Game menus
Games feature a variety of different menus (Options/Graphics/Audio) this is done to separate different logically connected elements so they become easier to find for the users.
Accessibility options are located in menus
Annoyingly this is not a straightforward process many accessibility options will fall directly into the categories for already existing menus. Subtitles match perfectly with the audio settings and colour blindness adjustments will match well with the graphic settings while input recognitions will align with controls as well as general gameplay settings. In addition to that some settings like navigation assists will want their own space and will usually want a specific accessibility settings menu.
From a development point of view, this will usually offer 3 approaches.
- Add each setting to the relevant menu and use the accessibility settings menu as a place for everything that did not quite match with another category
- Add each setting to the accessibility menu and sort this menu into subcategories
- Add each option that would apply to more than one menu category to all of them
Pursuing any of these or another option should be fine as long as it is consistent throughout all menus.
Initial launch accessibility selection
Some accessibility options like screen readers or subtitles might be required for someone to start playing a game, but at the same time, they could be distracting for someone not needing them.
Showing a short list of menu options or an option to open the menu before the first cinematic or gameplay section starts, will allow users to adjust the experience to their needs without missing out on anything.
Example menus and features
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/the-last-of-us-part-ii/accessibility/
https://blog.playstation.com/2022/02/10/accessibility-features-in-horizon-forbidden-west/
