Visually impaired or blind? You can play video games too!
Gaming is no longer the preserve of people with perfect eyesight. More and more players with visual impairments are finding their way into virtual worlds thanks to improved accessibility options, adapted hardware and audio games. In this special feature, we take a closer look at what gaming with a visual impairment makes possible today.
What is visual accessibility in games?
Visual accessibility is about adapting a gaming experience so that players with impaired or no vision can also play. This can range from someone with colour blindness or low vision to someone who is completely blind.
Accessible games ensure that:
– Text is clearly legible (large, clear, with sufficient contrast).
– Navigation is not only visual but also provided via sound or vibration.
– Important information is not communicated exclusively through visual means.
– Menu structures and gameplay are understandable and can be controlled using assistive technology.
Tools & Technology
There are also tools available to make gaming accessible to people who are visually impaired or blind:
– Screen readers: such as NVDA, JAWS or VoiceOver. On consoles, there are built-in options such as Narrator on Xbox or VoiceOver on PlayStation.
– Screen magnifiers: Zoom on iOS, magnification options in Windows or on PlayStation.
– Braille displays: useful for navigating menus, less so for gameplay itself.
– Accessible controllers: such as the Xbox Adaptive Controller (with tactile buttons and attachable accessories).
Xbox Narrator & PlayStation VoiceOver
Both Microsoft and Sony have equipped their consoles with built-in screen readers, so that blind or visually impaired players can navigate menus independently and use their console without visual assistance.
Xbox Narrator
Narrator on Xbox is a screen reader that reads out text on the screen. It works on the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and is based on Microsoft’s Windows Narrator.
Key features:
– Reads out menus, settings, notifications and buttons.
– Works in multiple languages, including English, French, German and Spanish (Dutch is currently limited).
– Supports the use of headphones for private audio output.
– Responds instantly to the D-pad, triggers and buttons to provide feedback whilst navigating.
How to activate Xbox Narrator:
– Press and hold the Xbox button on your controller until the menu appears.
– Select “Accessibility” > “Narrator”.
– You can adjust the speed, pitch and voice.
Narrator is particularly useful when setting up the console, downloading games, and for games that do not have their own built-in speech output. More and more Xbox games are making additional use of this feature.
PlayStation VoiceOver
On PlayStation, VoiceOver is the standard screen reader. It works on the PlayStation 5 and, to a limited extent, on the PS4. It is based on Sony’s accessibility technology, which is also used on their smartphones.
Key features:
Reads out which button you have selected in menus, settings and the PlayStation Store.
Can be connected to Braille displays (in theory via external tools, but support is limited).
Adapts to your system’s language and region settings.
Works with both the DualSense controller and external accessories.
How to enable VoiceOver on PS5:
– Go to “Settings” > “Accessibility” > “Screen Reader”.
– Enable “Screen Reader”.
– Adjust the voice, speed and volume to your preference.
VoiceOver offers a clear voice and is particularly well-suited to everyday tasks such as launching games, adjusting settings or communicating with friends. Some PlayStation games (such as The Last of Us Part II) go one step further by having internal menus read aloud using their own speech systems.
Popular games with strong accessibility options
The Last of Us Part II (PS4/PS5)
One of the first AAA games to offer comprehensive accessibility options for blind players.
Features over 60 accessibility settings, including a dedicated mode for fully blind players.
3D audio cues, audio-based navigation aids, auto-aim, haptic feedback at interaction points, and text-to-speech for menus and text.
High-contrast mode makes characters, enemies and objects clearly visible to players with impaired vision.
QTEs (quick-time events) can be slowed down or disabled.
Developed with input from blind gamers such as Brandon Cole, and hailed as a milestone in inclusive game design.
God of War Ragnarök (PS5)
An action-adventure game with over 70 accessibility options, designed to support players with visual, motor and hearing impairments.
For players with low vision: large text, a customisable interface, high-contrast mode, and colour filters for colour blindness.
Automatic platforming, targeted camera adjustments and magnification of interaction points aid visual orientation.
Support for text-to-speech in menus, including the inventory and settings.
Audio cues enhance navigation and combat feedback, even outside the field of view.
Forza Horizon 5 (PC/Xbox Series
Accessible open-world racer with extensive support for visual impairments.
Screen reader support for menus and settings on Xbox.
Large, customizable UI elements (text, minimap, icons) and visual aids on the course.
Color blindness modes, disable motion blur, and contrast enhancement available.
Audio signals Provide direction and speed, usable in combination with vibration via controller.
Players can drive with greatly simplified controls and automatic functions, making it accessible to gamers with multiple disabilities.
The Vale: Shadow of the Crown (PC/Xbox)
A complete audio-driven action RPG, specially designed for blind and visually impaired players.
You play a young princess who was born blind and lives in exile. When her escort is attacked, she must survive by hearing, intuition, and sense of touch.
3D audio and spatial sound effects are the core of the gameplay: you hear enemies approaching, feel wind directions, and recognize the environment via sound texture.
Control via controller or keyboard is simple and responsive, with clear haptic feedback.
No visual interface: all information is delivered via audio – ideal for players with a total visual impairment.
Awarded multiple accessibility prizes and developed in collaboration with blind gamers.
Audio games: play completely without sight
There is also a separate category of games that can be played entirely without visuals. These audio-only games rely on sounds, music, and spatial audio to guide you:
A Blind Legend
A medieval adventure controlled with swipes and 3D audio. You play a blind knight who must save his daughter.Papa Sangre
Horror experience where you navigate in the dark using sound. Can only be played with headphones.BlindSide
A survival game based entirely on sound.
Audiogames.net: the central platform for audio gaming
If you are looking for games that run entirely on sound, is Audiogames.net the ultimate place. This website has existed since 2002 and is the worldwide platform for blind and visually impaired gamers looking for accessible games, wanting to share experiences, or having questions about software and hardware.
What can you find on Audiogames.net?
More than 600 games
The website contains an extensive database of audio-only and accessible games. You can search by genre, platform, operating system, and price (many games are free or affordable).Detailed descriptions
Every game in the database contains a description, information about the developer, gameplay explanations, and often user reviews or audio clips.Active community and forum
The site hosts a very active community with thousands of members. On the forum Gamers discuss new releases, give each other tips, and help with technical problems. Developers also actively ask blind players for feedback there to improve their games.Regular updates
The site is still maintained and updated with new games, news articles, and interviews with developers. There is also a focus on mobile apps and innovations in the sector.Educational and creative projects
Audiogames.net also links to experimental projects and tools that use 3D audio, binaural techniques, or haptic feedback — often originating from academia or the non-profit sector.
Why is this site important?
For people with a visual impairment, it is often difficult to find suitable games in regular app stores or through game shops. Audiogames.net centralizes this information in one accessible place, compiled by and for people with a visual impairment. This makes the platform not only informative but also particularly community-oriented. Visit them at www.audiogames.net
At Accessible Gaming, we collect accessibility information for each game and test accessories in practice. Are you looking for a specific game, or would you like to try out a demo using adapted equipment? Please feel free to get in touch with us or drop by on one of our test days.