Five major video game companies — Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Google — are taking a significant step toward making games more accessible. These industry giants have announced a new initiative to include detailed accessibility labels on digital storefronts and product pages, giving players better insight into how a game might accommodate their individual needs.
The program, known as the Accessible Games Initiative, is led by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), and it aims to establish a unified standard for disclosing accessibility features in games. At launch, the initiative will introduce 24 accessibility tags covering a wide range of features, including options for visual, auditory, gameplay, and input-based accessibility.
Some examples of these tags include “narrated menus,” “large and clear subtitles,” “basic input remapping,” “playable without rapid button presses,” and “color alternatives.” These tags are designed to help gamers — especially those with disabilities — quickly determine whether a game offers the tools they need for a comfortable experience.
The tags will appear alongside existing game information such as player count and age ratings on digital platforms. While there’s no universal rollout date, the ESA says implementation will vary by company and remain voluntary.
ESA Senior Vice President of Communications Aubrey Quinn confirmed that each publisher is currently coordinating with its internal teams to bring the new tags to market. “While we cannot speak for them about their plans,” Quinn said, “we know companies are working with the relevant departments across their individual organizations to bring the tags to their consumers.”
Notably, Sony Interactive Entertainment played a role in shaping the initiative but is not listed as one of the founding members. The ESA suggested reaching out to Sony for clarification, but the company has not provided public comment.
In addition to the founding members, other major developers like Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games have also joined the initiative. Some have already begun working toward implementation.
Riot Games said its accessibility team is building a plan to incorporate the tags. “We want everyone to have the chance to play and enjoy our current and future games,” said Enid Brown Nelson, Riot’s director of product accessibility. Ubisoft echoed similar sentiments, stating that its integration efforts are in progress and more updates will follow soon.
Microsoft, through Team Xbox, confirmed that both its existing Xbox Game Accessibility Feature Tags and the new Accessible Games Initiative tags will coexist in digital Xbox experiences.
This move reflects a growing recognition across the industry that inclusive design isn’t just an added bonus — it’s an essential part of modern game development. With a global gaming audience that includes players with a range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities, the push for clearer accessibility information is a meaningful advancement for the gaming community at large.
