Latest news with #AccessibleGamesInitiative
Engadget
13-05-2025
- Engadget
Apple is bringing accessibility labels to the App Store later this year
Each year, on the same week as Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the accessibility team at Apple shares a slew of upcoming assistive features ahead of their public release. This time around, the company has a huge number of updates as it commemorates "40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple," according to a press release. This year's group of enhancements covers all its platforms and a variety of types of disabilities, and one of them is a new initiative that should make more apps more inclusive. Later this year, the App Store will get "Accessibility Nutrition Labels," which will be a new section in app pages. These will give a quick preview of the accessible features that each listing offers, including things like support for the VoiceOver screen reader, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Captions, Voice Control, Reduced Motion and more. Tapping on each preview will bring up a page with more details on other accessibility features that are available and explanations on each of them. The labels will be available worldwide, and Apple will make more guidance available to developers on the criteria their apps should meet before they display the relevant accessibility information on their pages. With these labels, people can find out if apps will meet their needs without having to first download them. If you are colorblind, for example, you can see if a matching game offers "Differentiate without color alone" before installing it and going into its settings to verify. By bringing these labels to the App Store, Apple is delivering what the gaming industry is seeking to do with the Accessible Games Initiative (AGI) that was announced in March. While the AGI is a broader effort with promised participation from companies like Microsoft, Nintendo and Electronic Arts, it has yet to share a firm timeline for the implementation of the system. The Entertainment Software Association said in March that timing would depend on each company. Now, we'll have to wait and see exactly how much later in the year Apple will start displaying these labels, but the company will be sharing more guidance with developers at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June, so it might take till the second half of 2025 for the changes to appear. Apple also shared plenty more on new assistive features coming to iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and the Vision Pro, including a new Magnifier for Mac, an Accessibility Reader and updated Braille Access.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PS5 game ‘Astro Bot' has sold over 2.3M units, says Alinea Analytics
'Astro Bot,' Sony's (SONY) big 2024 exclusive title for the PlayStation 5, has now sold more than 2.3M units, according to Alinea Analytics' Rhys Elliott. The game crossed the 2M milestone back on January 8, and while sales had started to stabilize after reaching 1.5M in November, winning Game of the Year at The Game Awards on December 12 gave the game a second wind, according to Elliott. Easily identify stocks' risks and opportunities. Discover stocks' market position with detailed competitor analyses. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on SONY: Questions or Comments about the article? Write to editor@ Entertainment Software Association announces Accessible Games Initiative Capcom's new 'Monster Hunter' top-selling game of February in U.S. U.S. video game spending fell 6% y/y in February, says Circana Game On: Analysts see Nintendo Switch 2 priced at $400 or more Ford (NYSE:F) Bolsters its Digital Services With New Hire
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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 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 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: SOURCE Entertainment Software Association
