Gaming Industry Hub

Where games include real-time voice chat that functions as an interpersonal communications service (party chat, proximity voice, team comms), it must be accessible. This means: text-to-speech for incoming voice must be available as an option; speech-to-text for outgoing messages must be supported; and deaf/hard-of-hearing players must be able to participate equivalently without relying solely on voice. Push-to-talk must have a toggle (hold-free) option.

Main menus, settings screens, in-game pause menus, HUD configuration, and inventory interfaces must be navigable via keyboard, controller D-pad, or switch access without requiring mouse/touchscreen precision inputs. UI elements must carry accessible labels for screen reader use in desktop/PC contexts. Font sizes in menus must be adjustable or at minimum comply with WCAG 1.4.4 (resize text).

All narrative dialogue, cinematics, and in-game voiced content should carry subtitles, with options for: font size adjustment, background opacity, speaker labels, and on-screen position. Subtitles should include relevant non-speech audio cues (e.g., explosion nearby, approaching enemy, ambient danger). This is best practice under EAA and essential for deaf/hard-of-hearing players.

Games must not rely solely on colour to convey critical game state (health status, team membership, map objectives). Colourblind modes (protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia simulation) must be available in settings. UI contrast for menus and HUD must meet at least WCAG 3:1 for large text, 4.5:1 for standard text where text is critical to gameplay.

Full control remapping — for all buttons, triggers, and axes across keyboard, mouse, and controller — must be available so players with motor impairments can configure controls to their needs. Aim assist, auto-sprint, hold-to-press toggle conversions, and adjustable timing windows for quick-time events support players with motor impairments. Switch access (single or two-switch scanning) support is best practice.

Platform storefronts (console stores, PC game launchers, web storefronts) must meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA as e-commerce services under EAA. Game listings must carry structured accessibility metadata (subtitles available, remappable controls, colourblind modes) so players can make informed purchase decisions. Purchase and download flows must be keyboard- and screen-reader-accessible.

Cloud gaming platforms that stream gameplay to browser or app must ensure: the streaming interface and launcher are WCAG 2.2 AA compliant; accessibility settings configured in the cloud environment persist for the user; latency management does not disproportionately degrade the experience for users relying on switch access or alternative input devices.