Urgent Need for Standardized Accessibility in All Video Games

• Excitement and disappointment with 'Lords of the Fallen' due to accessibility issues
• Living with keratoconus, a rare eye condition causing blurred and distorted vision
• Challenges of gaming with keratoconus, including the need for special lenses and adjustments to game settings
• Difficulties faced when games lack proper accessibility settings
• Need for greater accessibility in gaming to ensure inclusivity

An Adventure with 'Lords of the Fallen'

As an avid fan of Soulslike RPGs, I was thrilled to set off on a new journey with 'Lords of the Fallen' when it released in mid-October. My excitement led me straight to the settings menu, the first stop in any gaming adventure, to ensure I could fully immerse myself in the experience.

However, my expectations were met with disappointment. Despite my efforts to adjust the minimal accessibility options, I found myself struggling to read the text, let alone navigate through the complex environments. This was particularly frustrating as I had been enjoying the thrill of battling the game's horrifying enemies, but my deteriorating vision forced me to put 'Lords of the Fallen' aside.

Living with Keratoconus

For those unfamiliar, I live with a condition called keratoconus. This disease causes the cornea, the clear window of the eye, to bulge and thin into a cone-like shape. The result is blurry and distorted vision, and if left untreated, near-total blindness. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it's a rare condition affecting about one in every 2,000 people. There are no known causes and no definitive cures, only surgical options with varying degrees of risk and success.

My diagnosis came as a teenager, despite having perfect vision growing up. One day, I woke up with blurred vision, as if a layer of Vaseline had been smeared over my eyes. After a period of confusion and distress, a professional finally provided a diagnosis: keratoconus. The news was devastating, a life-changing revelation that brought tears and a harsh new reality.

Challenges of Gaming with Keratoconus

The progression of my disease meant I had to schedule an eye surgery. Unfortunately, the procedure had to be postponed due to inflammation caused by excessive contact wear and technology use. The contacts I wear, known as scleral lenses, are designed for my misshapen eyes but come with a hefty price tag. It's a necessary expense for me to function independently, but it's a reminder of the challenges I face daily.

During my recovery, I was reminded of how my deteriorating eyesight has impacted my passion for gaming. Activities I once loved and turned into a profession now feel like impossible tasks. Games require adjustments to brightness and contrast, and text size needs to be maximized for readability, even if it results in formatting issues.

Accessibility in Gaming

When a game lacks accessibility settings or hides them, I find myself avoiding it despite my initial excitement. This was the case with 'Lords of the Fallen' and 'Tears of the Ki'. The struggle of choosing between Performance or Quality modes, which prioritize frame rate or visual fidelity, respectively, is like being caught between a rock and a hard place. It's a reminder of the greater need for accessibility in gaming, to ensure everyone can enjoy the immersive worlds and thrilling adventures they offer.

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