Blizzard Entertainment has revealed a comprehensive range of accessibility improvements for Diablo IV, set to launch on June 6th. These developments are a result of Blizzard’s commitment to ensuring every player can fully engage with the game, regardless of physical capability.
“Dexterity Assistance” is a significant part of this update. Button remapping will allow players to tailor controls to suit their personal needs and abilities, making gameplay more comfortable. The introduction of “Skill Toggle” and “Action Wheel Activation” will further alleviate gameplay difficulties by transforming the need to hold a button into a toggle. Additionally, the “Swap Left and Right Sticks” feature permits players to control their most vital inputs with only one hand. “Persist Target Lock” is another new feature that will help players maintain focus on their targets during complex battles.
Accessibility extends to text, too, with the “Text Assistance” features. These include customizable cinematic subtitles and a new “Speech to Text” system. This system, utilizing the player’s device’s microphone, will transcribe spoken words into the in-game chat. Blizzard hopes this will enable more players to engage in team strategies and cooperative play.
For players with visual impairments, the update includes new “Vision Assistance” features. These include adjustable text and cursor sizes, “In-Game Gear Audio Cues” that signal dropped loot, and personalized color highlighting for players, enemies, and objects. Additionally, Diablo IV now includes built-in screen reader support for third-party software such as JAWS and NVDA. This feature can read aloud text located in in-game menus, helping players with reduced vision to fully immerse themselves in the game world.
These changes have transformed Diablo IV into a game that hosts over 50 individual accessibility features, aiming to empower all players.
Prepare to reclaim Sanctuary from hellish horrors when Diablo IV launches on June 6th.