Gaming Industry Cuts Stall Accessibility Progress

The gaming industry once celebrated a surge in accessibility advancements, especially following high-profile titles like The Last of Us Part II that brought inclusive design into the spotlight. However, recent cutbacks and industry turmoil have caused this momentum to stall, leaving accessibility advocates and consultants facing significant challenges.

Consultants who had hoped for continued progress since 2020 now report a slowdown in accessibility initiatives. Budget cuts have led to the elimination of dedicated accessibility roles and the cancellation of consulting gigs without clear explanations. Remaining advocates are forced to justify even basic accessibility investments more rigorously.

This regression is compounded by a media landscape that has shifted focus away from accessibility, reducing the positive press that once motivated publishers to innovate in this space. Without this incentive, publishers hesitate to invest in new accessibility features, leading to a cycle of stagnation.

The community is also experiencing knowledge loss as many consultants leave the industry or work on a project-by-project basis without transferring critical accessibility insights between teams. This fragmentation means studios often repeat past mistakes or fail to build on previous successes.

Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Some games like South of Midnight continue to push accessibility boundaries, and companies such as Nintendo have begun signaling renewed interest in inclusive design. Additionally, efforts to standardize accessibility information on storefronts aim to improve transparency and encourage adoption.

The path forward requires persistence. Advocates emphasize the importance of repeatedly demanding accessibility features until they become industry standards. While the road is tough, maintaining pressure and sharing knowledge can help reverse the current stagnation and ensure that accessibility remains a priority in game development.