Steam updates accessibility labels

Last year, the biggest PC video game platform implemented accessibility labels, a way to identify the accessibleoptions that different titles have and even apps within the Steam catalog. In order to achieve this task, the developers need to complete a very practical form that allows users to know what type of accessibility the product has.

A few days ago, the initiative was enhanced with an update that clarifies some confusing concepts and adds lots of content specifically related to visual accessibility.

A new naming convention

The label "Playable without Timed Input" was renamed "Playable without Quick Time Events" since according to Steam itself, the original name was not entirely clear.

Strangely, in the same category of Input the option "Playable at your own pace" is included, one that is designed more for turn-based games or the so-called visual novels. Maybe this option would have better footwear in the "Gameplay" category but let’s say it's a bit of a gray area.

Visual accessibility as the main aim

The update adds two tags to the Visual category. The first is "Playable without Vision" designed for blind people or for those productions with great compatibility with screen readers. The other addition is the "Contrast Controls" label that announces that the game includes options to adjust the contrast in various ways.

It is important to note that it is not yet mandatory for developers to include these tags but that there are already more than 22,000 games and apps that have completed the form to have them displayed in their products.