The Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, is about to make landfall after months of speculation, and fans are eagerly waiting for the rest of the narrative to unfold. Over 20 million people have played the game, giving it the love it deserves. But why should they have all the fun? There could be more who may want to traverse the Lands Between.
Adding more accessibility to the game could do wonders as it will allow the company to access the untapped user base, specifically users with disabilities. In a nutshell, gaming accessibility is an effort to make games accessible to people with different types of disabilities, be it through hardware or software.
More Accessibility Options in Elden Ring is a Valid Discussion
Hidetaka Miyazaki, Elden Ring director, has been criticized for inadequate accessibility options in his games. Although there will be no change in the upcoming DLC, in a recent interview he said,
I think that accessibility is important. I think that can be the driving force between bringing an old game to a new platform, whether a bloodborne remake eventually sees the light of day regardless of whether it may arrive on either PS5 or PS6.
Moreover, he is open to new possibilities in future games, Miyazaki says:
This is not something I’m opposed to in the slightest. And so we’re going to continue to look into it and see how we can do those features in our future titles.
Previously in another interview published on the PlayStation blog, he said they have tried to be mindful regarding accessibility in games, calling it a “valid discussion.” The game’s difficulty is pivotal to this debate, which they don’t try to “make things hard” for players.
It Never Hurts to Bring New Users Aboard
Many video games have tried to add more accessibility options to allow players with different disabilities to experience the gameplay.
The Last of Us Part 2 is hailed as one of the most accessible video games of all time. The developers have ensured it is accessible to as many users as possible, and all in all, there are 60 accessibility options.
For shooter enthusiasts, Gears5 added colorblind modes so players can differentiate between friends and foes easily. Some virtual reality games have also tried to make games accessible with Moss being the best attempt among them.
Shadow of The Erdtree will be coming in June, 2024 where players will get to see the Land of Shadows. Hopefully, Hidetaki Miyazaki will do something about making it accessible, so more players can experience the new land.
Do you think more accessibility options should be in Elden Ring and would Shadow of the Erdtree be a good time to include these features? Let us know in the comments.
