Why I Avoid Rating Game Accessibility -Ability Powered

Picture of an "A+" written on notebook paper helping to describing why I avoid rating game accessibility.

Why I Avoid Rating Game Accessibility

Here at Ability Powered you see the typical gaming content. Sometimes I find articles to share, make first impressions, and create gameplay videos. I also try to post tips or guides for any that have disability or accessibility issues. There’s one thing you might notice is missing though… rating game accessibility.

Why Do I Avoid This?

Don’t get me wrong, if you watch my videos you’ll definitely pickup if I’m having fun, getting frustrated, or if I’m just getting bored. I can definitely be transparent with reactions. Those kind of opinions I don’t mind sharing. I love the game Don’t Starve, but dislike the game Chicken Shoot. If my site wasn’t for a more focused purpose I would definitely share my thoughts in a review format. Let’s face it though that’s not why you’re visiting Ability Powered. You want to know about accessibility and that’s something I can’t rate with scores or stars.

Accessibility Ratings & Why Not

I’m sure by now you’re wondering, “But Short, why not give out accessibility ratings to games?” One of your first videos did!” To that I say,” I’m sorry, and it was a mistake.” It’s a mistake to assume my experience can be the same as yours. The world of disabled gamers is so diverse. Even if you and I both share the exact same disease, the progression can make us 100% different. You might can click fast while I click slow. It’s a mistake to say “I can’t play this so you can’t!” It’s a mistake to say “This is THE MOST ACCESSIBLE GAME EVER! Buy it for all your disabled friends this holiday season!” I admit being the gamer that bought an “Accessible Indie Game of the Year” before and paid my monthly fun money budget for a horrible experience. I opened it with my headset on, alone, late at night, and for 30 minutes sat stuck in a game I couldn’t play or exit until help arrived.

Why Accessibility Ratings Bring Us Down

It’s not just that side of rating games that worries me. I never want there to be a game you’re really excited about, and me shoot it down based on a few hours of playing. In games that I struggle with, I don’t give up. If something isn’t ideal accessibility, I look for ways to change that and try to find alternative ways so I CAN play. So YOU can play. The Binding of Isaac is a prime example. Was it frustrating as a mouse-only gamer? YES! Would different input options have helped? Absolutely! Who finished the first section using on-screen keyboard regardless? This girl, that’s who.

Ratings with Experience

Now imagine if I had to score it based on my experience for a generalized mobility challenged gamers’ group. I’d say 2 out of 5 stars, because I only play with a mouse! But wait, what about the mobility challenged gamer that can only use a keyboard? That game rating wouldn’t be true for them. I refuse to be that gamer that doesn’t understand we’re all different. Different diseases. Different conditions. Different situations.

How I Support Accessibility

If I won’t rate a game, how can I help? That’s an easy one:

I promise to show people accessibility options in-game for games.
I promise to explain how I play.
I promise to share what I struggle with and what works well for me. This way not only will you get a heads up, but should a developer see it maybe they’ll listen and change how their games operate.
I promise to point out issues that might be a victory/problem for others even if they’re not for me.
I promise to share information and corrections to anything I get wrong. I will get things wrong and I will fix those mistakes, even trivial errors are important if it can help only one gamer.
I promise when problems arise that I’ll try to find ways to make them a little better, so someone CAN play the game they want. I won’t give up easily.
I promise to always share solutions to any hard mechanics that I can find or that others find. Just because it might not change my experience, it might change someone else’s.
I promise to try to find answers when people have accessibility questions.
I promise to try my best to show and share everything I can, so YOU can decide if a game is right for you.

Game Accessibility Ratings & You

Short seen sitting in her custom World of Warcraft wheelchair discussing why she avoids rating game accessibility. We are all completely different even though we share so much together. I understand that. But don’t take my word for it… no, really… don’t just take my word for it. Let me show you!