[games_access] Accessibility Requirements Ubisoft/Microsoft?

[Ian Hamilton]

I know a little bit about it, they've ticked the box incorrectly, there are strict rules about what it can be used for:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-GB/library/windows/apps/hh700322.aspx
I'd be astounded if Pirates complies with that, i.e. meets their minimum requirements of being fully compatible with screenreaders (through building using native UI elements rather than an engine), magnifiers and onscreen keyboards, has keyboard friendly logical tab sequences for all UI and gameplay, variable DPI, etc.
The accessibility flag on the windows store is pretty much a waste of space at the moment, developers incorrectly tick it all the time. I've heard from a few pretty annoyed blind users about how unreliable it is. 
The problem comes from defining 'accessible' as a single quantifiable thing. That MS have thought about including accessibility information is a big step in the right direction, but a single checkbox for 'accessible' doesn't really help, accessible to who? A checkbox like that is no use unless 1. users know exactly what the developer requirements are and 2. developers genuinely meet them.
Instead, I think that the Windows app store (and anything similar, eg. Google Play, iTunes, XBox/PS4 storesetc) would be better off using a combination of things:
1. IndieCity's approach of giving developers a selection of common individual accessibility features as tickboxes (http://s13.postimg.org/fq08nwe2f/indiecity.jpg)2. Steam's approach for caption presence, allowing gamers to filter games based on it (http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category2=13) and so find games suited to their own personal needs and preferences3. Then also an extra free text box to allow/encourage devs to write about any other considerations, which players both be able to see on the game listing and be able to find via google / site text search.
Ian

From: sandra_uhling at web.de
To: games_access at igda.org
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 16:27:02 +0200
Subject: [games_access] Accessibility Requirements Ubisoft/Microsoft?

Hello, I found Assassins Creed Pirates in Windows Apps.There is the information that it fullfil the requirementsfor accessibility. But there is no more information about it. Does someone know about this? Best regards,Sandra
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