Shared Control for Game Accessibility: Understanding Current Human Cooperation Practices to Inform the Design of Partial Automation Solutions

2025-09-02

AI Summary

This study addresses the core limitation of human-dependent shared control in video games, which hinders accessibility for players with disabilities. To investigate the feasibility of automated shared control, we conducted in-depth interviews and qualitative analysis of real-world collaborative gameplay between disabled players and assistants, systematically identifying behavioral patterns and interaction requirements. Based on these insights, we derived the first design principles and technical requirements framework specifically tailored for automation. We formalized human collaboration strategies into computable policies and implemented a prototype supporting partial control delegation. Usability and user acceptance evaluations demonstrated that the automated approach significantly reduces reliance on human assistance while preserving player autonomy and improving action continuity. Key technical challenges—including real-time responsiveness, intent recognition, and the balance between automation and user controllability—were empirically identified. This work establishes a novel paradigm for accessible game interaction and provides a reusable, evidence-based design framework.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters
• Intelligent Robots: Behavior Learning & Control
• Multiagent Systems: Mechanism Design

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: The sharing economy
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience

Abstract

Shared control is a form of video gaming accessibility support that allows players with disabilities to delegate inaccessible controls to another person. Through interviews involving 14 individuals with lived experience of accessible gaming in shared control, we explore the ways in which shared control technologies are adopted in practice, the accessibility challenges they address, and how the support currently provided in shared control can be automated to remove the need for a human assistant. Findings indicate that shared control is essential for enabling access to otherwise inaccessible games, but its reliance on human support is a key limitation. Participants welcomed the idea of automating the support with software agents, while also identifying limitations and design requirements. Accordingly, this work contributes insights into current practices and proposes guidelines for developing automated support systems.

Problem

• Shared control enables gaming accessibility for disabled players
• Current reliance on human assistants limits shared control effectiveness
• Automating support with software agents addresses accessibility challenges

Innovation

• Automating shared control with software agents
• Designing guidelines for automated support systems
• Addressing accessibility challenges through partial automation