How Accessible is This Video Game? An Analysis Tool in Two Steps

Abstract

Game accessibility aims to ensure that every player has a chance to interact with a video game and overcome its challenges. This paper presents a game analysis tool in two steps that identify accessibility achievements and pitfalls to improve current practice. First, a game's accessibility features are reviewed through a checklist that integrates guidelines developed by users, industry, and academia. Second, user reviews are analysed to determine the suitability of the game's accessibility features. As a pilot study, the analysis tool is applied to The Last of Us Part II, released by Naughty Dog in 2020. The checklist shows that the game offers a great number of accessibility features, although users clarify in their reviews that not all interaction barriers are prevented. In that sense, the analysis tool emphasises the key role of users with disabilities in designing and assessing accessibility features so that video games may be enjoyed by all.