Amazon’s Hands-Free Game Control Feature
Published 07 September 2022
Amazon is launching a new voice-activated feature called Alexa Game Control, which will let players use natural vocal commands to manage actions in video games.
At Gamescom 2022, Amazon announced that the first compatible game will be zombie apocalypse title Dead Island 2 (to be released on February 3, 2023). In this instance, the tool can be used to execute secondary actions like swapping weapons, navigating to nearby locations, or taunting in-game zombies. To make these moves quicker, players won’t have to use the ‘Alexa’ wake word to activate voice commands, nor will they need Amazon-branded hardware – any microphone connected to their gaming console or computer is compatible. Prime memberships are not required either (users just need an Amazon account).
This first roll-out is an optional add-on for non-disabled players and, undoubtedly, a smart commercial integration that pushes Amazon’s voice assistant as the native hands-free tool for occupied players.
Perhaps more compelling, however, are future options for accessibility in this space. Amazon said Alexa Game Control will give developers the “tools they need to build fun and engaging gaming experiences that feature voice interactions powered by Alexa”. British gamers with disabilities have cited the affordability of assistive or adapted technology as the number one barrier to gaming (Scope, 2021). Amazon making its voice control plug-in readily available to game creators could be a valuable contribution to a more accessible landscape.
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