Accessibility options in games, explained

Where to find them

There are two places to look. The game's own settings menu may have a section called Accessibility, or the options may be spread across Display, Audio and Controls. The console or computer also has system-wide accessibility settings that work in menus and many games. Some games show accessibility options the very first time you start them, before the title screen.

Seeing the game

• Subtitles and captions. Subtitles show dialogue. Captions also describe sounds, such as footsteps or an alarm. Look for options to make the text bigger, add a dark background behind it and show who is speaking.
• Text and interface size. Menus and on-screen information can often be scaled up.
• Color filters and colorblind modes. These change the colors used for important things such as team markers and warnings. Try each filter, since the best one depends on the type of color vision difference.
• High contrast modes. Some games outline enemies, items or edges in bold colors against a muted world.
• Screen readers and menu narration. Some systems and games read menu text aloud.

Hearing the game

• Separate volume sliders for music, effects and voices let you turn the music down so speech is clearer.
• Visual sound indicators show the direction of important sounds on screen.
• Mono audio combines left and right channels, which helps players with hearing in one ear.
• Speech to text and text to speech for voice chat are offered by some platforms and games.

Controlling the game

• Button remapping lets you move any action to any button. See controls and remapping.
• Hold to toggle replaces long button presses with single presses.
• Repeated press help turns rapid button mashing into a single hold.
• Aim assist gently pulls your aim toward targets.
• Adaptive hardware. Some console makers sell adaptive controllers with large buttons and ports for switches, and some systems let two controllers act as one so a helper can share control.

Difficulty and assists

Many games let you lower the difficulty at any time, slow the game down, skip a hard section or turn off failure in certain parts. Story or narrative modes keep the plot and cut back the combat. Navigation aids show a path to your next goal. Using any of these is a normal way to play, and in most games it has no effect beyond the challenge level.

Motion and comfort settings

Some people feel dizzy or sick when the camera moves in ways their body does not. If that happens, try these settings:

• Turn off camera shake and motion blur.
• Widen the field of view, if the game allows it.
• Turn off head bob, the gentle up and down camera movement while walking.
• Lower camera sensitivity and turn on a center dot or crosshair, which gives your eyes a fixed point.

Many games carry a photosensitivity warning about flashing lights. Some offer settings that reduce flashing. If you or a family member has had a seizure, or has epilepsy, talk to a doctor before playing.

Getting more help

Each console maker and PC operating system publishes accessibility guides on its support site, and these are kept up to date as features change. Many game store pages now list the accessibility features a game supports, so you can check before buying. Disability charities in many countries also give advice on gaming setups.

Accessibility questions