Accessibility
Ongoing coverage on Accessibility.
Latest coverage
I Played WoW: Forever On A Controller, And That’s Big News
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that World of Warcraft: Forever will feature full controller support at launch, a significant development for the MMORPG series. While in alpha during a BlizzCon demo, the controller implementation worked surprisingly well, offering intuitive controls for combat and interaction, though inventory management remains cumbersome. This move could pave the way for potential console versions and improves accessibility on PC.
Control Resonant's assist mode can make your life harder, if you're "actively looking for pain"
Remedy Entertainment's upcoming game, Control Resonant, will feature an assist mode that allows players to customize difficulty and accessibility settings. Lead Gameplay Designer Sergey Mohov explained that the system is designed to cater to players seeking a challenge as well as those who want to tailor the experience to their needs, emphasizing that adjustments will not impact achievement eligibility.
Zero Parades: Director’s Cut Revealed And PS5 Edition Release Date Announced
ZA/UM Studio has announced the Director's Cut version of Zero Parades, which will be a free update for existing PC owners on October 1. A PlayStation 4 version is set to release on November 3, with a PlayStation 5 edition also coming soon. The Director's Cut adds substantial new content, including a new Dramatic Encounter, the ability to explore earlier versions of levels, developer commentary, re-recorded voiceovers, and numerous improvements to accessibility, controls, and interface.
Marvel’s Wolverine Voice Actor is Proud of Having Voiced Logan Despite Criticisms
Liam McIntyre, the voice actor for Logan in Marvel's Wolverine, expressed pride in his performance despite the game's divisive reception. He drew parallels to his earlier career, noting his experience with beloved characters and criticism. Insomniac Games and Marvel Games thanked him for his work, and the developer is actively gathering player feedback to refine the experience.
Duskfade Interview – Player Feedback, Future Content, Accessibility, And More
Weird Beluga discusses player feedback on Duskfade, noting that many players connect with the game's emotional story and nostalgic gameplay. The studio is considering future content, potentially exploring new characters or timelines, and is looking to improve combat based on reviews. Inspirations for the clockpunk aesthetic include Alice: Madness Returns and the desire to evoke feelings of time and memory.
Marvel’s Wolverine Doesn’t Display Scent Trails All the Time, Says Community Director
Insomniac Games' community director James Stevenson clarified that the scent trail mechanic in Marvel's Wolverine is not always active and represents Logan's tracking abilities. This addresses discussions stemming from reviews that questioned its presence in accessibility options. The game is set to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5.
Control Resonant’s Assist Mode Lets You Adjust the Challenge (And Won’t Gate Trophies/Achievements)
Remedy Entertainment has introduced an Assist Mode for Control Resonant, allowing players to customize enemy aggression, projectile speed, and other mechanics to adjust the challenge. Notably, using these options will not prevent players from earning Trophies or Achievements, aligning with the game's theme of player choice. Control Resonant is set to launch on September 24th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
"We want to invite people into this big tent with this grimdark setting": Creative Assembly on how they plan to ease strategy newbies into Total War: Warhammer 40,000
Creative Assembly aims to make Total War: Warhammer 40,000 approachable for new players with two tutorial campaigns that introduce systems gradually. The developers want to welcome newcomers to the grimdark setting while showcasing what makes the Total War series great, with plans for ongoing updates rather than sequels.
Marvel’s Wolverine Review – Claws and effect
Marvel's Wolverine is a dark and brutal cinematic action-adventure that excels with its gratifying combat and heartfelt story about trauma. Insomniac Games delivers strong performances and impressive production values on the PlayStation 5, though some 'gamey' elements feel shoehorned in and it doesn't significantly innovate on the superhero genre. The game offers a compelling narrative with intense action balanced by character moments.
Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch update 23.0.0 out now, patch notes – VRR support in docked mode, Mii Maker music, and more
Nintendo has released system update version 23.0.0 for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Key features include Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support in docked mode when connected to a compatible TV, new music tracks for the Mii Maker, and improvements to system stability and user experience. The update also adds options for virtual game cards, system transfers to the Switch 2, and enhanced accessibility features.
Nintendo Switch 2 update 23.0.0 patch notes add VRR support in TV mode
Nintendo Switch 2 has received system update 23.0.0, introducing Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support in TV mode, system-to-system transfers, and the ability to use other controllers while Handheld Boost Mode is active. The update also includes enhancements to GameChat, Virtual Game Cards, accessibility options, audio and display settings, Mii creation, and sleep mode features.
Total War: Warhammer 40k is aiming to be the most complex and most accessible game Creative Assembly has ever made - here's how the devs managed both
Creative Assembly aims to make Total War: Warhammer 40,000 both the most complex and most accessible game in the series. Developers Joy Dey and Dave Petry explain how new systems, detailed combat simulation, and a robust tutorial campaign are designed to cater to both veteran players and newcomers to the Total War and Warhammer franchises.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush Review – Kick it into gear
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush offers gorgeous visuals and fitting music for its diverse islands, making it feel like playing with the toy cars. However, the campaign becomes repetitive, the controller scheme is not newcomer-friendly, and specific race requirements can be rigid, leading to a game best enjoyed in short bursts.
Guild Wars 3 wants to solve every MMO's biggest problem, and might actually pull it off: "No subscription fee…
ArenaNet is aiming to solve the biggest challenge in the MMO space with Guild Wars 3: making the genre more accessible and less like a 'second job.' Studio head Colin Johanson discussed how the game will focus on approachability and depth without a subscription fee, allowing players to engage meaningfully in shorter play sessions and return after breaks without falling behind. This focus on player time and a less demanding relationship with the game aims to attract both veteran MMO players and a new generation.
The Witcher 3 Remastered lets you ignore everyone's least favorite RPG mechanics
CD Projekt Red is enhancing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with a remaster that includes visual upgrades and a new 'Bard's Ballad' accessibility suite. This suite allows players to disable or modify mechanics like item weight, durability, and underwater sections, aiming to make the game more approachable for players with limited time or attention spans. The remaster will be a free upgrade for existing owners and includes the original expansions.
Marvel’s Wolverine – Everything You Need to Know
Marvel's Wolverine, developed by Insomniac Games, is set to launch exclusively for PlayStation 5 on September 15th. The game will feature a linear narrative focusing solely on Wolverine, with gameplay elements including a rage system, parrying, stealth sections, and extensive suit customization. It will offer performance modes with 60 FPS and ray tracing at launch, alongside robust accessibility options and New Game Plus.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 – 10 New Details You May Not Know
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, launching August 25th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, introduces new classes, extensive cosmetic customization with no microtransactions, and deeper class modifiers. The game features smarter Xenomorphs and Synths, a robust Combat Rating system for character progression, detailed lifetime statistics, and enhanced accessibility options compared to its predecessor.
"We ended up kind of cornered there": Mortal Shell 2 devs say they didn't intend to "lock everybody out" by disabling achievements for Slayer Seal "easy mode" users
Mortal Shell 2 developers Cold Symmetry have addressed player complaints regarding the disabling of Steam achievements for those using the Slayer Seal 'easy mode'. They explained that the intention was to offer a separate set of achievements for this mode, but technical limitations with the disc version prevented this. The team may introduce new accessibility tools or achievements in future post-launch content.
Triple-A vets and accessibility experts launch new game dev co-op: Raze and Rebuild Studio
Veteran game developers and accessibility experts have launched Raze and Rebuild Studio, a new worker-owned cooperative. The studio aims to address industry layoffs and create games with impact, focusing on real-world experiences and accessibility in both development and gameplay. They are currently developing their debut project without external funding, seeking grants and partners.
The Blood of Dawnwalker – 15 Huge Details You Probably Missed
The Blood of Dawnwalker will feature a 50-70 hour playthrough with a consequence-based story and multiple ending conditions. The game will include dynamic weather affecting gameplay, advanced accessibility options, and quality-of-life features like manual saves. PC requirements are detailed, with no Denuvo, while the Xbox Series X will support 4K and ray tracing, with Xbox Play Anywhere functionality also confirmed.
