Digital Accessibility Review : How PS5 promises for Play Has No Limits
I. Introduction
Market share of game console operating systems worldwide from 2012 to 2022 [1]
The PlayStation is a video gaming brand that was first launched in Japan in 1994 and marketed by Sony Entertainment. Over nearly 30 years, it has emerged as one of the gaming console systems with the highest market share worldwide from 2012 to 2022. The PlayStation aims to "strive to create a gaming experience without barriers that fits the needs of players of all abilities." Let's delve into the world that the PS5 has crafted. How does it construct a virtual world and push the boundaries to ensure accessibility for everyone without obstacles?
II. Disabled World Definitions of Disability Models
- Medical Model
The medical model of disability is presented as viewing disability as a problem of the person, directly caused by disease, trauma, or other health condition which therefore requires sustained medical care provided in the form of individual treatment by professionals.
- Social Model
The social model of disability sees the issue of "disability" as a socially created problem and a matter of the full integration of individuals into society.
- Functional Model
Practical perspective that identifies the limitations (or “functional impairments”) due to disability, with the intent to create and promote solutions to overcome those limitations.
- Economic Model
The economic model of disability defines disability by a person's inability to participate in work.
- Charity Model
The charity model of disability depicts disabled people as victims of circumstance who are deserving of pity.
III. Accessibility Features of PS5
To bridge the gap between PS5 and players and make gaming on the PS5 more inclusive for a diverse range of players, PlayStation has introduced several accessibility features for users to customize their own experience based on individual needs.
- Display and Sound
Zoom: Increase visibility by zooming in.
Color Correction: Provide four color templates for different visual accessibility needs.
Text: Adjust font size and thickness to better fit the user's reading preferences.
Auto-Scroll Speed: Adjust the speed of scrolling.
Reduce Motion: Minimize motion effects and screen movement.
- Screen Reader
Allow the screen reader to read aloud the text on the screen, with options for setting speech speed, voice type, and volume.
- Controllers
Customize the haptic feedback of the controller, including vibration intensity and trigger effect intensity. Additionally, users can add a second controller for assistance.
- Caption
Choose to enable or disable the caption feature when playing videos. Characters and captions can also be customized.
- Chat Transcription
Convert the voices of other players and game voice chats into text. Users can also have the entered text read aloud for others. Note that this function only works for games that support it.
According to the Functional Model, the PlayStation provides customized settings for elements on the screen, controller, and voice, intending to create solutions for disabilities, enabling easier access to games and providing equal opportunities for individuals to immerse themselves in the virtual world. Features such as chat transcription and screen readers enhance user interaction with other players, breaking down barriers for people experiencing temporary or permanent disabilities. The PlayStation aims to build a world where everyone has equal access to games, preventing isolation and discomfort from seeking help, which can be stressful and diminish one's sense of belonging.
With increased public attention to accessibility, more games are incorporating features to reduce limitations for players with disabilities. For example, "Forza Motorsport," a car racing game available on PlayStation's main competitor, Xbox, offers blind driving assists. By interpreting various auditory cues, blind gamers can perceive the track's edges and control car speed through engine sounds.
In conclusion, designing for inclusiveness means providing technical solutions that adapt to diverse individuals, rather than making anyone feel different or reliant on additional assistive technologies or human assistance. Technology should serve to assist humankind, ensuring that no one feels compelled to adapt technical products to participate fully in the world they belong to.
