EA Games, the esteemed developer known for popular franchises such as *The Sims*, *FIFA*, and *Madden*, is enhancing its dedication to fostering inclusive gaming experiences for players with disabilities.
To commemorate International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3, the company unveiled an extension of its [Patent Pledge](https://www.ea.com/news/2024-accessibility-patent-pledge). This initiative provides royalty-free access to an expanding array of EA’s accessibility-centric technologies, empowering game developers throughout the industry to craft more inclusive games. Through this pledge, EA avows not to pursue patent infringements on these technologies, promoting the broad uptake of accessible design principles.
### New Technologies for Accessibility
The expansion adds 23 new technologies, which include six innovations related to audio and sound, as well as a newly open-sourced photosensitivity analysis plug-in for [Unreal Engine 5](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/unreal-engine-5). This plug-in utilizes EA’s IRIS technology, allowing developers to assess their games in real-time for photosensitivity triggers, thereby enhancing the safety of gameplay for individuals with epilepsy or other sensitivities.
The audio patents encompass advancements in speech recognition and tailored speech options, including text-to-speech functionalities that replicate the voices of video game characters and machine-learning tools for voice aging. These innovations seek to enhance in-game communication, especially for players with speech disabilities or those needing assistance with verbal expression.
“These patented accessibility technologies could significantly improve the gaming experience for players with speech disabilities or those who require assistance with verbal communication,” EA stated. “They allow for speech to be better recognized and represented within games, reflecting aspects like age, emotion, language, and speaking style.”
### Broader Accessibility Efforts
EA has also rolled out other innovative accessibility technologies, such as customized audio settings for players with unique hearing requirements, haptic feedback, touchscreen advancements, and *Fonttik*, a tool crafted to ensure that on-screen text and visuals are accessible to players with low vision. These initiatives form part of EA’s wider [accessibility initiatives](https://www.ea.com/accessibility), which strive to eliminate barriers and promote inclusivity in gaming.
“By providing this technology to others royalty-free, we aim to inspire the industry to collaborate in making video games more inclusive by eliminating unintended access barriers,” remarked Kerry Hopkins, EA’s senior vice president.
EA’s commitment to accessibility embodies an increasing industry-wide effort to guarantee that video games are enjoyable and accessible to all players, regardless of their abilities.