Ubisoft is taking a major step towards inclusivity with the upcoming Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This 2.5D Metroidvania title, set for release on January 18, 2024, will be the first Ubisoft game to feature a High Contrast Mode, making it more accessible for players with low vision.
This announcement comes amidst a growing conversation about accessibility in gaming.
While many developers have implemented features like adjustable font sizes and audio cues, High Contrast Mode is a relatively new addition to the accessibility toolbox.
It essentially alters the game’s visuals to create a sharper distinction between foreground and background elements, making it easier for players with visual impairments to navigate the environment and identify key objects.
“Accessible design is good design,” said senior game designer Rémi Boutin in a recent developer video. “We want to provide a challenging game, but we really want to make sure that everyone can tweak the experience to their fitting.”
Ubisoft’s commitment to accessibility goes beyond simply adding a High Contrast Mode.
The Lost Crown will also feature a variety of other accessibility options, including adjustable text size, colorblind-friendly palettes, and the ability to remap controls.
“We had a lot of data to tag – enemies, allies, the player, all the rewards, traps,” Boutin explained. “It was a lot of data to process to be sure that people with low vision can play and understand what is happening on the screen.”
This is a significant step forward for Ubisoft, a company that has not always been at the forefront of accessibility efforts. In the past, the company has been criticized for neglecting accessibility features in its games, making them difficult or impossible for some players to enjoy.
The inclusion of High Contrast Mode in The Lost Crown is a clear indication that Ubisoft is taking accessibility seriously. This move sets a positive precedent for the industry as a whole and could encourage other developers to follow suit.
Beyond The Lost Crown: A Broader Trend Towards Inclusivity
Ubisoft’s decision to embrace accessibility with The Lost Crown is part of a larger trend within the gaming industry.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of making games accessible to all players, regardless of their abilities.
This is due in part to the efforts of advocacy groups like AbleGamers and the Game Accessibility Guild, which have been working to raise awareness of accessibility issues in gaming. Additionally, the increasing popularity of streaming and esports has made it more visible when games are not accessible to everyone.
As a result of these factors, more and more developers are starting to take accessibility seriously. We are seeing more games with robust accessibility features, such as The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima.
Additionally, there are a number of independent studios that are developing games specifically for players with disabilities.
The inclusion of High Contrast Mode in The Lost Crown is a welcome development, and it is one that I hope will be followed by many other games in the future. By making games more accessible, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the magic of gaming.
