Nintendo joins ESA’s new Accessible Games Initiative

At GDC 2025 today, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced the Accessible Games Initiative, a cross-industry effort to provide consumers with clear information about the accessibility features available in video games.

Nintendo will be participating as a founding member company along with Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo of America and Ubisoft. Sony Interactive Entertainment, Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games are also participating.

Here’s a bit of information about how it all works:

The primary purpose of the new Accessible Games Initiative is to help provide clear information about whether a specific video game has accessibility features and, if so, what those features are. The initiative is launching with a set of 24 “tags,” all with clear criteria about what each tag means. Sample tags include: clear text, large and clear subtitles, narrated menus, stick inversion and save anytime, among others. Over time, participating companies will place the Accessible Games Initiative tags near their game product information – for example on digital storefronts, product pages or digital catalogues. This can help provide players and other consumers, such as parents and teachers, with clear information about which features are in any given game before they make a purchase.

Other key facts:

• The full list of tags and their definitions/criteria are available at accessiblegames.com.
• The tags were developed with guidance and feedback sourced from players with disabilities, accessibility advocacy groups and game development teams, all of whom provided valuable insights about the real-world applications of the tags.
• The tags are launching in U.S.-English.
• The timeline for implementation of the tags will be determined on a company-by-company basis and is always voluntary.
• The tags will be located on participating companies’ digital storefronts, product pages and digital catalogues.
• In addition to player-facing definitions, the Accessible Games Initiative also has criteria available for developers to use the tags and help them develop their games with accessibility in mind.
• As feedback is gathered from the community, and new technologies and features are developed, we expect the existing tags to evolve and to introduce additional tags in the future.
• Accessible Games Initiative tags can coexist with other accessibility tags available in the marketplace.
• The use of Accessible Games Initiative tags is completely voluntary for video game companies and storefronts, but the tags are available for all to use.

ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis said today: “Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games. We are immensely proud to announce the Accessible Games Initiative in partnership with industry leaders. This initiative demonstrates how impactful we can be when we work together in our industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play.”