Browser games, video games or playing on the console: The virtual world is part of everyday life for many people. And the gamers themselves are as diverse as the games themselves. Taking part in a multiplayer game without hands or playing a VR competition despite visual limitations? People with physical or mental disabilities also want to enjoy themselves in the world of gaming. To this end, Microsoft, among others, has launched a number of gadgets and tools on the market that make it easier for people with disabilities to access e-sports - or make it possible in the first place.

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E-sports now has almost as many fans as some traditional sports. It is estimated that currently around 550 million consumers worldwide participate in e-sports at least occasionally – with a rising trend. But it is not only participants and spectators who have jumped on the bandwagon of e-sports. More and more reputable betting providers are now incorporating e-sports into their repertoire or expanding their offerings accordingly. Thus, it is no surprise that since 2011, e-sports have even been included in the Paralympic program.

Despite the great popularity of e-sports, there has long been one group in society that has been ignored or simply marginalized: People with disabilities. But regardless of whether they have perceptual disorders, speech deficits, cognitive or sensory limitations, new inventions from Microsoft are now making it possible to participate in the world of electronic gaming. Gadgets and practical computer accessories can overcome users' previous barriers. After all, e-sports should be accessible to everyone. After all, the game is about tactical thinking and skill, not personal limitations.

How Microsoft is mastering inclusion in e-sports

At Gamescom, the world's largest trade fair for interactive games, inclusive gaming is a theme every year. The gaming industry offers additional settings in the software to overcome barriers. But there are also great accessories for the hardware. Thanks to Microsoft's products, e-sports competitions are accessible to all players.

The company launched an adaptive controller, the "Xbox Adaptive Controller", back in September 2018. This basic device serves as an assistive tool. The aim is not only to make the gaming world more accessible, but above all to enable the addition of other extra devices. Microsoft also offers the Micro Light Switch or AbleNet Specs Switch. These switches also provide haptic and audible feedback.

1. hardware: Xbox Adaptive Controller

The new Xbox Adaptive Controller provides a solution for players with limited mobility and enables entry into the gaming world on computers running the Windows 10 operating system and the Xbox One console.

The controller is available from the Microsoft Store for 89.99 euros. It features the traditional controls, a joystick, and 19 AUX outputs to connect various additional devices to the controller. Additionally, two large buttons have been built in. Each player can customize these via the app to make them function like the buttons on a standard controller.

Releasing hardware for gamers with disabilities goes hand in hand with high standards. That's why the Xbox Adaptive Controller is constantly being developed in close cooperation with organizations and gamers who are themselves affected or regularly confronted with the needs of people with disabilities. The purpose is to provide an affordable control tool that can be dynamically integrated into any setup. Microsoft continues to work on new devices that can be used for both consoles and PCs and open up the digital world of e-sports to as many people as possible.

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2. customized software

The best controller doesn't help much if the game itself creates obstacles. This is why some software manufacturers allow small changes to be made to their program. This takes the strain off gaming newcomers and people who can't react as quickly.

The first step is to optimize the system settings. Color and contrast settings, subtitles or speed adjustments make it easier to keep up with the computer game. People with hearing impairments, for example, can follow the story with additional subtitles. The buttons on the controller can be programmed so that players can set the level of difficulty individually. Some game manufacturers offer the option of selecting a zoom. And for the Xbox, there is even the so-called co-pilot function. This allows two players to share the controls.

Why the inclusion of people with disabilities is important

Gaming helps many people - regardless of their disability - to take a short break from everyday life. For people with limited mobility in particular, however, it means being able to enjoy freedom. This includes, for example, moving around, controlling a car or plane and playing sports such as boxing or soccer. The gaming world opens up everyday pleasures for them, even if these only take place in the virtual world.

Maxi Gräff, Communications Manager at Microsoft in the Xbox and Gaming division, also feels that this is the right way to go:

"There are 7.5 billion people in the world, four billion of whom have internet access, and two billion gamers within the next three years - including many gamers with physical disabilities. Video games are an important part of society and at Microsoft we believe in inclusion in all areas."

For people with disabilities in particular, gaming is more than just a leisure activity or entertainment. The fact that players with disabilities have long been able to demonstrate their own refined and methodical skills in e-sports has brought the standardization of inclusion and accessibility in gaming a long way forward. The computer and video games industry can also benefit from this and tap into this new target group.

• Tip: Questionnaires that help manufacturers to make their games more accessible are available online on many sites.

Conclusion: the retrospective test

In recent years, since the controller was introduced to the market, it has been tested by many people with all kinds of disabilities. Until the control device is suitable for use by people with severe disabilities, they will have to painstakingly program it to meet their individual needs. Accordingly, their assessment of the device is as follows: For almost 99 percent of people with disabilities, the adaptive device is not suitable. “The controller offers new possibilities, but are still quite limited,” finds one of the respondents. That the device can be adjusted to personal needs is definitely a small success for those involved.

Barrier-free gaming has been an issue in the industry for some time now. Nevertheless, game developers still have a lot of work to do to make the virtual world of e-sports accessible to all people. In addition to the hardware that Microsoft has developed, even small adjustments or updates to both consoles and controllers, as well as to the games’ software, can help bring inclusion closer.