EA will not be submitting any lawsuit towards different builders that use the patented accessibility mechanics it makes use of in its video games. The online game large has introduced that it is making a Patents Pledge, which provides rival builders free entry to any of its accessibility-related applied sciences. While not all gameplay mechanics are patented, some corporations have taken to ensuring opponents aren’t legally allowed to make use of their applied sciences. Critics condemn the observe, accusing the businesses of stifling creativity and innovation within the trade. EA at the least will not be suing anyone that incorporate its accessibility options of their video games, together with Apex Legends’ “ping” system.

The function offers gamers in the identical group a strategy to talk with one another with out utilizing voice chat. They can merely faucet buttons to inform their teammates the place they’re on a map, to alert others of a risk or to tag targets. Supposedly, Epic Games borrowed Apex’s ping system for Fortnite. The Patents Pledge additionally covers at the least 4 extra EA options, three of which make video video games extra accessible to gamers with imaginative and prescient points. Those applied sciences, already in use within the Madden NFL and FIFA franchises, can routinely detect colours after which modify their brightness and distinction to make them extra seen. 

The final patent within the 5 EA particularly talked about covers a expertise permitting gamers with listening to points to change or create their very own music. EA says it’ll add any future accessibility patents to the pledge and that it hopes the transfer can “encourage others to build new features that make video games more inclusive.”

Chris Bruzzo, EA’s EVP of Positive Play, Commercial and Marketing, stated in an announcement: 

“At Electronic Arts, our mission is to encourage the world to play. We can solely make {that a} actuality if our video video games are accessible to all gamers. Our accessibility group has lengthy been dedicated to breaking down limitations inside our video video games, however we notice that to drive significant change, we have to work collectively as an trade to do higher for our gamers.

We hope builders will profit from these patents and encourage those that have the assets, innovation and creativity to do as now we have by making their very own pledges that put accessibility first. We welcome collaboration with others on how we transfer the trade ahead collectively.”