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Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’s PS5 features show Insomniac Games is serious about accessibility

May 21 2021
Written by Ed Nightingale

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. (Sony)

Insomniac has detailed the extensive accessibility options in their forthcoming PlayStation (PS5) exclusive Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

In a comprehensive Twitter thread they’ve detailed the various visual, audio and gameplay options that will ensure the game is playable for everyone.

Some are simple options like toggling aim modes, providing an aim assist, and controller stick sensitivity.

Others are much more in-depth, for example all controls can be completely remapped; various shaders can be used to improve contrast, icons and text can be resized and/or colours changed. Also, vibration intensity and effects can be amended.

Developing games that are playable and inclusive for people from a wide variety of backgrounds is critical to our mission at Insomniac Games. Below is a list of some of the major accessibility features you can expect to see come June 11th in #RatchetPS5.#GAAD2021 #GAAD pic.twitter.com/1EOJFfIruv

— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) May 20, 2021

Insomniac has a post with full details.

What’s more, they state: “We’re excited about the future of accessibility and the continued expansion of inclusive features. Like with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, we’re able to transfer new features from game to game and are building a foundation that will grow our accessibility features and allow our games to reach more players.

“This is a key part of our mission to enrich the lives of people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.”

Insomniac say they’re listening to players. In response to a suggestion of including gyro aiming, the team replied appreciating the “valuable feedback”.

Another response thanked the Insomniac team for their accessibility options that had allowed their son to complete Spider-Man and look forward to Ratchet & Clank.

My son is 10, has Down syndrome and was able to beat both of @insomniacgames Spider-Man games all by himself thanks to your accessibility settings. He’s preordered Rift Apart and both of us are super excited! Nice job, team!— Jason Babcock-Stiner (@JBStiner) May 20, 2021

Indeed, the options here follow on from Insomniac’s excellent work with Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which similarly feature comprehensive options.

Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Part II also features a wealth of options. In fact, according to a study by Lenstore, the game was voted the most accessible game for those with visual impairments.

Among its key features, the game includes options for colour deficiency, adjustable fonts, HUD scaling, and contrast settings.

Together, this proves that Sony and PlayStation are leading the way when it comes to accessibility in games, although Xbox does have the programmable adaptive controller.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is released on 11 June and is set to showcase what the new console can do.

Check out the latest trailer offering a glimpse of the planets we’ll soon be visiting.