Forza Horizon 5 will be adding an inclusivity feature in a future update: accessibility options in the form of sign language support.
Accessibility is one of the things we always look out for when we write our video game reviews over here at ClutchPoints. We understand the need for accessibility features as a way to make video games more inclusive. These features allow more players to enjoy the games we love. That's why for a game as big and as successful as Forza Horizon 5, it's a big deal.
Playground Games have the same thought as we do – it's important for them for more people to be able to play their games. It goes beyond simply having a wider market and being more appealing to more people. Accessibility features have historically been just ‘nice to haves' in video games, and people would just be thankful for these things being in their games in the first place. Accessibility options also are cost drivers that usually cost more than the money it'd get from additional sales. Finally, accessibility options are most likely not going to be the decision-breaking feature a game will have. This is why publishers and developers usually don't have accessibility settings high on their priorities list.
But Forza Horizon 5 launched with a variety of accessibility options, and Playground Games still want to add even more. It's refreshing to see developers actively trying to make their games more accessible. “We want everyone in the world to be able to experience our game, and with more than an estimated 400 million gamers with disabilities across the globe, it is vital that all players be able to tailor their gameplay in a way that works best for them,” says Creative Director Mike Brown.
Forza Horizon 5‘s additional accessibility options, namely American Sign Language and British Sign Language on cinematic cutscenes, will be coming in an unspecified date through a future update.