> ## 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.

# XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAG)

> Overview of the XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAG v3.2) covering text, audio, input, UI, and photosensitivity best practices for games evaluated by MGATS.

The **XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAGs)** are best practices developed with industry experts and the Gaming and Disability Community. They serve as:

* **Idea generators** for designers.
* **Guardrails** for developers.
* **Validation checklists** for test teams.

The XAGs are **not** a compliance checklist. They exist to make games enjoyable and playable for everyone. Microsoft's accessibility testing service (MGATS) evaluates against the XAGs.

<Note>
  Current published version: **XAG v3.2** (Jun 8, 2023). For change history, contact your Microsoft representative.
</Note>

## How each guideline is structured

Every XAG has the same sections:

* **Goal** — the desired impact on players.
* **Overview** — the barriers players with disabilities commonly encounter for this topic.
* **Scoping questions** — helps you decide whether the guideline applies to your title.
* **Background** — introductory material for complex topics.
* **Key areas to target** — game elements that must not be overlooked.
* **Implementation guidelines** — the prescriptive minimums.
* **Example content** — images and clips showing correct implementation.
* **Potential player impact** — the disability types most affected.
* **Resources and tools** — external reading.

## The 23 guidelines

### Visual

| #       | Guideline                                                                                                                | What it covers                                       |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **101** | [Text display](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-101-text-display)                                 | Font size, line spacing, color, customization        |
| **102** | [Contrast](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-102-contrast)                                         | Foreground / background contrast ratios              |
| **109** | [Object clarity](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-109-objective-clarity)                          | Distinguishability of in-game objects and objectives |
| **112** | [UI navigation](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-112-ui-navigation)                               | Logical reading and focus order                      |
| **113** | [UI focus handling](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-113-ui-focus-handling)                       | Visible focus indicators                             |
| **114** | [UI context](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-114-ui-context)                                     | Headings, labels, and contextual cues                |
| **117** | [Visual distractions and motion](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-117-visual-distractions-motion) | Camera shake, parallax, motion-blur opt-outs         |
| **118** | [Photosensitivity](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-118-photosensitivity)                         | Flashing patterns, photosensitive-epilepsy safety    |

### Audio

| #       | Guideline                                                                                                | What it covers                                             |
| ------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **103** | [Additional cues](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-103-additional-cues)           | Don't rely on a single sense for any cue                   |
| **104** | [Subtitles and captions](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-104-subtitles-captions) | Caption text, speaker labels, sound effects                |
| **105** | [Audio accessibility](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-105-audio-accessibility)   | Independent volume sliders for music / dialog / SFX / chat |
| **106** | [Screen narration](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-106-screen-narration)         | TTS narration of UI for blind / low-vision players         |
| **111** | [Audio description](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-111-audio-descriptions)      | Narration of visual scenes / cinematics                    |

### Input

| #       | Guideline                                                                                      | What it covers                                 |
| ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| **107** | [Input](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-107-input)                     | Remapping, hold-vs-tap, accessible peripherals |
| **110** | [Haptic feedback](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-110-haptic-feedback) | Optional and informative rumble                |

### Difficulty and pace

| #       | Guideline                                                                                            | What it covers                          |
| ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **108** | [Difficulty options](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-108-difficulty-options) | Difficulty selection, granular assists  |
| **115** | [Error messages](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-115-error-messages)         | Confirmations, undo, clear errors       |
| **116** | [Time limits](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-116-time-limits)               | Pause, extend, or disable time pressure |

### Communication

| #       | Guideline                                                                                                          | What it covers                                         |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **119** | [Chat (STT / TTS)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-119-chat)                               | Built-in or platform-provided STT and TTS              |
| **120** | [Communication experiences](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-120-communication-experiences) | Safer chat defaults, friction for unmoderated channels |

### Documentation and support

| #       | Guideline                                                                                                                        | What it covers                                        |
| ------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **121** | [Accessible feature documentation](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-121-accessible-feature-documentation) | Where and how to document your accessibility features |
| **122** | [Accessible customer support](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-122-accessible-customer-support)           | Multi-channel support for assistive-tech users        |
| **123** | [Mental health best practices](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xag-deep-dives/xag-123-mental-health-best-practices)         | Safer content warnings, opt-outs, breaks              |

## Use the XAGs in your process

<Steps>
  <Step title="Design phase">
    Run scoping questions against your design pillars. Mark in-scope guidelines and decide which assists to bake into core systems vs. options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implementation phase">
    Pull the implementation guidelines into your task tracker. Track per-feature accessibility acceptance criteria.
  </Step>

  <Step title="QA / cert prep">
    Run [MGATS](/build/game-principles/accessibility/mgats) before final cert. Address the report's findings before submitting.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Store listing">
    Document supported accessibility features in your [Properties](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/properties-basic-info) module so they surface on the Store PDP.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Related GDK building blocks

* [Accessibility overview](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-overview)
* [Speech accessibility user settings](/build/game-principles/accessibility/speech-accessibility)
* [Text-to-speech](/build/console-features/text-to-speech/text-to-speech)
* [XAccessibility API](/reference/system/xaccessibility/xaccessibility_members)
* [XSpeechSynthesizer API](/reference/system/xspeechsynthesizer/xspeechsynthesizer_members)

## See also

* [Gaming and Disability Player Experience Guide (GADPEG)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/gadpeg)
* [Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals learning path](/build/game-principles/accessibility/gaf-info)
* [MGATS](/build/game-principles/accessibility/mgats)
* [Accessibility feature tags](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-feature-tags)
* [XBOX Developer Programs](https://www.xbox.com/developers/id)

## Related API documentation

* [XGameUI API reference](/reference/system/xgameui/xgameui_members) — accessibility-aware system UI (speech-to-text, virtual keyboard)
* [XGameStreaming API reference](/reference/system/xgamestreaming/xgamestreaming_members) — physical stream dimensions for readable UI
* [Touch adaptation kit reference](/reference/system/touchadaptationkit/touchadaptationkit-reference) — touch layouts for accessibility


## Related topics

- [Glossary](/publishing/game-publishing/glossary.md)
- [Microsoft Gaming Accessibility Testing](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-mgats.md)
- [GDK accessibility overview](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-overview.md)
- [Developer accessibility resources](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-resources.md)
- [Accessibility metadata](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/metadata-accessibility.md)