When most people think about accessibility in games, they picture subtitles, colorblind modes, and screen readers, and they’re not wrong. But some of the most exciting accessibility work happening right now goes far beyond checklists. Across the commercial games industry, we’re seeing standout examples of inclusive design that both broaden access and improve the experience for everyone. At Filament Games, we provide educational game development services for every platform, every age, and every learner, and we’ve found a lot of inspiration in how commercial studios approach accessibility. The four examples below offer powerful, practical lessons for anyone developing educational games or simulations.
Forza Horizon 5 integrates accessibility at every level of design without compromising its high-octane pace. Players can enable ASL and BSL interpreter overlays, adjust visual settings for colorblindness, remap every control, and access full screen reader support. It’s a fast, flashy game that remains remarkably inclusive, proving that accessibility and performance aren’t mutually exclusive.
Celeste offers a refreshingly thoughtful approach to difficulty through its Assist Mode, which lets players customize their experience without penalty. Options like invincibility, game speed adjustments, and infinite stamina are framed not as cheats, but as tools to support persistence and progress. Combined with the game’s open acknowledgment of mental health themes, Celeste delivers an empathy-rich experience that feels designed with care. For developers building skill-based systems, it’s a powerful case for scaffolding and user-defined challenge.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales pairs cinematic polish with practical accessibility features. From high-contrast UI and menu narration to simplified control schemes and audio cues, the game accommodates a wide range of player needs without calling attention to itself. Navigation and combat remain fluid and empowering, supported by options that make the experience more readable and responsive. It’s a reminder that accessibility goes beyond inputs, impacting how players perceive and engage with the entire game environment.
Grounded takes on an often-overlooked form of accessibility: emotional safety. Its arachnophobia mode lets players control how abstract those enemies become, transforming them into featureless blobs if needed. This flexible design choice opens the game up to players who might otherwise bounce off completely. For learning games that deal with sensitive content or intense themes, Grounded makes a strong case for customizable psychological comfort.
These exemplar games how accessibility can elevate a product’s reach, reputation, and retention. When you’re building learning experiences, designing for the edges often improves the center, too. Want to learn more about making educational games accessible? Check out our free accessibility resource kit or contact us!