Xbox is adding accessibility tags to all of the digital games that are available on its platform, offering a view of what to expect from the features and experiences in a specific title.
This new initiative from Microsoft is offering users, particularly those with disabilities, a chance to see clear labels about what a game features apart from the story, genre, gameplay, and other elements that trailers or showcases reveal.
Xbox Adds 'Accessibility' Tags to All Digital Games
According to a new blog post from Xbox, Microsoft is now adding new "Accessible Games Initiative Tags" to all of the digital Xbox experiences available to users and players all over the globe. This Accessible Games Initiative Tags—simply referred to as accessibility tags, according to Engadget—offers a label that identifies the many features and elements offered by a specific title.
Microsoft claims that this is an "industry-wide push" that aims to help players better identify the accessibility features that are available in a game, offering them a chance to be more knowledgeable about what it offers. This will help gamers with specific accessibility requirements to know more about what the game brings to the table before they make a purchase.
As mentioned earlier, these accessibility tags would appear on all digital Xbox experiences, meaning that titles from the Xbox store would share a specific tab that lists all of the game's features for a potential buyer to preview.
The new tags are available across the different digital Xbox experiences including console, PC, mobile, and web storefronts for users to preview prior to their purchases.
Microsoft Brings a More Specific Overview
According to Microsoft, this new Accessible Games Initiative Tags was made in collaboration with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), Electronic Arts, Google, Nintendo of America, Ubisoft, and other gaming companies. Together, they formed the new "Accessible Games Initiative" movement for the video gaming industry to address players who have a form of disability.
Microsoft claimed that in their case, they have already piloted a program called the Xbox Game Accessibility Feature way back in 2021 which also focuses on providing the same information to gamers.
The company also said that this launch is right in time for the Disability Pride Month. Through this initiative, Microsoft and other gaming companies are making it easier for players with disabilities to learn about the available accessibility features in a game.
A video game cited by Microsoft as an example, "South of Midnight," boasts of 13 accessibility features available, including Multiple Volume Controls for Audio, Color Alternatives, and Large & Clear Subtitles for the game's Visual features, Adjustable input sensitivity for Input, and more.
Players may click on the accessibility tags to learn more about their features in the game listing's landing page on Xbox's storefronts.
