As another year comes to a close, it’s time for the Can I Play That? Accessibility Awards 2021 where we highlight some of the achievements in the accessibility scene across the video games industry. This year we have a number of categories for you, the public, to vote on such as what game had the best representation of disabled characters, indie excellence, and our Susan Banks Advocacy Award that’s sponsored by Ubisoft.
Back in 2020, we saw a busy year with accessibility and for our Can I Play That? Accessibility Awards 2020, not only had games been released in an accessible state such as The Last of Us: Part 2, Watch Dogs Legion, Hyperdot, and more, but we also saw accessibility being widely discussed. That progression has continued into this year and so Can I Play That? is happy to announce that public voting is now available following the voting from our panel of judges.
To take part in the voting process for the Can I Play That? Accessibility Awards 2021, you’ll be able to vote on the official form here and make your choices for each category. The categories and nominees are as followed.
AAA excellence
Accessibility in a game made on big budget / by a big team
- Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (Square Enix)
- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games)
Indie excellence
Accessibility in a game made on a small budget / by a small team
- Chicory (Greg Lobanov)
- Unpacking (Witch Beam)
- The Vale: Shadow of the Crown (Falling Squirrel)
Best Deaf/HoH accessibility
Accessibility for gamers who are Deaf or hard of hearing
- Far Cry 6 (Ubisoft)
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (Square Enix)
- Back 4 Blood (Turtle Rock Studios)
Best physical/mobility accessibility
Accessibility for gamers with motor impairment
- Pokemon Unite (The Pokémon Company)
- Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
- FIFA 22 (Electronic Arts)
Best blind/low-vision accessibility
Accessibility for gamers with low/no vision
- Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (Insomniac Games)
- Forza Horizon 5 (Playground Games)
- The Vale: Shadow of the Crown (Falling Squirrel)
Best cognitive accessibility
Accessibility for neurodiversity and cognitive/learning disability
- Chicory (Greg Lobanov)
- Unpacking (Witch Beam)
- Life is Strange: True Colors (Square Enix)
Best representation
Representation of disabled characters
- Forza Horizon 5: Avatar prosthetic choices
- Halo Infinite: Avatar prosthetic choices, unique to each armor class and with multiple types per limb (via Warfighter Engaged collab)
- Far Cry 6: Chorizo
Best journalism
Article about game accessibility
- How Xbox Is Advancing Gaming Accessibility on Its Platforms, And, Hopefully, Throughout the Industry – Grant Stoner
- It’s Not Just Cyberpunk, Video Games Need to Take Epilepsy More Seriously – Patrik Klepek
- The Unwelcome State for Disabled Gamers of Color – Tubi Hamid
Most improved
Greatest progress through patches, mods, or remakes/remasters
- Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut (Sucker Punch Productions)
- Sea Of Thieves (Rare)
- Hearthstone blind accessibility mod (Guide Dev)
Best game accessibility event
Event about game accessibility
Most accessible gaming event
Gaming event inclusive of the widest audience
Favorite innovation in accessible tech
New or improved hardware
All games should implement this
Most innovative or helpful accessibility consideration, either a feature/option or default design
- Full captions from Marvel’s Guardian’s of the Galaxy
- Game Speed from Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
- Content warnings from Boyfriend Dungeon
Biggest accessibility surprise
Something impactful that you didn’t see coming
- Extensive Far Cry 6 accessibility information published 5 months before launch
- Upcoming BSL/ASL cutscenes in Forza Horizon 5
- Xbox introducing storefront accessibility tags
Most dedicated publisher
The publisher making the most significant or most consistent efforts
- Ubisoft
- Xbox Game Studios
- Square Enix
Most dedicated studio
The studio making the most significant or most consistent efforts
- Rare
- Insomniac Games
- Ubisoft Kyiv
MVP award for most dedicated developer
The individual developer making the most significant or most consistent efforts internally (this can include people working in accessibility roles)
- David Tisserand (Ubisoft)
- Améliane F. Chiasson (Square Enix)
- Tara Voelker (Xbox)
The Susan Banks Advocacy Award
Susan made a profound difference at a critical time for the industry. This award can be someone either in a development role or not – anyone who is an advocate making a difference across the wider industry
The Susan Banks Advocacy Award is sponsored by Ubisoft
- Morgan Baker
- Ian Hamilton
- Jerome Dupire
To vote on the awards, voting is taking place on this form.
