Inaccessible video games: the hidden cost of refund
Video games have become a massive industry, with billions of gamers around the world. Unfortunately, approximately 400 million of these people cannot fully enjoy their passion because of inaccessible games. Despite the progress made in video game accessibility in recent years, some studios do not mention accessibility options available in their games before release. This comes at a significant cost to the studios and gamers with disabilities, who end up with a non-playable game. In this article, we will take a closer look at this issue and explore ways that studios can better inform gamers about the accessibility of their games.
Note: In this article, for ease of reading, the word studio refers to both developing and publishing studios, whether independent or not.
The importance of video game accessibility.
Video game accessibility is important for many reasons. Foremost, it allows gamers with disabilities to enjoy their passion for video games. Video games are not only a source of entertainment, but also a way to become part of a community. Certain types of disabilities can lead to isolation, as in the case of people with chronic pain that limits their ability to go out regularly.
This is where video games become more than just entertainment. It becomes a fundamental tool that provides an escape, a way to meet other gamers, and a sense of personal accomplishment, efficacy, and belonging.
In addition, accessibility in video games also helps gamers improve their skills and gaming experience. Accessibility options can make games easier to play, which is especially helpful for those with less experience. This allows people to focus more on the gameplay and story of the game rather than on the technical difficulties associated with accessibility. In addition, it helps to improve the overall gameplay experience for everyone, and we can use the motto of inclusive design: “Solve for one, extend to many”.
But that’s not all, as accessible gaming contributes to diversity and inclusion in the video game industry. People with disabilities are often underrepresented, and accessibility helps change that. By providing accessibility options and including people with disabilities to consult or take part in game design, studios encourage gamers to participate more in the community.
The cost of inaccessible video games.
Playing a video game when you have a disability can quickly become a frustrating, exhausting and unnecessarily difficult experience. Disabilities come in many forms, including deafness, blindness, limited mobility, dyslexia, cognitive impairment, chronic pain and more. They are also visible as well as invisible and have different impacts depending on the game and the actions required. Games that do not take these disabilities into account are difficult, if not impossible, for people with these disabilities to play.
That’s why you can turn to accessibility options to make your gaming experience more enjoyable and less stressful. These options include subtitles, contrasting colors, sound indicators, zoom options, the ability to slow down time, and much more.
Unfortunately, some studios do not mention these accessibility options before the release of their games, which leads to refund requests from players. The cost of these refund requests is significant for the studios. Not only do these requests result in substantial financial losses, but they also damage the reputation of the company and the game. These claims are an unpleasant experience for gamers with disabilities. Especially if they have been looking forward to the release of the game, have probably pre-ordered it and are now unable to play it. That’s why it’s important to either take accessibility into account during the development of the game or to mention the available options before the game is released, even if you have to work on accessibility afterward.
The difficulties of getting a refund for an inaccessible game.
Gamers encounter difficulties in getting a refund for a game. This is of particular concern for people with disabilities who have more limited financial means due to costs associated with medical care or specialized equipment. They need to be able to play accessible games without incurring additional costs related to inaccessibility.
It is essential to note that these individuals are not responsible for the inaccessibility of games. Therefore, they should not be penalized financially because of the video game industry’s inability to provide accessible games. Refunds could help solve this problem by providing financial insurance to gamers with disabilities, allowing them to take risks in purchasing games without fear of losing their money.
Online distribution platforms like Steam, Epic Games, GOG, … should offer refunds for inaccessibility. This would encourage studios to create more accessible games, but it would help them understand why their games are getting refunds for inaccessibility. The community will feel more heard and included by simplifying the refund process for inaccessible games. In addition, it will also provide them with financial assurance, greater independence, and more trust in the studios. This also implies that online distribution platforms are accessible.
How video game studios can communicate the accessibility features of their games.
That’s why game studios must communicate the accessibility options available in their games. This should be done both before and after the game is released. Communicating about accessibility will help gamers make an informed decision about purchasing a game and avoid refund requests related to the game’s inaccessibility.
Here are some tips to help you communicate your games’ accessibility options:
- Include accessibility information on game product pages: add clear and concise information about accessibility options on your game products present on different online distribution platforms. If your game can be purchased in physical form, add this information to the game’s cover.
- Provide video demonstrations: Providing video demonstrations of accessibility features in action helps players understand how these features work. These video demonstrations can be added to the game’s website or social media channels.
- Publish accessibility guides: Create accessibility guides for your games that provide detailed instructions on the accessibility options available and how to activate them. These guides can be posted on the game’s website or even integrated into the game itself.
- Collaborate with people with disabilities: Working with people with disabilities ensures that accessibility information is clear and accurate. These people can help studios improve their accessibility options and communicate effectively about them, but also enhance the accessibility of the games afterwards.
By clearly communicating the accessibility features of their games, studios can help improve the gaming experience for everyone. Gamers who need accessibility options to play can find the games that best suit their needs. And those who wish to support accessibility options can make an informed purchasing decision.
In conclusion, video game accessibility is an important topic that deserves increased attention from video game studios. Inaccessible games can lead to frustration and disappointment for gamers who require accessibility options, as well as costly refund claims for studios. When designing a video game, it is essential to consider accessibility from the beginning. If this is not possible, you can communicate what accessibility options will be available when the game is released and work with people with disabilities to improve the accessibility of the game over time. By doing this, game studios are helping to make the gaming experience more enjoyable and inclusive for everyone.
