A New Age of Accessibility in Video Games

📅 TWIG Recap – March 27, 2025

Mar 28, 2025

Welcome back to TWIG (This Week in Geek), your favorite nerdy news breakdown hosted by Nerd Pastor Nate of Checkpoint Church! This week, we took a deep dive into one of the most exciting industry shifts in years—the Accessible Games Initiative, a movement designed to make video games more inclusive for all players.

🎮 What We’ve Been Watching, Playing, and Reading

Before jumping into the main topic, we shared what’s been keeping us entertained this week:

DGC’s Picks:

Watching: Persona 3 Stage Play (YouTube)
Playing: Metaphor: ReFantazio
Reading: Luke X Study (Discord study group)

Nate’s Picks:

Watching: BarryWasStreaming play Metal Gear Solid V, Bunnytail play Shin Megami Tensei V
Playing: Moonstone Island, Tribe Nine (briefly), considering AtomFall next
Reading: Infinite Fates, The Will of the Many (Checkpoint Book Club pick), ReAnima

🕹️ The Future of Accessibility in Gaming

🎯 What’s Changing?

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced the Accessible Games Initiative at GDC 2025. This industry-wide standard introduces 24 accessibility tags that will be added to game store pages and packaging. These tags will help players quickly identify key features such as:

✅ Narrated Menus – For visually impaired players
✅ Colorblind Modes – More accessible HUD and UI options
✅ Full Button Remapping – Custom controls for all playstyles
✅ Save Anytime – No more losing progress due to rigid save systems

This initiative has backing from major publishers like Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft, Square Enix, Riot Games, and Warner Bros.—a promising sign that accessibility will become a gaming standard.

🔥 Why It Matters

For many players, accessibility is the difference between playing and being excluded.

DGC, our guest this week, shared how accessibility directly impacts her gaming experience:

"Over the years, it’s been difficult for me to play certain games due to my vision. Having built-in accessibility features like narrated menus or color contrast adjustments is incredible—it makes a world of difference."

With these new tags, players will no longer have to search forums or rely on trial and error to determine if they can comfortably play a game.

🎖️ Games Leading the Way

Some studios have already set the bar for accessibility in gaming. Here are some standout titles:

🕊️ The Last of Us Part II – Over 60 accessibility options, including narrated menus, haptic feedback for dialogue, and high-contrast modes.
🏎️ Forza Horizon 5 – Features full button remapping, game speed adjustment, sign language interpreters, and narrated menus.
🏈 Madden 24 – Allows for one-button control and full voice narration throughout the game.
🌀 Psychonauts 2 – Introduced invincibility mode for players who struggle with platforming.

This initiative isn’t just about adding new features—it’s about making existing accessibility features more visible so players can make informed purchases.

📰 Nerd News Roundup

🔥 Game Informer Returns! The legendary gaming publication is back after being shut down by GameStop in 2024. Now independent, the team promises editorial freedom and a return to print issues.
🎮 Nintendo Direct Recap – Highlights include Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD Remakes, AI: The Somnium Files 3, Metroid Prime 4, and a new Rhythm Heaven game.

🎮 Upcoming Releases

🔵 Lazarus – From the creators of Cowboy Bebop & John Wick’s stunt choreographer, premiering April 5.
🔵 Devil May Cry (Netflix Anime) – The stylish demon-slaying franchise gets an animated adaptation.

😂 Meme of the Week

This week’s winner: Nate. Again.
🖼️ Meme: Epcot meets the Vatican

🎤 Final Thoughts

Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a core part of making gaming better for everyone. With the ESA’s new initiative, we’re finally seeing industry-wide efforts to make games more inclusive.

Huge thanks to DGC for joining this week! Keep up with Checkpoint Church for more faith-friendly nerdy discussions: 📍 Join us on Discord: discord.gg/checkpointchurch
📍 Follow us on YouTube & Twitch: Checkpoint Church

And as always, remember: 💙 God loves you.
🎮 We love you.
✨ You matter.

See you next week on TWIG! 👾