Goal
Ensure that full motion videos (FMVs) or other in-game scripted cinematic events provide an additional audio track that describes all essential visual information and context, so players who can’t see visual content have an additional means of understanding and enjoying the content.Overview
An audio description track is commonly used by players who are blind or have low vision. It helps players understand what is visually happening that might not be obvious from character dialogue or other audible sounds in a video. FMVs and cinematic scenes often contribute to the story line or provide key insights on how to navigate the game — providing audio description ensures players who can’t see the visuals still get that information.Scoping questions
Does your game include FMVs, cutscenes, or other prerecorded, scripted cinematic events?- Have you included audio description tracks that can be enabled by the player?
Key areas to target
Areas where audio description tracks are important:- FMVs that open the game or set the stage for new chapters
- Cutscenes mid-game
- In-game advertisements or promotional videos for DLC
- Tutorial or in-game how-to guides presented via prerecorded, scripted FMV
- FMVs played during loading screens
Trailers and promotional videos for games are other areas where audio description tracks should be supported.
Implementation guidelines
- Match prior broadcasts. All media that previously aired on television with audio descriptions and appears in a game (or on the title’s website) should also be audio described in-game.
- Localized descriptions. Appropriately localized audio descriptions should be available for FMVs or in-game scripted cinematic events, if the player enables them.
- Timing. Descriptions should play during natural gaps in playback. When natural gaps are insufficient, extended audio descriptions can be provided — temporarily pausing the video/scripted event to allow each segment of description to play out.
- Alternative when audio description isn’t available. Consider providing full transcripts of all FMVs or scripted cinematic events via an accessible website or format, including facial expressions, narratively important actions, non-speech sounds, and dialogue.
Example: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla trailer
The audio described version of the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Cinematic World Premiere trailer demonstrates correct implementation:- Concise descriptions that provide enough key detail so visual content is represented in its entirety
- Descriptions occur between character dialogue and are clearly distinguishable from it
- Example flow:
- Audio description: “Dusk, snow-covered mountains surround a North town”
- Character speaks: “They are heartless.”
- Audio description: “An older bearded Northman greets a boy and girl…”