Microsoft publishes revised Xbox accessibility guidelines

The company is committed to “constantly improving and raising the bar for inclusive gaming”

Microsoft has just announced new plans for accessibility measures, with a revised edition of the Xbox Accessibility Guidelines (XAGs).

The Xbox Accessibility Guidelines provide a “comprehensive set of best practices” for the gaming industry to follow. Developed by the Microsoft Gaming Accessibility team, the guidelines help designers test the accessibility of a game.

In a blog post published yesterday (February 17), Microsoft introduced the revised edition of the XAGs, featuring improvements based on feedback from both the development community and the gaming and disability community.

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Xbox Adaptive Controller
Credit: Microsoft

Developers can now send Xbox or PC games directly to the Microsoft accessibility team to test inclusivity measures.

Should they find any issues with a game, the development team will be provided with reproduction steps and screenshots, showing how a certain aspect of a game may be challenging for an individual with disabilities.

Microsoft also released the Xbox Adaptive Controller in 2018, a modular controller that makes user input more accessible for a range of disabilities. The controller can be customised in a number of ways, and can even work on competitor consoles.

Microsoft has also been working on improving features across the Xbox Series S & X, including efforts to expand the quick resume feature.

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