EA games, renowned for franchises like The Sims, FIFA, and Madden, is making significant strides in game development for people with disabilities. On International Day of People with Disabilities (Dec. 3), this electronic gaming company announced an expansion of its Patent Pledge. This pledge will now encompass dozens more patents for accessible technologies, putting inclusive design power in the hands of game developers. EA's Patent Pledge is a commitment to providing royalty-free IP to the gaming industry and a promise not to enforce patent infringements for the accessible technologies it offers.

New Technologies for Inclusive Gaming

The 23 new technologies introduced by EA include six audio and sound technologies. One notable addition is a new opensourced photosensitivity analysis plugin for the Unreal Engine 5 builder. This plug-in enables designers to test games in real-time using EA's IRIS tech. IRIS makes gameplay easier for those with epilepsy or other photosensitivities. The audio patents bring improved and simplified speech recognition along with more personalized speech options. This includes text-to-speech in the voice of video game characters and machine-learning powered voice aging. These options enhance in-game expression and make gaming more inclusive for gamers.There are also other offerings such as personalized music and sound settings for those with specific hearing needs. Haptic and touch screen technologies are part of the mix, along with a tool called Fonttik. Fonttik ensures visual fields and on-screen text are accessible to those with low vision. These are all part of EA's larger accessibility efforts."Among other things, these patented accessibility technologies could be a game-changer for players with speech disabilities or those who prefer or need assistance in verbally expressing themselves," explained EA. "They have the potential to make it possible for their speech to be more effectively recognized and reflected in-game, representing their age, emotion, language, and speaking style."EA senior vice president Kerry Hopkins wrote, "By making this technology available to others royalty-free, we aim to encourage the industry to collaborate and make video games more inclusive by removing unintended barriers to access."These initiatives by EA demonstrate their dedication to creating a more inclusive gaming environment and providing opportunities for disabled gamers to enjoy the world of gaming to the fullest.