EA Unveils 23 New Patents to Boost Gaming Accessibility, Doubling Previous Initiative
December 5, 2024This initiative particularly benefits players with disabilities, including those who experience photosensitive seizures or have speech impairments.
This is not the first instance of EA sharing its proprietary technology; the company previously opened its ping system from Apex Legends, benefiting titles like Call of Duty: Warzone and Fortnite.
Kerry Hopkins, EA's SVP of Global Affairs, emphasized the company's commitment to making games accessible to everyone and removing barriers for players worldwide.
EA has also established an accessibility portal online, where players can learn about accessibility features, raise concerns, and suggest improvements.
Blanca Macazaga Zuaz, an engineer for IRIS, highlighted the importance of early testing to identify potential issues in game development and the role of open-source contributions to accessibility.
This expansion more than doubles the number of patents EA has made available since initiating its accessibility pledge in 2021.
In a significant move to enhance gaming accessibility, Electronic Arts (EA) has added 23 new patents to its initiative allowing the game industry to use its accessibility-related technologies at no cost.
Among the notable releases is an Unreal Engine 5 plugin named IRIS, which analyzes frames in real-time to identify potential triggers for photosensitive players.
The new patents also include technologies for improved speech recognition and personalized speech capabilities, aimed at assisting players with speech disabilities.
In addition to the patents, EA's PQI team is conducting accessible design workshops and expanding testing capabilities to prioritize accessibility in game design.
The announcement coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, reflecting EA's dedication to inclusivity in the gaming industry.
One innovative patent utilizes machine learning to modify a player's voice to sound older, while another assesses player emotions during gameplay to adjust background music accordingly.
Summary based on 7 sources
Get a daily email with more Tech stories
Sources
Forbes • Dec 5, 2024
Electronic Arts Announces More Accessibility PatentsThe Verge • Dec 5, 2024
EA adds more tech patents to its accessibility programEurogamer.net • Dec 6, 2024
EA makes more patents public in commitment to improve gaming accessibility