EA pledges not to sue over its accessibility patents and technologies

EA will not be presenting any demand against other developers that use the patented accessibility mechanics used in their games. The giant of the videogame has announced that it is making a patent promise, which gives rival developers free access to any of its technologies related to accessibility. While not all game mechanics are patented, some companies have taken to make sure that competitors are not legally allowed to use their technologies. Critics condemn the practice, accusing social creativity and innovation companies in the industry. At least, at least it will not sue anyone to incorporate their accessibility features into their games, including the “ping” system of the Apex Legends.

The characteristic gives the players in the same team a way to communicate with each other without using a voice voice. They can simply touch the buttons to tell their teammates where they are on a map, to alert others from a threat or to label objectives. Supposedly, the epic games rendered in the Apex ping system for Fortnite. Patents compromise also cover at least four more EA features, three of which make video games more accessible to players with vision problems. These technologies, already in use in the franchises of Madden NFL and FIFA, can automatically detect colors and then modify its brightness and contrast to make them more visible.

The last patent in the five EA mentioned specifically covers a technology that allows players with hearing problems to modify or create their own music. EA says that you will add any future accessibility patent to the promise and that you expect the movement to “encourage others to build new features that make video games more inclusive.”