Every December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities spotlights the importance of awareness, understanding, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. At Xbox, we believe play is a crucial part of modern society that everyone should have access to. We’re dedicated to crafting inclusive gaming experiences that allow players to engage with games and communities in ways that resonate with them.
We want to take a moment to honor those in the Gaming and Disability community who’ve collaborated with us on projects to make our gaming experiences more accessible. One notable example is Principal Firmware Engineer Stan Adermann. His personal experience with Essential Tremor and hand pain from years of software development inspired some of our latest controller remapping innovations.
Stan explained, "Playing certain PC games exacerbated my pain. This led me to explore ways to simplify controller use on PCs for players with similar challenges or those seeking more gameplay customization. It began with mapping mouse movements to controllers and adjusting joystick movements to align with button presses."
From our recently unveiled Xbox Adaptive Joystick and 3D-printable thumbstick toppers available through Xbox Design Lab to updates we’re thrilled to share, these initiatives aim to dismantle obstacles for more players across our software, hardware, and gaming titles. We owe much to individuals with disabilities whose insights have been crucial in developing inclusive gaming experiences.
Remapping Options for Xbox Adaptive Controller and Elite Series 2
Key remapping lets players redefine default key functions on keyboards, mice, or controllers to better match their preferences or needs. Our latest updates to the Xbox Accessories App enhance input remapping for the Elite Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controllers:
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Toggle Holds: This feature simplifies controller use for players who struggle with maintaining button presses, akin to sticky keys on a computer, keeping a button ‘pressed’ until tapped again to release.
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Stick Movement to Button Presses: Players can now assign the directions of their Elite Series 2 thumbsticks or external joysticks attached to the Xbox Adaptive Controller to specific buttons or keyboard keys. Imagine mapping an upward stick movement to function like pressing the "B" button.
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Mouse Inputs Mapped to Controller: Joystick movements can now mirror mouse cursor actions, and buttons can be mapped to mouse clicks. This feature allows controllers to mimic a mouse and keyboard setup for various tasks, like watching a game guide on YouTube or drafting a PowerPoint presentation.
- Hat Switch to Joystick Mapping: For joysticks with hat switches, players can map these to operate as the opposite stick on their Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Visual Accessibility Enhancements for Diablo IV
In Diablo IV, accessibility was paramount during development. Led by accessibility developer Drew McCrory, the team added new features for players with visual impairments:
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Auto-Pin: Automatically sets a map pin for your selected quest or task.
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Audio Navigation Assistance: Provides spatial audio cues guiding the player toward their map pin, working with auto-pin to help in quest navigation.
- Compass: Adds a HUD element that orbits the player, pointing them toward their map pin, working with auto-pin for consistent navigation aid.
Recently, these efforts earned Diablo IV a nomination for "Innovation in Accessibility" at the 2024 Game Awards.
Accessibility Features in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The latest Call of Duty iteration, Black Ops 6, introduces features like asymmetrical hearing compensation and a revamped high contrast mode. Developed with input from accessibility advocates and building on Modern Warfare III’s features, it also offers new settings like arachnophobia options, additional HUD layouts, and Intelligent Movement to support diverse player needs. These efforts have also earned a nod for "Innovation in Accessibility" at The Game Awards.
Celebrating the Life of Ibelin in World of Warcraft
With the Netflix release of “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin,” World of Warcraft honors Mats “Ibelin” Steen, who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, by introducing the Reven pack. Named after the Norwegian word for "fox," this companion supports CureDuchenne, a nonprofit leading efforts in research and care for those with the disease.
For further details on our commitment to Inclusive Design, visit Microsoft’s resources online.
