The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has launched the Accessible Games Initiative, a cross-industry effort to provide people with clear information about the accessibility features available in video games.

The Accessible Games Initiative was developed by five founding member companies: Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, and Ubisoft. Additional companies have now joined the initiative, including Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games.

The primary purpose of the new Accessible Games Initiative is to help provide clear information about whether a specific video game has accessibility features and, if so, what those features are.

The initiative is launching with a set of 24 “tags”, all with clear criteria about what each tag means. Sample tags include clear text, large and clear subtitles, narrated menus, stick inversion, and save anytime, among others.

The tags will be in American English. They were developed with guidance and feedback sourced from disabled gamers, accessibility advocacy groups, and game development teams, which provided valuable insights about the real-world applications of the tags.

Over time, participating companies will place the Accessible Games Initiative tags near their game product information, for example on digital stores, product pages, or digital catalogues. This can help provide players and other consumers, such as parents and teachers, with clear information about which features are in any given game before they make a purchase.

In addition to player-facing definitions, the Accessible Games Initiative also has criteria available for developers to use the tags and help them develop their games with accessibility in mind.

The Accessible Games Initiative will be managed by the ESA, a trade association representing the US video game industry.

Last year, Xbox unveiled a raft of accessibility options and features that are designed to enhance the gaming experience for disabled people. These included the Xbox Adaptive Joystick and 3D-printable adaptive thumbstick toppers.