Microsoft and Xbox continue to pave the way for inclusion and availability in games. Now the parties have struck a blow for the deaf and others with hearing problems, by introducing sign language to Forza Horizon 5.
Forza Horizon 5.
Xbox Game Studios
In a blog post on Xbox web pages Game Manager Mike Brown recently unveiled a series of accessibility measures that are either already included or are on their way to Forza Horizon 5. Among those coming is translation of movie sequences into the ASL and BSL sign languages - American and British sign languages, respectively.
The video at the top of the article (around 4 minutes and 19 seconds in) shows how the scheme should work. During the movie sequences, an interpreter appears at the bottom right of the screen, which translates what is being said.
While the car game already includes a number of subtitle options, it is worth pointing out that sign language does not follow the same rules as a written language. This can make it difficult to follow the subtitles, something developer Playground found out during the development phase.
In an interview with the site Can I Play That Tara Voelker, Head of Accessibility at Xbox Game Studios, explains how the idea came about.
– For some sign language users, English is their second language. After we found out, several of our team members realized that using a different language all the time to play games was probably tiring. They wanted to offer a better experience, and since Xbox broadcasts already had sign language translations, they wondered if we could do that too and if it could work in a game.
Otherwise, Forza Horizon 5 boasts a number of options designed to enhance the experience for people with various disabilities. Among other things, you can change the game’s speed, change colors, adjust text size and read aloud both the game menu and other elements in the game.
We had a great time with Forza Horizon 5.
Read the review of the great car game »
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