Accessibility Solutions for Cognitive Deficits
What is cognition and executive function?
Cognition is defined as, “all forms of knowing and awareness, such as perceiving, conceiving, remembering, reasoning, judging, imagining, and problem solving.” (American Psychological Association, 2023). It is a important yet often overlooked aspect needed for a fun gaming experience. Cognition is a critical aspect of gaming and includes skills such as executive functioning, reading, and sensory processing. These are just some of the vital skills needed for the neurotypical gamer of today. For those who have deficits in this area, gaming becomes difficult, and even impossible. Not being able to beat a boss, complete a quest, or progress to the next level are all problems people with cognitive deficits may face. This leads to a frustrating, defeating gaming experience.
Explore the Built-In Accessibility of Modern Gaming Consoles
Gaming consoles like the Xbox One, One S, One X, Series X, Series S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 come equipped with comprehensive accessibility settings, making gaming more inclusive for all players. These features are thoughtfully integrated into each system, offering various options to customize gameplay to meet individual needs.
Click on the button below to find out more how you can customize specific consoles to address cognitive dysfunction.
General Cognition Solutions for Gaming
Navigation Aids
Navigation aids in video games offer a sense of structure and clarity within the game world. Features such as waypoints, minimaps, and objective markers serve as effective tools for guiding players through complex environments and tasks. For individuals with difficulties in memory, attention, or problem-solving, these aids provide a visual representation of their objectives, helping them stay focused and on track. By minimizing frustration and confusion, navigation aids allow individuals with cognitive impairments to fully immerse themselves in the gaming experience, fostering a greater sense of independence and enjoyment.
Video game examples featuring navigation aids: Red Dead Redemption 2, Super Mario Odyssey assist mode, Portal 2, Assasin’s Creed Origins, Assasin’s Creed Odyssey, The Last of Us 2
Difficulty Settings
Adjusting difficulty levels in video games can be a valuable tool in supporting gamers with cognitive deficits. For individuals with cognitive impairments, having the option to lower the difficulty can alleviate frustration and provide a sense of accomplishment. This flexibility allows gamers to engage with the game at a level that suits their cognitive abilities, promoting a positive experience and potential cognitive development. Adjusting difficulty levels also encourages problem-solving and critical thinking skills, allowing gamers with cognitive deficits to enhance their cognitive functions while enjoying the immersive world of gaming. Overall, the ability to adjust difficulty levels in video games serves as a beneficial feature that supports and empowers gamers with cognitive impairments. Click on the highlighted link to learn more.
Video game examples featuring adjustable difficulty settings: Megaman 11, Dead Space 3, Batman, Arkham Asylum, Forza Horizon 5, Dishonored, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, XCOM Chimera Squad
Practice Modes, Game Hints, and Tutorials
These features offer a safe and supportive environment for individuals to develop their skills and overcome challenges at their own pace. Practice modes provide the opportunity to repeatedly practice specific game mechanics, allowing players to improve their dexterity and cognitive abilities gradually. Game hints offer valuable assistance in navigating complex puzzles or providing prompts during critical moments. Additionally, tutorials provide step-by-step instructions and interactive demonstrations that allow players to understand game mechanics and controls at their own pace. This guidance not only helps to alleviate frustration but also promotes a sense of achievement and progress. By tailoring the gameplay experience to accommodate cognitive impairments, practice modes, and game hints empowers gamers to fully immerse themselves in the virtual world and enjoy the benefits and joys of gaming.
Video game examples featuring practice modes: NIOH, Star Fox Zero, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch, The Sims 4
Practice Modes, Game Hints, and Tutorials
These features offer a safe and supportive environment for individuals to develop their skills and overcome challenges at their own pace. Practice modes provide the opportunity to repeatedly practice specific game mechanics, allowing players to improve their dexterity and cognitive abilities gradually. Game hints offer valuable assistance in navigating complex puzzles or providing prompts during critical moments. Additionally, tutorials provide step-by-step instructions and interactive demonstrations that allow players to understand game mechanics and controls at their own pace. This guidance not only helps to alleviate frustration but also promotes a sense of achievement and progress. By tailoring the gameplay experience to accommodate cognitive impairments, practice modes, and game hints empowers gamers to fully immerse themselves in the virtual world and enjoy the benefits and joys of gaming.
Video game examples featuring practice modes: NIOH, Star Fox Zero, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch, The Sims 4
Practice Modes, Game Hints, and Tutorials
These features offer a safe and supportive environment for individuals to develop their skills and overcome challenges at their own pace. Practice modes provide the opportunity to repeatedly practice specific game mechanics, allowing players to improve their dexterity and cognitive abilities gradually. Game hints offer valuable assistance in navigating complex puzzles or providing prompts during critical moments. Additionally, tutorials provide step-by-step instructions and interactive demonstrations that allow players to understand game mechanics and controls at their own pace. This guidance not only helps to alleviate frustration but also promotes a sense of achievement and progress. By tailoring the gameplay experience to accommodate cognitive impairments, practice modes, and game hints empowers gamers to fully immerse themselves in the virtual world and enjoy the benefits and joys of gaming.
Video game examples featuring practice modes: NIOH, Star Fox Zero, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch, The Sims 4
Dyslexic Friendly Font
Traditional fonts can pose challenges for dyslexic players due to their lack of differentiation between similar characters and complex letterforms. There are a few video games that incorporate dyslexia-friendly fonts into their games, with larger letter spacing, simpler letterforms, and increased contrast between letters and backgrounds. Other games allow you to change the default font through the game settings.
Open Dyslexic Font was developed with the specific goal of enhancing readability for individuals with dyslexia. This font features unique letterforms designed to reduce letter flipping and increase legibility. Its larger bottom-heavy characters, slight slant, and bold outlines make it easier for dyslexic players to read in-game text, such as dialogue, menus, and instructions. By implementing the Open Dyslexic font, video game developers are improving inclusivity and accessibility in the gaming community, ensuring that players with dyslexia can fully engage and enjoy their gaming experiences. Click here to learn more about Open Dyslexia.
Video game examples featuring dyslexia friendly font: The Last Door, Disco Elysium
Click here for more dyslexia friendly games
Graphics and Audio Settings
Adjusting graphic and audio settings in video games can significantly enhance the experience for gamers with sensory integration deficits. These individuals often face challenges with sensory processing, such as difficulty filtering out irrelevant stimuli or becoming overwhelmed by sensory overload. Adjustments like reducing background noise, increasing text size, or altering visual effects can help minimize sensory distractions, allowing individuals to better focus on the game itself.
The presence of motion blur and motion bob in video games can also have a significant impact. While these effects are intended to enhance realism and create a sense of immersion, they can often be overwhelming for those with sensory sensitivities. The blurring of fast-moving objects and the bobbing motion can cause sensory overload, leading to discomfort, motion sickness, disorientation, and difficulty in processing visual information accurately. This can negatively affect gameplay experience, making it challenging for individuals with sensory processing deficits to engage fully and enjoy the game.
Video games that allow these settings to be adjusted can enhance the gaming experience for individuals with sensory integration deficits.
Video game examples featuring adjustable graphics and audio settings: Stardew Valley, Doom Eternal, The Last of Us II, Borderlands 3, Bioshock