Playing games is a wonderful pastime for many people across the globe. We can play in the same room, within the same city, the same country, or across different continents. By doing so, many people have mass accessibility to enjoy games the way they want to with whoever may be online. We see many companies finding new ways to help people get into gaming by creating new ways, such as input devices, to make better gaming experiences who cannot enjoy games in a conventional way.  This brings up the question: how do we continue making these strides in future consoles?

To have a better perspective on this topic, I reached out to our family friends’ son Taylor, who is blind. I asked him his perspective on the gaming industry and what can be improved upon or changed within the space. I asked him, what you do and don’t like about Nintendo Switch accessibility. If he has used other tools or controllers that help him better play or navigate the gaming space. How could Nintendo incorporate controls or tools into their next console? He answered as follows.

Taylor said the following about the Nintendo Switch, “The only game that is currently accessible on the Switch is Minecraft and it’s because it has a talking screen reader within the game just like how it is on PC, but that’s the only game that’s accessible to my knowledge at the time.”  He then went to say, “Things that would make it worth for the blind, haptics throughout the whole entire switch UI like for example, if somethings off a short haptic, and if something is on a long haptic so you would know how to interact with the menus of the Switch. I have talked to people on discord that are video game developers on having a screen reader on the Switch and it sounds like for it to work properly, every person that releases games would have to build their own screen reader within their game. I think if there’s no possible way on making a screen reader work having an active system kind of like how the PS5 controller works in a combination of seven and having one wrap around 3-D audio headset would be the best way to make it work for a blind individual.”

Receiving this insight from Taylor has made me realize that there is so much untapped potential when it comes to inclusion of people who cannot play in traditional methods of gaming. Developers and publishers alike should be advocating more universal software tools that can assist in the distribution of more accessible gaming experiences for those that need it. I recently attended a garden party that raises money for Children’s Hospital, and I was happy to see that they raised money for VR headsets for the children and families that need to stay for various reasons. It is nice to see that people are trying to make these types of experiences accessible for people who are going through tough and painful times.

The more companies that incorporate better experiences to those who are not traditionally able to partake in a game. Nintendo, who has a lot of weight with the Switch community, can really shine if they include tools, software, or controller on their future console that would make development for creating these experiences for those who are wanting to play games and have fun. Do you have any suggestions or experiences on this topic? Do you think Nintendo lacks in this area, and how could they improve? I want to thank Taylor for his input and spread the word of accessibility to those who can make a change for a better future in the gaming space. 

Image Source: HoriUSA.com

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