While gamers with disabilities have historically been fairly overlooked for most of the video game industry’s history, the past generation of gaming has helped make these marginalized players better equipped to share in the fun. Games like The Last of Us Part 2 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe have been praised for the options that help disabled gamers adapt controls to their needs, and Microsoft made an exceptional move forward with their Xbox Adaptive Controller. That controller helped make numerous games infinitely more playable for the disabled, and now, that inclusion is being transmitted forward to the next generation with some newly revealed Xbox Series X tactile indicators.

Inclusive design tidbit. E suggested we put tactile indicators (for the blind) over the ports of the Xbox Series X, also helps for reach-around cabling. @KaitlynJones_ worked with the design team and our community. It’s not a complete solution but we’ll see how it does & learn. pic.twitter.com/9Mx7WkI3CF

— Bryce Johnson (@brycej) October 9, 2020

Microsoft Devices Inclusive Lead Bryce Johnson recently shared a new image of the Xbox Series X tactile indicators on his Twitter account. Johnson includes a close-up photo of the power, HDMI, Ethernet, USB and storage outlets on the back of the Xbox Series X. The labels for the outlets also seem to include unique bump “patterns” for each individual label. Johnson points out that these patterns are meant to help the visually impaired discern which cable each outlet pertains to, similar to Braille, but not directly using Braille translations.

Johnson himself was previously the main designed behind the Xbox adaptive controller, but specifically mentions that program manager Kaitlyn Johnson worked with the design team to add the Xbox Series X tactile indicators.  He also defends the inclusion of these indicators as being useful for those not visually impaired, as it can still help differentiate the outlets when reaching around behind the tv against a wall or furniture set. It is not yet know if any other labels on the Xbox Series X will include tactile indicators, but hopefully these ones are well received so future iterations of the Xbox and other consoles will make this a standard feature.

What do you guys think about the Xbox Series X tactile indicators? Let us know in the comments below! Be sure to stay tuned for the latest news in gaming improvements for the disabled, such as AbleGamers’s new initiative to help marginalized developers, here on Don’t Feed the Gamers! Follow us on Twitter to see our updates the minute they go live!