Claude-Code-Game-Studios/.claude/docs/templates/accessibility-requirements.md

Accessibility Requirements: [Game Title]

Authoring guidance: .claude/docs/templates/guidance/accessibility-requirements-guide.md (load per-section as you author — do not read entirely).

Status: Draft | Committed | Audited | Certified Author: [ux-designer / producer] Last Updated: [Date] Accessibility Tier Target: [Basic / Standard / Comprehensive / Exemplary] Platform(s): [PC / Xbox / PlayStation 5 / Nintendo Switch / iOS / Android] External Standards Targeted:

• WCAG 2.1 Level [A / AA / AAA]
• AbleGamers CVAA Guidelines
• Xbox Accessibility Guidelines (XAG) [Yes / No / Partial]
• PlayStation Accessibility (Sony Guidelines) [Yes / No / Partial]
• Apple / Google Accessibility Guidelines [Yes / No / N/A — mobile only] Accessibility Consultant: [Name and organization, or "None engaged"] Linked Documents: design/gdd/systems-index.md, docs/ux/interaction-pattern-library.md

Why this document exists: Per-screen accessibility annotations belong in UX specs. This document captures the project-wide accessibility commitments, the feature matrix across all systems, the test plan, and the audit history. It is created once during Technical Setup by the UX designer and producer, then updated as features are added and audits are completed. If a feature conflicts with a commitment made here, this document wins — change the feature, not the commitment, unless the producer approves a formal revision.

When to update: After each /gate-check pass, after any accessibility audit, and whenever a new game system is added to systems-index.md.

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Accessibility Tier Definition

Tier Definitions

Tier	Core Commitment	Typical Effort
Basic	Critical player-facing text is readable at standard resolution. No feature requires color discrimination alone. Volume controls exist for music, SFX, and voice independently. The game is completable without photosensitivity risk.	Low — primarily design constraints
Standard	All of Basic, plus: full input remapping on all platforms, subtitle support with speaker identification, adjustable text size, at least one colorblind mode, and no timed input that cannot be extended or toggled.	Medium — requires dedicated implementation work
Comprehensive	All of Standard, plus: screen reader support for menus, mono audio option, difficulty assist modes, HUD element repositioning, reduced motion mode, and visual indicators for all gameplay-critical audio.	High — requires platform API integration and significant UI architecture
Exemplary	All of Comprehensive, plus: full subtitle customization (font, size, color, background, position), high contrast mode, cognitive load assist tools, tactile/haptic alternatives for all audio-only cues, and external third-party accessibility audit.	Very High — requires dedicated accessibility budget and specialist consultation

This Project's Commitment

Target Tier: [Basic / Standard / Comprehensive / Exemplary]

Rationale: [3-5 sentences justifying the tier choice — genre barriers, target audience, platform requirements, team capacity, cost of dropping a tier. See guide for the reasoning checklist and a worked example.]

Features explicitly in scope (beyond tier baseline):

• [Feature elevated above the tier baseline + why]

Features explicitly out of scope:

• [Feature excluded + why — must also appear in Known Intentional Limitations]

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Visual Accessibility

Feature	Target Tier	Scope	Status	Implementation Notes
Minimum text size — menu UI	Standard	All menu screens	Not Started	24px minimum at 1080p. At 4K, scale proportionally. Reference: WCAG 2.1 SC 1.4.4 requires text resizable to 200% without loss of content.
Minimum text size — subtitles	Standard	All voiced/captioned content	Not Started	32px minimum at 1080p. Players viewing on TV at 3m are the constraint.
Minimum text size — HUD	Standard	In-game HUD	Not Started	20px minimum for critical information (health, ammo, objective). Non-critical HUD elements may be smaller.
Text contrast — UI text on backgrounds	Standard	All UI text	Not Started	Minimum 4.5:1 ratio for body text (WCAG AA). 3:1 for large text (18px+ or 14px bold). Test with automated contrast checker on final color values.
Text contrast — subtitles	Standard	Subtitle display	Not Started	Minimum 7:1 ratio (WCAG AAA) for subtitles — players read them quickly and cannot control background. Use drop shadow or opaque background box by default.
Colorblind mode — Protanopia	Standard	All color-coded gameplay	Not Started	Red-green — affects ~6% of men. Primary concern: health bars, enemy indicators, map markers. Shift red signals to orange/yellow; shift green signals to teal.
Colorblind mode — Deuteranopia	Standard	All color-coded gameplay	Not Started	Green-red — affects ~1% of men. Similar to Protanopia in practical impact. Often the same palette adjustment covers both. Verify with Coblis or Colour Blindness Simulator.
Colorblind mode — Tritanopia	Standard	All color-coded gameplay	Not Started	Blue-yellow — rarer (~0.001%). Shift blue UI elements to purple; shift yellow to orange.
Color-as-only-indicator audit	Basic	All UI and gameplay	Not Started	List every place color is the SOLE differentiator in the table below. Each must have a non-color backup (icon, shape, pattern, text label) before shipping.
UI scaling	Standard	All UI elements	Not Started	Range: 75% to 150%. Default: 100%. Scaling must not break layout — test all screens at min and max. HUD scaling should be independent from menu scaling.
High contrast mode	Comprehensive	Menus (minimum); HUD (preferred)	Not Started	Replace all semi-transparent backgrounds with fully opaque. Replace mid-tone UI colors with black/white/system-high-contrast colors. All interactive elements outlined.
Brightness/gamma controls	Basic	Global	Not Started	Exposed in graphics settings. Include a reference calibration image (a gradient or symbol barely visible at correct calibration). Range: -50% to +50% from default.
Screen flash / strobe warning	Basic	All cutscenes, VFX	Not Started	(1) Pre-launch warning screen with photosensitivity seizure notice. (2) Audit all flash-heavy VFX against Harding FPA standard (no more than 3 flashes per second above luminance threshold). (3) Optional: flash reduction mode that lowers flash amplitude by 80%.
Motion/animation reduction mode	Standard	All UI transitions, camera shake, VFX	Not Started	Reduce or eliminate: screen shake, camera bob, motion blur, parallax scrolling in menus, looping background animations. Cannot fully eliminate: player movement animation (would break readability). Toggle in accessibility settings.
Subtitles — on/off	Basic	All voiced content	Not Started	Default: OFF (industry standard — many players prefer immersion). Prominently offered at first launch.
Subtitles — speaker identification	Standard	All voiced content	Not Started	Speaker name displayed before dialogue line. Color-coded by speaker IF colors differ by more than hue alone (test for colorblind compatibility).
Subtitles — style customization	Comprehensive	Subtitle display	Not Started	Font size (4 sizes minimum), background opacity (0–100%), text color (white / yellow / custom), position (bottom / top / player-relative).
Subtitles — sound effect captions	Comprehensive	Gameplay-critical SFX	Not Started	See Auditory Accessibility section for which SFX qualify. Format: [SOUND DESCRIPTION] in brackets, distinct from dialogue.

Color-as-Only-Indicator Audit

Fill in every gameplay or UI element where color is currently the sole differentiator. Resolve each before shipping. A resolved entry has a non-color backup that works in all three colorblind modes above. See guide for example rows.

Location	Color Signal	What It Communicates	Non-Color Backup	Status
[Add row for each color-coded element]

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Motor Accessibility

Feature	Target Tier	Scope	Status	Implementation Notes
Full input remapping	Standard	All gameplay inputs, all platforms	Not Started	Every input bound by default must be rebindable. Remapping applies to keyboard, mouse, controller, and any supported peripheral independently. No two actions may be bound to the same input simultaneously (warn on conflict). Persist remapping to player profile.
Input method switching	Standard	PC	Not Started	Player must be able to switch between keyboard/mouse and gamepad at any moment without restarting. UI must update prompts dynamically (show correct button icons for active input method).
One-hand mode	[Tier]	[Identify which features require two simultaneous hands]	Not Started	Audit every multi-input action. For each: can it be executed with a single hand? If not, provide a toggle alternative or hold-to-toggle version. Specify here which features have a one-hand path and which do not.
Hold-to-press alternatives	Standard	All hold inputs	Not Started	Every "hold [button] to [action]" must offer a toggle alternative. Toggle mode: first press activates, second press deactivates. Example: "Hold to sprint" becomes optional "toggle sprint" mode. List all hold inputs in the game here.
Rapid input alternatives	Standard	Any button mashing / rapid input sequences	Not Started	Any input requiring more than 3 presses per second sustained must offer a single-press toggle alternative. Example: Hades' "Hold to dash repeatedly" solves this elegantly.
Input timing adjustments	Standard	QTEs, timed button presses, rhythm inputs	Not Started	Provide a timing window multiplier in accessibility settings. Minimum range: 0.5x to 3.0x. Default: 1.0x. At 3.0x, a 500ms window becomes 1500ms. Document every timed input in this game and test at all multiplier values.
Aim assist	Standard	All ranged combat / targeting	Not Started	Not just on/off — provide granularity: Assist Strength (0–100%), Assist Radius, Aim Magnetism (snap-to-target), and Aim Slowdown (near-target deceleration) as separate sliders. Default values should be tuned to feel helpful, not intrusive.
Auto-sprint / movement assists	Standard	Movement systems	Not Started	"Hold to sprint" toggle (covered above). Additionally: auto-run option (hold direction, player continues without input). Specify any movement input that is held continuously in normal gameplay.
Platforming / traversal assists	[Tier]	[If game has platforming]	Not Started	Evaluate whether auto-grab (generous ledge detection), coyote time extension, and jump height adjustment are appropriate for this game's design. If platforming is not a game system, mark N/A.
HUD element repositioning	Comprehensive	All HUD elements	Not Started	Allow players to move health bars, minimaps, and quest trackers to their preferred screen position. Particularly important for players using head-tracking or eye-gaze hardware who may have reduced peripheral vision coverage.

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Cognitive Accessibility

Feature	Target Tier	Scope	Status	Implementation Notes
Difficulty options	Standard	All gameplay difficulty parameters	Not Started	Separate granular sliders where possible (damage dealt, damage received, enemy aggression, enemy speed) rather than a single Easy/Normal/Hard label. Document which parameters are adjustable and which are fixed. Fixed parameters require a design justification.
Pause anywhere	Basic	All gameplay states	Not Started	Players must be able to pause during any gameplay state, including cutscenes, dialogue, and tutorial sequences. Document any state where pausing is currently prevented and the design justification for that restriction. Any restriction is a risk.
Tutorial persistence	Standard	All tutorials and help text	Not Started	After dismissing a tutorial prompt, the player must be able to retrieve it from a Help section in the menu. Do not rely on players absorbing tutorials on first encounter — AbleGamers research shows many players dismiss prompts on reflex.
Quest / objective clarity	Standard	Quest and objective systems	Not Started	The current active objective must be accessible within 2 button presses at all times during gameplay. Display the full objective text on demand, not just a truncated marker. Avoid objectives that require inference ("investigate the northern region" — where exactly?).
Visual indicators for audio-only information	Standard	All SFX that carry gameplay information	Not Started	Audit every sound effect that communicates gameplay-critical state. For each: is there a visual equivalent? Directional audio (off-screen enemy) needs a screen-edge indicator. Critical warnings (boss phase transition, trap trigger) need visual cues. See Auditory Accessibility for full list.
Reading time for UI	Standard	All auto-dismissing dialogs	Not Started	No dialog, notification, or tooltip that contains actionable information may auto-dismiss in less than 5 seconds. Preferred: do not auto-dismiss at all — require player confirmation. Document every auto-dismissing element here and its current duration.
Cognitive load documentation	Comprehensive	Per game system	Not Started	For each system in systems-index.md, document the maximum number of things it asks the player to simultaneously track. Flag any system where the number exceeds 4. This is not a hard rule but a review trigger — high cognitive load systems need compensating UI clarity. See Per-Feature Accessibility Matrix below.
Navigation assists	Standard	World navigation	Not Started	Fast travel (to previously visited locations), waypoint system for current objective, optional objective indicator always visible. Document which of these apply to this game's design and which are intentionally omitted.

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Auditory Accessibility

Feature	Target Tier	Scope	Status	Implementation Notes
Subtitles for all spoken dialogue	Basic	All voiced content	Not Started	100% coverage — no exceptions. Include narration, in-engine dialogue, radio/environmental dialogue heard from a distance. Test subtitle sync against voice acting timing.
Closed captions for gameplay-critical SFX	Comprehensive	Identified SFX list (below)	Not Started	Not all SFX need captions — only those that communicate state the player cannot infer visually. See the SFX audit table below.
Mono audio option	Comprehensive	Global audio output	Not Started	Folds stereo/spatial audio to mono. Preserves volume balance between channels rather than summing to full volume on both sides. Essential for players with single-sided deafness.
Independent volume controls	Basic	Music / SFX / Voice / UI audio buses	Not Started	Four independent sliders minimum. Persist to player profile. Range: 0–100%, default 80%. Expose in both main settings and the pause menu.
Visual representations for directional audio	Comprehensive	All off-screen threats and audio events	Not Started	Screen-edge indicator pointing toward the audio source. Opacity scales with audio volume (closer = more opaque). Two variants: threat indicators (red) and information indicators (neutral). Example: The Last of Us Part II uses screen-edge indicators for off-screen enemy positions.
Hearing aid compatibility mode	Standard	High-frequency audio cues	Not Started	Audit all audio cues for frequency range. Any cue that communicates critical information only through high-frequency sound (above 4kHz) must have a low-frequency or visual equivalent. Hearing aids often filter high frequencies.

Gameplay-Critical SFX Audit

Identify every sound effect that communicates state the player needs to act on. Each entry in this table requires either a confirmed visual backup or a caption. See guide for example rows.

Sound Effect	What It Communicates	Visual Backup	Caption Required	Status
[Add each SFX that changes what the player should do]

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Platform Accessibility API Integration

Platform	API / Standard	Features Planned	Status	Notes
Xbox (GDK)	Xbox Game Core Accessibility / XAG	[Input remapping via Xbox Ease of Access, high contrast support, narrator integration for menus]	Not Started	XAG compliance is required for ID@Xbox Game Pass consideration. Review XAG checklist at https://docs.microsoft.com/gaming/accessibility/guidelines
PlayStation 5	Sony Accessibility Guidelines / AccessibilityNode API	[Screen reader passthrough for menus, mono audio, high contrast]	Not Started	PS5 natively supports system-level audio description and mono audio if the game exposes AccessibilityNode data on UI elements.
Steam (PC)	Steam Accessibility Features / SDL	[Controller input remapping via Steam Input, subtitle support]	Not Started	Steam Input allows system-level remapping independent of in-game remapping. In-game remapping still required for keyboard/mouse.
iOS	UIAccessibility / VoiceOver	[VoiceOver support for menus if mobile port planned]	N/A	Only required if mobile release is in scope.
Android	AccessibilityService / TalkBack	[TalkBack support for menus if mobile port planned]	N/A	Only required if mobile release is in scope.
PC (Screen Reader)	JAWS / NVDA / Windows Narrator	[Menu navigation announcements]	Not Started	Requires UI elements to expose accessible names and roles via platform UI layer. Godot 4.5+ AccessKit integration covers this for supported control types. Verify against engine-reference/godot/ docs.

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Per-Feature Accessibility Matrix

When a new system is added to systems-index.md, a row must be added here. If a system has an unaddressed accessibility concern, it cannot be marked Approved in the systems index. See guide for example rows.

System	Visual Concerns	Motor Concerns	Cognitive Concerns	Auditory Concerns	Addressed	Notes
[Add system from systems-index.md]

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Accessibility Test Plan

Feature	Test Method	Test Cases	Pass Criteria	Responsible	Status
Text contrast ratios	Automated — contrast analyzer tool on all UI screenshots	All text/background combinations at all game states	All body text ≥ 4.5:1; all large text ≥ 3:1; subtitle backgrounds ≥ 7:1	ux-designer	Not Started
Colorblind modes	Manual — Coblis simulator on all game screenshots with modes enabled	Gameplay screenshots in exploration, combat, inventory in each mode	No essential information is lost in any mode; player can complete all objectives without color discrimination	ux-designer	Not Started
Input remapping	Manual — remap all inputs to non-default bindings, complete tutorial and first level	All default inputs rebound; gameplay functions correctly; no binding conflict possible	All actions accessible after remapping; conflict prevention works; bindings persist across restart	qa-tester	Not Started
Subtitle accuracy	Manual — verify against voice script, check all lines	All voiced content; subtitle timing; speaker identification	100% of voiced lines subtitled; speaker identified for all multi-character scenes; no subtitle display for more than 3 seconds after line ends	qa-tester	Not Started
Hold input toggles	Manual — enable all toggle alternatives, complete all combat and traversal sequences	All hold inputs in toggle mode	All hold actions completable in toggle mode; no gameplay state requires sustained hold when toggle is enabled	qa-tester	Not Started
Reduced motion mode	Manual — enable mode, navigate all menus and complete first hour of gameplay	All menu transitions; all HUD animations; all camera shake events	No looping animations in menus; no camera shake above threshold; all screen transitions are cross-fade or cut	ux-designer	Not Started
Platform screen reader (menu)	Manual — enable OS screen reader, navigate all menus	Main menu, settings, pause menu, inventory, map	All interactive menu elements have screen reader announcements; navigation order is logical; no element unreachable by keyboard/D-pad	ux-designer	Not Started
User testing — colorblind	User testing with colorblind participants	Full game session with each colorblind mode	Participants complete all content without requesting color clarification; no session-stopping confusion	producer	Not Started
User testing — motor impairment	User testing with participants using one hand or adaptive controllers	Full game session with toggle and extended timing modes enabled	Participants complete all MVP content within tolerance of able-bodied completion time	producer	Not Started

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Known Intentional Limitations

Every entry here is a risk — assess it honestly. See guide for example rows.

Feature	Tier Required	Why Not Included	Risk / Impact	Mitigation
[Add any intentionally excluded accessibility feature]

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Audit History

See guide for example rows.

Date	Auditor	Type	Scope	Findings Summary	Status
[Add row for each audit]

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External Resources

Resource	URL	Relevance
WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)	https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/	Foundational accessibility standard — contrast ratios, text sizing, input requirements
Game Accessibility Guidelines	https://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com	Comprehensive game-specific checklist organized by category and cost
AbleGamers Player Panel	https://ablegamers.org/player-panel/	User testing service and consulting with disabled gamers
Xbox Accessibility Guidelines (XAG)	https://docs.microsoft.com/gaming/accessibility/guidelines	Required reading for Xbox certification; well-structured feature checklist
PlayStation Accessibility Guidelines	https://www.playstation.com/en-us/accessibility/	Sony platform requirements; also contains well-written design guidance
Colour Blindness Simulator (Coblis)	https://www.color-blindness.com/coblis-color-blindness-simulator/	Free tool for simulating colorblind modes on screenshots
Accessible Games Database	https://accessible.games	Research and examples of accessible game design decisions
CVAA (21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act)	https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/21st-century-communications-and-video-accessibility-act-cvaa	US legal requirement for games with communication features (voice chat, messaging)

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Open Questions

Question	Owner	Deadline	Resolution
[Add question]	[Owner]	[Deadline]	[Resolution]