through the day without them anymore. What's your go-to AI tool (besides ChatGPT)? 0 votes Gemini NaN % Perplexity NaN % Claude NaN % Something else (comment below!) NaN % Gemini Ryan Haines / Android Authority Gemini is similar to ChatGPT in many ways — and no, I don't use it to unload my life problems. But I do end up using it quite a lot, and the simple reason is its presence. Since I rely on Google products both personally and professionally, Gemini is always just there — sometimes in the sidebar, sometimes just a wake word away. On my Workspace for Business account, I often use it to check grammar, tighten language, or tweak the tone of emails. But I've also had it read contracts in Docs and point out anything working against me or take notes during Meet calls and summarize the meeting within minutes of it ending. It even handles different accents in a single meeting quite well. Perplexity Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority If I've developed muscle memory for using ChatGPT, Perplexity has quietly replaced Google Search for most of my web lookups — especially on desktop. I use it heavily for research. Instead of browsing ten websites, scrubbing YouTube videos, or combing through forums for one specific detail — like what the most popular desktop OS in Europe was in the early 2010s — I just ask Perplexity. And much like appending 'Reddit' to a search to get real user opinions instead of content written for SEO, Perplexity does that for you. It gives you a concise gist, which is handy when I'm looking for general sentiment, say, around viral news. While it saves me the search legwork, I still verify what it gives me just to make sure I'm delivering accurate information with the necessary human oversight. NotebookLM Andy Walker / Android Authority For the longest time, I avoided NotebookLM. It felt like a niche product good for only a few tasks — but that's exactly where its strength lies. And honestly, what a tool Google has made! You can create multiple notebooks and upload source documents, even on the free plan. It analyzes long documents and can surface different perspectives, themes, and patterns — like a real brainstorming partner. That's not what I personally use it for, though. NotebookLM is a true example of AI's potential — I just hope it doesn't land in the Google graveyard anytime soon. What I love is its ability to switch tone easily between 'Guide' and 'Analyst' modes, especially when I need a more conversational or direct approach. But my favorite feature is its podcast-style audio summaries. Those have helped me digest jargon-heavy, never-ending documents while driving or cooking — and suddenly, it doesn't feel like work! NotebookLM is a true example of AI's potential — I just hope it doesn't land in the Google graveyard anytime soon. Notion AI Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Some AI tools become part of your routine without you even realizing it — and Notion AI is one of those for me. I initially dismissed it as something Notion was forcing on its users, but I've ended up using it more than I expected. I use Notion for almost all my long-form personal writing — blog posts, short stories, you name it. One thing that's always frustrated me is the lack of autocorrect. When I'm in vomit-draft mode, I don't care about typos or grammar and cleaning them up later was always a pain. With Notion AI, I can fix all that with just a couple of clicks. I can also throw in unformatted lists (groceries, travel packing, etc.) and just ask AI to clean them up. I even use it to brainstorm multiple angles for blog ideas, helping me avoid getting stuck on one track. It's like the second set of eyes I have always wanted for my blogs. The free plan gives me limited prompts, but since I only use Notion once or twice a day, I get by just fine. Ideogram An image generation tool has been eerily missing from this list — that's because I saved the best for the last! Ideogram has been my preferred tool for that because of one big reason. It is one of the only free tools that lets you customize and control a lot of aspects of your generated images, including their size and ratio. Most AI tools generate square images that are terrible for online use as feature images or on social media. Ideogram gets you a few free credits per week and creates some fantastic AI images using its latest-generation model with whatever customization you want. And it also has something called magic prompt that uses AI to create an elaborate prompt on your behalf. We all tend to underexplain AI the exact scene we want, but Ideogram covers you for that. Specialized AI tools are far more useful companions than a chatbot that behaves like an over-eager intern who always needs direction. AI beyond ChatGPT We've had AI around us for years — from Gboard's smart suggestions to Google Assistant — but it wasn't until ChatGPT became a buzzword that we really started noticing generative AI in our everyday lives. It's honestly hard to believe it's just been a couple of years since its arrival. A lot of AI tools have emerged in such a short span, and many of them have surely become an indispensable part of my life. But most importantly, I get to use them to be more productive without fearing about AI dimming my creative spark. They are far more useful companions than a chatbot that behaves like an over-eager intern who always needs direction.
Time Business News
3 hours ago
- Time Business News
Boosting Shopify Speed & Performance Optimization With the Help of Shop Gait
Every millisecond counts in an eCommerce business, and your Shopify store is no exception. Frustrated users, low conversions, poor search engine rankings, and even worse are the results of slow-loading websites. There is no way to accomplish desired outcomes if optimization is a mere good-to-have feature. It is fundamental to achieve exceptional outcomes. At Shop Gait, we have pieces of advice to ease your journey. Offering Shopify speed & performance optimization guarantees that no further optimization is needed at the user end. It improves ease of use, search engine ranking, and ultimately, sales. This blog will help you with the analysis of the Shopify Support & Maintenance Service and the Shopify API Integration Service to a very advanced level of optimization. Think of a website you would like to visit, but takes the life out of you waiting to load. By all means, a website that loads quickly is user-friendly and highly likely to improve customer satisfaction. In most cases, customers will not leave the website after loading if it has multiple pages. Along with other loading and navigational features, your website's speed impacts its SEO ranking. This means Shopify stores that load slowly are losing potential site visits. This is because Google algorithmically gives preference to sites that load faster relative to others. Therefore, if you have a slow Shopify store, implement Shopify Speed & Performance Optimization, and Shopify Support & Maintenance Service. With that in mind, here are the most common reasons that can help in Shopify Speed & Performance Optimization: – Non-optimized, oversized images – Unoptimized Shopify themes – Excessive use of applications (apps) – Poor coding – Optimization of content delivery is absent Knowing these reasons puts you ahead in trying to improve your store's performance. If you're looking to improve your store's website, evaluating your current statistics is the first step. Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and the integrated tools of Shopify can serve as a foundation for Shopify Speed & Performance Optimization. Aside from the services offered, these tools also provide Shopify Support & Maintenance Service, and an insightful explanation of the sources of lagging performance. The metrics that are most analyzed when accessing website performance include: First Contentful Paint (FCP)—the time it takes from the moment a user initiates the page load until the first piece of content appears. Time To Interactive (TTI)—how much time it takes till the webpage becomes completely ready for interaction. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)— time required till the biggest portion of the webpage is loaded Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)— Searches for disrupting layout shifts that are not expected and pose a risk to user experience. These metrics help you understand the current state of your store and the most pressing areas for improvement. Image optimization deserves attention because images are often the most time-consuming element on a page. Choose the Most Optimal Formats: Formats such as WebP provide unparalleled quality lossless compression. Formats such as WebP provide unparalleled quality lossless compression. Compress Image Files: Use TinyPNG to decrease the file size without losing clarity. Alternatively, there's also the option of using Shopify Apps. Use TinyPNG to decrease the file size without losing clarity. Alternatively, there's also the option of using Shopify Apps. Use Lazy Loading: Only the images visible on the user's screen will be loaded, and this will decrease both load time and speed. Shopify theme is critical to the performance of your store. Select a Lightweight Theme: Select a responsive and fast theme. Shopify offers the free Dawn theme and other paid options such as Turbo. Select a responsive and fast theme. Shopify offers the free Dawn theme and other paid options such as Turbo. Remove Unused Features: Get rid of all unused animations, 3rd party widgets, and integrations that clutter your theme. Get rid of all unused animations, 3rd party widgets, and integrations that clutter your theme. Clean Up Theme Code: Reduce the CSS and JavaScript code of the theme to remove bloat that is slowing your site. While apps can improve the utility of your store, overusing them can severely cripple performance: Audit Your Apps: Evaluate your app installations regularly and promptly uninstall those that are no longer useful. Evaluate your app installations regularly and promptly uninstall those that are no longer useful. Choose Optimized Apps: Assure that the reviews of an app you want to install are favorable and that it is optimized to have minimal effect on your store's speed. Another aspect of enhancing performance is efficient coding: Minify Resources: Reduce the size and loading time of files by minifying CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files. Reduce the size and loading time of files by minifying CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files. Defer Non-Critical Resources: Load only the most important elements first, deferring scripts that are not immediately needed. Load only the most important elements first, deferring scripts that are not immediately needed. Enable Browser Caching: Files like images, CSS files, and HTML can be kept on the user's computer via caching, making future visits faster. A Content Delivery Network (CDN) refers to a network of servers distributed globally for serving content from the geographical region closest to the user. Shopify already has a built-in CDN that can be optimized by: Integrating with external CDNs such as Cloudflare for redundancy and speed. Exploring the CDN's platform for other options, such as caching for performance boosts. Database Optimization Unused data in your Shopify database can contribute to lag: Regularly remove old or inactive products, images, and customer records. Utilize Shopify apps like Matrixify to clean up and organize your inventory data. With most of the traffic coming from mobile devices, it is essential to optimize mobile access: Responsive Design: Check that your store is mobile-enabled with its texts, buttons, and small diagrams arranged to suit smaller screens. Check that your store is mobile-enabled with its texts, buttons, and small diagrams arranged to suit smaller screens. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP): Adding AMP to serve light mobile pages that load without delay. If you use Shopify Plus, you have access to sophisticated methods and tools: Script Editor: Implement the Shopify Plus Script Editor for personalized checkout workflows and enhance performance. Implement the Shopify Plus Script Editor for personalized checkout workflows and enhance performance. Automated Testing: Regularly execute A/B testing to evaluate loading time and optimize it to the best possible level. Regularly execute A/B testing to evaluate loading time and optimize it to the best possible level. API Integration Services: Utilize the Shopify API Integration Services for integration with other platforms, which enhances operational efficiency by automating manual workflows. Ensuring that your Shopify store runs at peak levels of speed and performance is critical for competitiveness, enhances user experience, and contributes positively to SEO for professionals? Shop Gait offers unique, tailored Shopify Support & Maintenance Services to enhance store performance. We also provide an equally capable Shopify API Integration Service, through which our professionals will enable seamless integration to bring your store to pro status. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
