2. The Attainable Game Experience Framework

Over the past several decades, video games have captured an ever-growing share of public interest, experiencing exponential growth as a form of entertainment. With the burgeoning numbers of gamers globally, the industry has increasingly turned its focus toward improving accessibility and inclusivity. Yet, even as video games capture the imagination of billions, a considerable portion of the populace faces obstacles that prevent full engagement with this medium. These challenges arise from a complex web of factors—ranging from personal circumstances to physical and cognitive conditions. There is, therefore, a pressing need to confront and mitigate these barriers, aiming to make video games universally accessible and inclusive. In Chap. 2, we will conduct a comprehensive design analysis and introduce the Attainable Game Experience Framework—a resource designed to significantly influence your game creation process. Within this framework, we will spotlight four foundational design heuristics and examine their applicability across diverse gaming scenarios. Additionally, we will outline strategies for crafting universally designed video games that can accommodate a wide-ranging audience. Our discussion will be situated within the broader context of the video game design landscape. The primary objective of this chapter is to equip you with critical insights and guidelines that will facilitate your navigation through the complexities of accessibility and inclusivity. Armed with this knowledge, you will be better positioned to develop high-quality video games that resonate with a more extensive and diverse audience.