Turn 10 Studios, the developer behind Forza Motorsport, the next game in Microsoft’s racing franchise, has detailed some of the title’s accessibility features.
First and foremost, the studio hopes to make it easier for blind and low vision players to enjoy the racing simulator with the help of audio cues.
Turn 10 spent two years building assists for the blind at Forza Motorsport with the help of accessibility consultant Brandon Cole (who is blind) and other blind and low vision players.
The feature offers supplemental audio cues to help players navigate. They will receive audible information about things like the track’s position and orientation, and their approach and progress through corners. Players will also learn details about the car, including the level of deceleration required and when to shift gears if using a manual transmission.
In a video showcasing the feature and detailing its development, Cole notes that the direction guide option shifts engine noise and tire sounds to the left or right, depending on which direction players must turn. Beep sounds warn players when they are approaching the edge of the track. Cole says that with the help of the tracks, he was able to win a race against a bunch of AI-powered cars.
Blind and low vision players can view the audio cues in the accessibility menu. They’ll hear detailed descriptions of what each suggestion means, thanks to the inclusion of a customizable screen narrator. Players can individually turn each set of cues on and off, and will be able to adjust their pitch and volume. While it will likely take players a while to get used to the tips, they can be immensely helpful for people who are blind and have low vision who want to play Forza Motorsport.
Alongside more common accessibility features like full controller remapping, colorblindness filters, and customizable subtitles, there’s another one called One Touch Driving. This allows players to customize braking, steering, and acceleration assists to minimize the number of simultaneous inputs required. They can enable as many assists as they want. Turn 10 worked with players with mobility and stamina impairments to create One Touch Driving, aimed at people who may find it difficult to hold down buttons or press multiple buttons at once.
Forza Motorsport is scheduled to arrive later this year. It will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam.
