Post by @jscholes@dragonscave.space

2026-09-18 18:05 UTC

In November 2022, following the discontinuation of the HearthstoneAccess project by its initial developer, Blizzard announced that they would be quote "exploring what it will take to implement native accessibility features that allow for our #blind and #lowVision community to get back into the game" unquote. This was shortly followed by an update to implement separate volume levels for music, dialog, ambient sounds, and sound effects, as well as for the game overall. A very welcome #accessibility feature for multiple audiences. As of September 2026, no native keyboard or #screenReader accessibility has materialised, or been mentioned ever again as far as I'm aware. Meanwhile, every time there is a new in-product launch, the mixing of game audio is modified to be more in your face to the degree that a user's custom volume levels are effectively discarded.

Replies (5)

@startrek2025@mastodon.stickbear.me 2026-09-18 18:11

@jscholes@dragonscave.space That's too bad. That harthstone mod was really good. It's disappointing Blizzard has not shown the accessibility commitment that would be nice to see

Open ##5107317
@fastfinge@fed.interfree.ca 2026-09-18 18:57

@jscholes@dragonscave.space Why should they? They're still getting our money.

Open ##5107319
@zersiax@cupoftea.social 2026-09-18 19:26

@jscholes@dragonscave.space I guess they explored it and decided it was too much work. Even though, you know, there's already a patch that literally does it for them, but I'm sure they explored it...maybe....for a little while...

Open ##5107320
@Jage@mas.to 2026-09-18 19:44

@jscholes@dragonscave.space Sad thing is I have little confidence that if they were to ever release something that it would be anywhere close to the mod we have now.

Open ##5107325
@remixman@kind.social 2026-09-18 20:42

@jscholes@dragonscave.space @prism@infosec.exchange Are people playing this on iOS somehow?

Open ##5107327