Each December, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day dedicated to fostering awareness, understanding, and equal participation for individuals with disabilities in all areas of society and development. At Xbox, we believe that the joy of gaming should be an experience available to everyone. Our mission is to cultivate inclusive experiences that allow players to enjoy the games of their choice, in their preferred ways, and alongside their chosen communities.
Today and every day, we want to acknowledge and celebrate the significant contributions made by the Gaming and Disability community in co-creating more accessible gaming experiences with us. Among these invaluable contributors is Stan Adermann, a Principal Firmware Engineer at Team Xbox, whose personal experiences with disability have inspired some of our latest controller remapping innovations.
Stan shared, "I’ve got mild Essential Tremor, plus some hand pain from years spent in software development, which made playing certain PC games uncomfortable for me. This led me to explore options that could ease controller usage on PC for others in similar situations, or for those who just wanted more customizable gameplay. We started with mapping mouse movements to controllers and adding toggle holds. Mapping joystick actions to buttons or keyboard keys was another crucial step."
From the recently announced Xbox Adaptive Joystick and 3D-printable adaptive thumbstick toppers available via Xbox Design Lab, to other updates we’re thrilled to highlight, we’re dedicated to breaking down barriers for even more players through our platform, hardware, and game titles. We honor the input of individuals with disabilities who have been pivotal in shaping these inclusive gaming experiences.
Remapping Options for Xbox Adaptive Controller and Elite Series 2
Remapping allows players to adjust the default functions of a controller, keyboard, or mouse to better align with their preferences or needs, making gaming more accessible. To enhance input remapping options, the Xbox Accessories App now offers new capabilities for the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller and the Xbox Adaptive Controller:
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Toggle holds: This feature simplifies controller use by allowing any button or port to remain ‘pressed’ until pressed again, similar to sticky keys on a computer.
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Map stick movement to button presses: Players can convert directional stick movements into button or keyboard actions, adding flexibility to gameplay.
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Map mouse inputs to controller: Now, thumbstick or joystick movements can map cursor movement, effectively turning controllers into a mouse and keyboard setup for both gaming and non-gaming scenarios.
- Map hat switch to alternate joystick: External joystick hat switches can now be set to function as the opposite stick when connected to the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Visual Accessibility Updates for Diablo IV
Accessibility has been integral to the Diablo IV development process. Lead Accessibility Developer Drew McCrory and his team have introduced features to assist players who are blind or have low vision. Notable updates include:
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Auto-Pin: Automatically adds a map pin to your quest destination from the in-game Journal, streamlining navigation.
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Audio Navigation Assistance: Provides spatial audio cues guiding players to their target, enhancing the gaming experience.
- Compass: A HUD element that always points toward your objective, providing consistent direction.
These enhancements have earned Diablo IV a nomination for "Innovation in Accessibility" at the 2024 Game Awards. More details are available in Blizzard’s blog post.
Accessibility Features in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty’s latest installment, Black Ops 6, brings advanced accessibility features like asymmetrical hearing compensation and improved high contrast mode. Collaborating with accessibility advocates, the game includes features like reduced motion blur and joystick settings adapted from Modern Warfare III.
They’ve also introduced unique settings, such as arachnophobia options and additional HUD layout choices. These innovations have garnered recognition, earning a nomination at The Game Awards for "Innovation in Accessibility."
Celebrating the Life of Ibelin in World of Warcraft
To honor "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" on Netflix, World of Warcraft introduced the Reven pack in its Modern and Classic versions. This initiative pays tribute to Mats "Ibelin" Steen, a WoW player with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Reven, meaning "the fox" in Norwegian, is a companion players can purchase to support CureDuchenne, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing care and research for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
For more on this charitable initiative, visit the World of Warcraft and CureDuchenne sites.
Xbox remains devoted to inclusivity, and you can explore our approach to Inclusive Design through Microsoft’s resources.
