AI, aging well, and accessible digital games: the supplemental role of AI in accessible game design for older adults.

As the population continues to age, and gaming continues to grow as a hobby for older people, heterogeneity among older adult gamers is increasing. We argue that traditional game-based accessibility features, like simplified input schemes, redundant information channels, and increased legibility of digital user interfaces, are limited in the face of this heterogeneity. This is because such features affect all older adult players and, therefore, are designed generically. We introduce artificial intelligence-although it has its own limitations and ethical concerns-as a method of creating player-based accessibility features, given the adaptive nature of the technology. These features may help to address a unique assemblage of accessibility needs that may accumulate through age. We argue that existing AI technologies can build upon extant accessibility design techniques to improve digital game accessibility for heterogeneous older adults. We adopt insights from gerontology, human-computer interaction, and disability studies into the digital game design discourse for older adults, and we contribute insight that guides the integration of player-based accessibility features to supplement game-based counterparts. The accessibility of digital games for heterogeneous older adults is paramount, as the medium offers short-term social, emotional, psychological, cognitive, and physical benefits that support the long-term goal of aging well.