Accessibility in video games is continuing to be an important and integral part of the entertainment medium. There have beenmajor improvements with accessibiltiy in games, as new features work toward the ultimate goal of allowing anyone and everyone to enjoy games together. Recently, the second annualVideo Game Accessibility Awardswas held, and games likeHalo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5,andGuardians of the Galaxytook home awards.
The 2021 Video Game Accessibility Awards took place yesterday. A stream that was hosted by Alanah Pearce - along with the help ofAbleGamers COO Steve Spohn- the awards lasted nearly an hour and a half and covered topics such as remapping abilities, skip sections, and readable text. Triple-A games made big steps in 2021, but so did some indie titles as well.
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Video Game Accessibility Awards Winners and Nominees
The Second Channel award was won byGuardians of the Galaxy,withBefore Your EyesandUnpackingbeing the other nominees. The award is designed around players having a second means to get important information.Guardians of the Galaxyapparently undersold, but it reviewed well and had some strong features.
Halo Infinitewon the award for Clear Text, which focuses on players having reliable options for reading text.Boyfriend Dungeonand thebeloved indie titleLoop Herowere the other nominees. Meanwhile,Before Your Eyeswon the Input Reduction award. The best games that reduce the input for necessary tasks were considered, withFights in Tight SpacesandEscape from Tarkovbeing the other nominees.
Life is Strange: True Colorswon the Ability to Bypass award.Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apartand theextremely accessibleUnpackingwere also nominated. The AI Assistance award is for games that help players progress with the help of an in-game AI.Forza Horizon 5won, withFar Cry 6andPsychonauts 2also being nominated.
The Remapping award was taken home byFinal Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, withRatchet and Clank: Rift Apartagain being nominated alongsideIt Takes Two. The Hazelight Studios' game did not leave empty-handed, however, asIt Takes Twowon the Peer Assistance award. The award is designed to praise games that allow for progress assistance from another player.Age of Empires IVandBack 4 Bloodwere also nominated.
Halo Infinitewon its second award, thanks to itsvery helpful Academy mode. The Training Grounds award celebrates titles that allow for players to increase their skill outside the main experience.Monster Hunter RiseandBack 4 Bloodwere nominated as well. Meanwhile,Far Cry 6won the Improved Precision award, withBack 4 Bloodagain being nominated, alongsideChivalry 2.
An interesting twist to the fun was theVideo Game Accessibility Awards' House Rules honors.Among Uswon the award as the only game nominated due to its remarkable ability to let players make their own rules. The virtual award show also saw plenty of guests as presenters, including Ethan Nestor, DrLupo, and Sweet Anita.
