AbleToPlay: A Game-Changing Platform for Accessible Gaming
Good Trouble is proud to introduce AbleToPlay, a groundbreaking platform dedicated to game discovery with an emphasis on accessibility. Set to launch on March 10, this innovative service aims to assist gamers with disabilities in discovering playable games tailored to their unique needs.
Revolutionizing Game Discovery Through Personalized Scoring
AbleToPlay features the world’s premiere Personalized Score system, designed specifically for gamers with disabilities and their families. This tool allows users to quickly identify games that suit their accessibility preferences. Endorsed by industry leaders at the World Institute on Disability, AbleToPlay is at the forefront of transforming how individuals find enjoyable gaming experiences that meet their requirements. Interested users can already sign up for early access.
The Struggle for Accessible Gaming
Consider a gamer facing significant physical limitations – how would they determine whether a video game includes necessary accessibility adaptations? For over 500 million individuals worldwide who live with disabilities, finding suitable games often entails extensive research, regrettable purchases of unplayable titles, and overwhelming frustration. This situation echoes initiatives like Microsoft’s 2018 introduction of the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which recognized this ongoing need within the gaming community.
Inspiration Behind Good Trouble
Arman Nobari, founder of Good Trouble—a studio dedicated to inclusive gaming—shared that his drive stems from personal experiences battling cancer as well as witnessing friends struggle during hospital stays without engaging gaming options.
Nobari stated in a recent blog post: “My friends in the hospital couldn’t leave through gameplay like I could; hence my mission became creating entertaining experiences catered for them.” In his exploration of current games that offer accessibility features tailored toward individuals with certain disabilities, he realized an unmet opportunity existed.
“Rather than adding more new titles into circulation,” he explained further, “we decided it was crucial to help players discover existing titles equipped with required adaptive features.” The aim was not just about populating game listings but revolutionizing how users can access these resources efficiently.
A Year-Long Journey into Research and Development
Nobari recounted an intensive year spent conducting research and development—interacting extensively with thousands of disabled gamers along with various industry stakeholders such as studios and nonprofits including Child’s Play and Games For Change—to mold their vision effectively.
“We assembled a team comprised of acclaimed developers passionate about accessible design,” he reflected. “After building prototypes while actively seeking community feedback, we are thrilled to present our finalized product.”
A Vision for Confidence in Choice
Nobari emphasizes that everything hinges on whether AbleToPlay genuinely supports those needing accessible gaming options alongside their families. “As our prototype rolled out,” he admitted candidly regarding initial feelings intertwined between excitement and nerves while tackling such important social issues—“I began seeing firsthand how vital this platform has become.” He proudly noted an entire segment on their homepage dedicated solely towards user testimonials highlighting stories where AbleToPlay filled gaps they encountered previously when searching out compatible gameplay opportunities.