Marvel’s Avengers Accessibility - Crystal Dynamics formalized the feature

Accessibility has been Crystal Dynamics' priority concern.  The foundation of accessibility in Marvel's Avengers was built upon their previous games.  The developers have been trying to improve this feature for gamers to experience their game in full context as much as possible.  The team has consulted industry experts like Accessibility Consultant Cherry Thompson while working on this function.  They also worked with the AbleGamers Charity to receive APXP certification in late 2019.

Game Accessibility is a standard for physically-disadvantaged, the deaf to access the game based on their preference.  Gamers can learn that the game is accessible and it removes obstacles for them to complete the game without issue.

The design principle can be based on four main categories: (1) Auditory - Deaf or low ability of hearing, (2) Visual - Blindness, low vision, or Color Blindness, (3) Mobility - causes: Accidents, birth defects or degenerative neurological diseases, (4) Cognitive such as Memory loss, Dyslexia, ADD or ADHD, Asperger Syndrome.

These four major forms of disability cause gamers to miss plot information during gameplay or cutscenes.  They are not able to receive game cues, footsteps or in-game sounds.

In most cases, ratings of the video game will not indicate vital information such as alternative input devices game support and closed-captioned attribute.  To conclude, many video games do not emphasize on the accessibility.

Xbox Adaptive Controller can take full advantage of the Button Mapping accessibility option across PC and Xbox One.  Remappable controls in Marvel's Avengers enable players to play the game in their own style.

The solutions from Crystal Dynamics for Marvel's Avengers

Aggregating the above, developers can follow guidelines and consult players while designing.  A few solution examples that address the aforementioned problems:

• Speech input should not be required, it should only be included as a supplementary or alternative input method.
• Small objects, details on the screen that have magnification assist.
• The game should also contain adjustable font size and allow remapping and reconfiguring controls.
• Spatial audio can provide enough information on the environment to the player 

Content accessibility
- using colour and shape convey different meanings

In Marvel's Avengers, the game has fully remappable controls, character-associated subtitles, campaign-relevant closed captions.  Tutorial mode provided in HARM Training Rooms allows gamers to focus on a single objective, this does not require them to memorize a chunk of information.

There are high contrast UI feature for easy navigation for low-vision users or people in need.  This can minimize complex and disturbing elements on interfaces that provoke difficulty.

Available Accessibility at Launch      

Subtitles and CC:

• Subtitles: 15 languages: Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish (Iberian), and Spanish (LATAM)
• Subtitle options: white text or color codes to each character e.g. Green for Hulk
• Closed Captions: closed captions for sound effects and narrative tracks for descriptive play, added to cinematics by default

 

Gameplay:

• Selective Vibration
• Multi-Tap Interact Style: Option for changing Multi-Tap to to HOLD, adjustable input requirements for interactions that require rapid button presses to complete, such as Quick Time Events       
• Difficulty Options: Easy - reduce combat barriers by decreasing enemy attack and defensive strength, easier counter. Normal, Hard, Brutal.

Camera customization options:

• Camera Sensitivity
• Shake Sensitivity: on screen shake
• Combat Camera Distance:
• Y Axis Flight Direction
• X/Y Access Aim Sensitivity
• Target Lock option
• Targeting Assistance
• Combat Camera Recovery

Controls:
Button Mapping: across PC and Console

HUD / UI:

• Menu Cursor Sensitivity
• Text Chat: Currently support Speech to Text and Text to Speech chat on Xbox via Game Chat Transcription setting.
• Tactical Awareness: highlights points of interest, guides players to next objective, highlights AI or co-op companions
• Auto-Equip Best Gear

WORK IN PROGRESS UPDATES

• High Contrast Mode UI
• Subtitle Sizing Options
• Motion Blur
• Reduce cognitive load

Accessibility is an ongoing pursuit as Marvel’s Avengers is an ambitious game for Crystal Dynamics, these settings have a profound impact on players, especially blind players.  More accessibility improvements coming after launch.


Check out full information on the third War Table of Marvel's Avengers.  Learn more about Marvel's Avengers Community Challenges, Spider-Man DLC and essential information of Marvel's Avengers.

Marvel's Avengers WAR TABLE FULL Details, Co-op, Story Trailer, Gameplay, Multiplayer

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