The games industry has recently made huge strides towards making gaming accessible to differently-abled fans. Microsoft revealed their adaptive controller, which can be customized to accommodate a wide variety of control schemes, and teams like Naughty Dog are allowing players to skip quick-time events that may be hard to perform.
Even so, players often move faster than studios. This is the case with Danik Soudakoff, a deaf overwatch fan. Featured in an Overwatch League’s recap video, she’s worked with Overwatch League’s interpreter to create unique gestures in American Sign Language for each character.
Genji’s sign mimes his signature sword swirling, while Widowmaker’s mimics lining up a sniper shot. Danik says that when she watches on twitch, she doesn’t understand anything. That’s why she goes to the live events, where she’s able to watch a live interpreter and experience the excitement of the crowd.
Other fans have come up with tweaks Blizzard could implement to help deaf players in the game. Characters typically announce their ultimates with vocal callouts, but small symbols near the edge of the screen would help hearing-impaired players equally aware of them.
One of Overwatch’s strengths is its diverse cast of characters. It’s great to see efforts to make it accessible to an equally diverse cast of fans.
Source: Game Informer Deaf Overwatch Fans Are Coming Up With Unique Callouts For Each Character