Mattel has announced a significant initiative to make 80 percent of its gaming portfolio, including iconic titles like Uno, accessible to individuals with color vision deficiency by the end of the year. The ambitious goal is to reach 90 percent by the end of 2025.
For Uno and its many variants, the company will introduce simple symbols to distinguish the four colors used in the game: a circle for red, a square for blue, a triangle for green, and a star for yellow. These symbols will be added to each card, ensuring players with color vision deficiency can easily identify the colors.
In Blokus, each color will now be distinguished by a unique three-dimensional pattern added to the plastic tiles. For games like Tumblin’ Monkeys and KerPlunk, the colors of the sticks that players must remove will be identified with additional 3D details.
The mobile app versions of its popular card games, including Uno! Mobile, Phase 10 Mobile, and Skip-Bo Mobile, will also be updated to incorporate colorblind identification symbols.
Inclusive Colorblind-Accessible Games
Mattel is Adding Colorblind Identification Symbols
Trend Themes
1. Colorblind-friendly Game Design - Introducing colorblind-friendly symbols and patterns in traditional and digital games for broader inclusivity.
2. Accessible Gaming Initiatives - Companies implementing comprehensive accessibility features to ensure games are playable by individuals with color vision deficiencies.
3. Adaptive Inclusive Design - Developing innovative adaptive designs that cater to individuals with varying visual impairments within gaming environments.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Industry - Enhancing inclusivity in traditional toys and board games to accommodate players with color vision deficiencies.
2. Digital Gaming - Incorporating accessibility features in mobile and video games to make them more inclusive for colorblind users.
3. Assistive Technology - Creating assistive solutions within games to help colorblind players easily distinguish between different game elements.