Electronic Arts (EA) has made a set of eight new accessibility patents available for free to everyone

Electronic Arts has expanded its Accessibility First Patent Pledge by adding eight new patents, enhancing features such as grapple assist, speech and audio generation tools, and improvements to its text tool, Fonttik.

A notable inclusion is the 'Intent-based Models for Use in Selecting Actions in Video Games (Grapple Assist)' patent, implemented in EA Sports UFC. This feature streamlines the process of grappling by automatically choosing optimal transitions, reducing the complexity and physical demands for users.

In the realm of speech and audio technology, the new patents encompass 'Expressive Speech Audio Generation', 'Robust Speech Audio Generation', and 'Speech Prosody Prediction'.

EA emphasized, "These technologies empower those with speech disorders or those needing verbal assistance, granting greater control over communication with clearer and more authentic speech."

Additionally, these advancements enhance game accessibility by allowing for speech integration into otherwise silent experiences, delivering more personalized and comprehensible feedback.

The tool Fonttik now includes enhancements for visual accessibility, such as filters for simulating colorblindness effects.

Kerry Hopkins, EA's SVP of global affairs, stated, "Our focus has been on creating universally accessible gameplay, reaching a broader audience by providing industry-wide access to these tools covering areas like color blindness and photosensitivity."

Initiated in 2021, the Accessibility First Patent Pledge opened with five tools made available to the industry to facilitate development.

EA has consistently added to this library, offering six tools in 2022, four in February 2024, and a further 23 later that December.

In total, EA has provided 46 patents to assist developers and publishers in crafting more inclusive games.