Accessibility in video games is a trending topic right now and it seems a number of industry professionals are confusing this with an easy mode for video games. Accessibility does not concern whether or not you get an easy mode, it means that the players get options. The debate started because of how hard Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice can be. People commented on whether or not the game should have an easy mode and this has turned into a rather widespread debate.
Some people think that there should be options for everyone. Players should have the ability to change the difficulty level and other settings in a game. Others claim that the experience should be the same across the board and that this is a way of expression for the developer. Both sides have valid claims.
Steve Spohn, COO of Able Gamers, an organization that dedicates itself to making video games more accessible to people with disabilities touched on the matter and the following is what he had to say in this regard:
“I’m honestly getting tired of repeating myself. So this is my last Twitter statement on this. People, influential people, journalists and the media outlets are making this confusing by continuing to use the language “easy mode” – Accessibility means options, not easy gameplay.”
He mentioned that he thinks that players should have the option to change different things in the game such as how much health the player has and other stats like that. God of War director Cory Barlog also talked about the matter and the following is what he had to say about the matter:
“Accessibility has never and will never be a compromise to my vision.”
Rami Ismail agreed with Cory and mentioned that he would never compromise on accessibility either. So the point here is that the player should have access to different features and that the media is making it sound like developers are in favor of an easy mode. That is not the case here. It might seem like it but you need to look at the bigger picture here in order to see what is actually going on.
Let us know what you think about this accessibility in video games debate and whether or not you agree with what these developers have said about the matter.
