How Call of Duty Advances Gaming Accessibility for All Players

Call of Duty, one of the world’s most popular game franchises, has recently made notable strides in accessibility to ensure a wider range of players can enjoy its games. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, developers shared insights into how they design and implement accessibility features that cater to diverse player needs.

Accessibility features in video games include settings such as subtitles, field-of-view sliders, audio descriptions, and gameplay skip options. These features have become increasingly sophisticated, reflecting the industry’s growing commitment to inclusivity.

According to Christian Auger-Morin, senior system designer at Beenox, accessibility is integrated early in the development process through “accessibility by design,” which identifies and addresses barriers from the outset. This proactive approach ensures that the baseline design is accessible to as many players as possible.

Francesco Galletti, senior software engineer at Raven, emphasizes that accessibility is a continuous journey driven by player feedback and empathy: “It’s a journey rather than a checkbox,” he explains, underscoring the importance of understanding what prevents players from fully enjoying the game.

Recent accessibility features in Call of Duty include:

• Asymmetrical hearing compensation to aid players with hearing loss
• High contrast visual settings and arachnophobia mode for enhanced comfort
• Customizable HUDs to tailor the interface for individual needs
• Low Motor Strain presets including Stick Deadzone adjustments to reduce physical input effort

Varun Sharma, associate director of online engineering at Treyarch, who has hearing loss himself, led the development of asymmetrical hearing compensation. His team’s approach began with educating others about the issue and innovating solutions during an internal game jam.

Developers note that accessibility features often benefit a broader audience than initially expected. Features designed for specific needs can enhance comfort and usability for all players, demonstrating the universal value of inclusive design.

The gaming industry as a whole is embracing accessibility, with initiatives like the Accessible Games Initiative launched by the Entertainment Software Association. This framework helps players easily identify games with accessibility features, promoting wider adoption.

Importantly, accessibility is not just for players with disabilities. Many features, such as automatic reload and customizable controls, improve the experience for all gamers, making gameplay more intuitive and enjoyable.

In summary, Call of Duty’s commitment to accessibility reflects a broader industry trend toward inclusive game design. By integrating accessibility from the earliest stages and continuously refining features based on player feedback, developers are creating games that welcome and empower all players.