Android 15 Developer Preview 2 introduces three keyboard accessibility options - Sticky keys, Slow keys, and Bounce Keys - for physical keyboards, aiming to improve usability for people with physical disabilities. Interestingly, Samsung's One UI already offers these features, highlighting the advantages of One UI over stock Android in providing useful accessibility options.
The long-awaited New Game+ update for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has arrived, featuring not only the ability to replay the game with unlocked abilities and suits, but also mission replay, new suits, photo mode improvements, and accessibility options such as audio descriptions and screen reader. The update offers a wealth of new content, making it an exciting time for players to swing back into the game.
Insomniac Games has released patch 1.002.000 for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PlayStation 5, introducing New Game+, Mission Replay, new suits, and accessibility options such as Audio Descriptions and Screen Reader. The update also includes improvements and fixes, and hints at potential future releases from Insomniac, including a possible Marvel’s Spider-Man spinoff focusing on Venom.
GDC's State of the Game Industry report for 2023 reveals that one-third of video game developers have been impacted by layoffs, with quality assurance teams being the most affected. Concerns about future layoffs in 2024 are prevalent, attributed to factors like the aftermath of the global pandemic and economic uncertainty. On a positive note, many developers have implemented accessibility options in their projects, and support for unionization in the industry has grown. The report also highlights concerns and interest in Generative AI, with differing perspectives across different sectors of game development.
Frictional Games' 2023 horror game, Amnesia: The Bunker, has added new accessibility options including closed caption subtitling, reduced camera motion, and toggles for input options, making the game more accessible to a wider range of players. The update also allows players to make rats non-aggressive, addressing a common complaint about the game's challenging elements.
More than half of all players in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II adjusted the game's graphical accessibility settings, while over 40% customized their analog stick deadzone input. The new installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, offers even more ways to customize the visual experience, including a High Contrast mode for players with vision impairment or color blindness. The game also features a major update to the settings menu, improved controller settings, and a new accessibility preset called "Low Motor Strain."
Apple's new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models feature an Action button that replaces the traditional Ring/Silent switch. Users can customize the button's function by going into the Settings menu and choosing from options such as Focus, Camera, Flashlight, Voice Memos, Magnifier, Shortcuts, Accessibility, Silent Mode, or No Action. Additionally, users can personalize their Accessibility options by selecting features like Zoom, Voice Control, Live Captions, Guided Access, or Live Speech. Shortcuts can also be assigned to the Action button, allowing users to automate tasks such as opening the Notes app, starting a FaceTime call, launching Shazam, arming/disarming a security system, or opening the Calendar.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will introduce new accessibility options, including the ability to slow down gameplay to 30% speed. These features aim to make the game more accessible to players of different abilities. The update also includes various other accessibility improvements, such as QTE auto complete, enhanced auto aim, and skip puzzles. The game will launch exclusively for PlayStation 5 on October 20.
Destiny 2's Season of the Deep will begin on May 23, bringing new weekly storylines, gameplay changes, and new armor. The storyline is still under wraps, but the teaser image hints at the return of Titan and Commander Sloane with a Taken-like arm. The new armor is thematically linked to the season and features flowing robes and choral armor pieces. Gameplay changes include upgrades to roaming Supers, new armor mods, and improved accessibility options. Older raid Exotics will also be easier to obtain, and a new dungeon is on the horizon.
Microsoft has shared new information about Redfall, including accessibility options such as text-to-speech and speech-to-text support, screen narration, subtitles and closed captioning, font scaling, and a colour blindness filter. The PC system requirements have also been revealed, but without details on resolution and frame rate targets. Redfall is set to launch on September 2, 2022.
EA has revealed the accessibility options for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, including a Slow Mode toggle to ease both combat and platforming. Other options include fully remapping the controls, subtitle and visual options, and multiple difficulty settings. Five difficulty settings will be available - from Story Mode to Jedi Grand Master - and EA confirms that there is no difference in the in-game rewards earned. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is set for release on 28th April across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Developer Respawn has detailed the accessibility options for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, including Slow Mode, which can be toggled on or off at will and assigned to a button as a shortcut. Slow Mode can be helpful in combat and platforming, making the game more accessible to a larger audience.
