> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # XAG 104: Subtitles and captions > Ensure players who don't rely on audio can follow all speech and important non-speech audio via subtitles, captions, and sign language. ## Goal Ensure all audio portrayed by the game can be understood by players who can't rely on audio — d/Deaf or hard-of-hearing players. That includes FMVs, cutscenes, NPC chatter, and important audio cues (gunfire, footsteps). ## Overview * **Subtitles** are text equivalents for speech / dialogue. * **Captions** are text equivalents for **all** audio — background music, SFX, tone, speaker identity, and directional cues like "over the radio." Without them, players miss backstory, story context, and objectives. ## Scoping questions Does your game include: * FMVs or cutscenes? * NPC chatter or dialogue? * Audio cues (gunfire, footsteps) that inform gameplay? ## Implementation guidelines ### Subtitles * **Provided for all spoken content.** * **Identify the speaker.** Label the speaker's name each time a new speaker starts. Once established, the label doesn't need to repeat on every subsequent line for the same speaker — only when the speaker changes or after a significant pause (≥ 1–2 minutes). * **Spatial indicators.** Use `<` / `>` arrows or explicit descriptors (e.g. `(on radio)`) when the source isn't obvious. * **Color** can distinguish speakers, but never as the sole channel — pair with a name label. * **Enable by default** at first launch, or let the player enable it before the first cinematic plays. * **Narrator lines** don't need a `Narrator:` prefix when there is only one narrator and no other speakers. ### Captions * **Provided for all important sounds** not already communicated visually. * **Spatial indication** (arrows) for off-screen sounds. * **Toggleable** and configurable through a discoverable setting. * Allow different caption categories (main dialogue, background chatter, ambient noises) to be toggled independently. ### Platform integration * Whenever possible, use the caption / subtitle settings the player configured at the **platform level** by default. Let players override in-game. ### Text presentation for subtitles and captions | Property | Requirement | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Size** | Meets [XAG 101](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-101-text-display) minimum. Larger defaults are encouraged for fast-moving text. | | **Adjustable size** | Scalable to ≥ 200% of the minimum. | | **Spacing** | Adequate space between characters. | | **Length** | ≤ 40 characters per line. Show ≤ 2 lines at a time (3 in exceptional cases). | | **Line breaks** | Prefer manual breaks at editorially sensible points. | | **Case** | Mixed case, not ALL CAPS. | | **Font** | At least one sans-serif option. | | **Background color** | Player-configurable solid background behind text. | | **Background opacity** | 0–100% player-configurable. | | **Placement** | Placed (typically bottom) so scaled text doesn't obscure gameplay UI. | ### Preview and persistence * Provide a **visual preview** of subtitle / caption presentation reflecting the player's current configuration, ideally in a realistic game context. * **Persist** captions and subtitles into screen recordings, captures, and other UGC so viewers can enable them. ### FMV transcripts * Full transcripts of FMVs are made available via an accessible website. ### Sign language interpretation * Provide sign-language interpretation for scripted in-game cutscenes and pre-rendered FMVs with speech. * Signing requires localization (ASL, BSL, JSL, etc. differ substantially). ## Potential player impact | Player | Impacted | | ----------------------------------------------- | :------: | | Players without hearing | ✔ | | Players with limited hearing | ✔ | | Players with cognitive or learning disabilities | ✔ | | Players in noisy environments or playing muted | ✔ | ## Resources * [Provide subtitles for all important speech](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/provide-subtitles-for-all-important-speech/) * [If any subtitles / captions are used, present them in a clear, easy to read way](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/if-any-subtitles-captions-are-used-present-them-in-a-clear-easy-to-read-way/) * [Provide subtitles for supplementary speech](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/provide-subtitles-for-supplementary-speech/) * [Ensure subtitles/captions are or can be turned on before any sound is played](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/ensure-subtitles-captions-are-or-can-be-enabled-before-any-sound-is-played) * [Allow subtitle/caption presentation to be customized](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/allow-subtitlecaption-presentation-to-be-customised/) * [Words-per-minute for the target age-group](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/ensure-that-subtitlescaptions-are-cut-down-to-and-presented-at-an-appropriate-words-per-minute-for-the-target-age-group) * [Provide captions or visuals for significant background sounds](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/provide-captions-or-visuals-for-significant-background-sounds/) * [Ensure no essential information is conveyed by sounds alone](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/ensure-no-essential-information-is-conveyed-by-sounds-alone) * [Provide a visual indication of who is currently speaking](http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/provide-a-visual-indication-of-who-is-currently-speaking) * [BBC Subtitle Guidelines](https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/forproducts/guides/subtitles/) * API: [XClosedCaptionGetProperties](https://developer.microsoft.com/games/xbox/docs/gdk/XClosedCaptionGetProperties) *(NDA)* * API: [XClosedCaptionSetEnabled](https://developer.microsoft.com/games/xbox/docs/gdk/XClosedCaptionSetEnabled) *(NDA)* ## Related topics - [XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAG)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines.md) - [XAG 102: Contrast](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-102-contrast.md) - [XAG 101: Text display](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-101-text-display.md) - [XAG 121: Accessible feature documentation](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-121-accessible-feature-documentation.md) - [Accessibility metadata](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/metadata-accessibility.md)