Game Accessibility in 2025: Why the Industry Is Pulling Back
Is game accessibility declining in 2025? Unfortunately, yes—and the shift is deeply impacting players with disabilities. Despite years of progress, the gaming industry is now reversing many of its inclusive design commitments. Industry-wide layoffs, economic constraints, and shifting development priorities have caused accessibility roles to be among the first cut. While the early 2020s saw a surge in accessible game design—thanks to titles like The Last of Us Part II—2025 marks a troubling slowdown.
Over the past few years, video game accessibility went from niche to mainstream. Major studios hired consultants, invested in user-centered design, and proudly marketed accessibility features. For players who rely on custom controller settings, screen readers, subtitles, or visual cues, this era was transformative. However, accessibility consultants like Laura Kate Dale now report stalled progress and repeated conversations just to preserve existing features—let alone push innovation forward.
This regression isn’t just a technical issue; it’s a cultural one. Broadcasters like Kaemsi highlight how 2020’s emphasis on inclusive experiences created hope that post-pandemic design would continue to consider all types of players. Instead, many studios reverted to pre-pandemic priorities. Following hits like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, companies grew rapidly—only to scale back once profits plateaued. Cost-cutting measures have disproportionately impacted roles focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion—especially game accessibility.
Yet the industry’s pullback sends the opposite message: that accessibility is optional, not essential. This misstep could alienate millions of players while undermining long-term profitability and brand trust.
There is still hope. Games that prioritize accessibility not only earn critical acclaim but also attract a broader, loyal player base. In 2025, developers looking to future-proof their titles should prioritize inclusive design—not just for moral reasons but for stronger ROI. Accessibility is not a luxury—it’s a necessity, and when done right, it boosts engagement, ad revenue, and user satisfaction.
