Anyone with access to a console/computer and a digital or physical copy of a game can in theory play and enjoy video games. But some people have physical challenges that makes that difficult, like YouTuber and streamer Steve Saylor. He’s an activist for disability awareness in video games that recently shared a touching response to the newaccessibility features inThe Last of Us Part 2.
Saylor posted a video on June 12 to his Twitter that shares his reaction to the 60 options Naughty Dog added toThe Last of Us Part 2to let players customize their experience. Upon accessing the screen that allows players to view and tweak these options, Saylor broke down crying tears of joy. He doesn’t say much, and even says “I don’t even know what to say” in what is clearly an emotional experience for him.
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Saylor’s video is just over two minutes long, but it’s clearly been cut and edited down from a longer take. The streamer says “there is so much here” in response to the huge amount of options that offer help to a wide range of impairments. One of the options is text-to-speech, which is vital for blind gamers like Saylor. That and arumor that the PS5 controller will have a Braille text displayare amazing news for those who are visually impaired. Video games are becoming more accessible than ever.
Saylor also says in the video that the accessibility control options are exactly what he and other people in the accessibility community have been advocating for “for so long.” He tearfully adds “this is why I do what I do,” referring to his and other streamers' hard work to promote accessibility for disabled gamers.The Last of Us Part 2is intended to be divisive, but personal player preference over story and gameplay is different than what advocates like Saylor are calling for: the ability for all players, regardless of ability, to get to experience a game for themselves.
The video blew up on Twitter, and as of now has over 300,000 views. His reaction even made the front page of r/Games. He later tweeted “There is no going back. There is a new standard of accessibility. I dare each and every studio to try to TOP THIS.“The Last of Us Part 2focuses on helping those with visual and hearing impairments, makingchanges to the controls and adding in high-contrast mode.
Both the Xbox Series X controllers and the upcoming DualSense for the PS5 have been criticized for cutting corners andgetting rid of accessibility features, so it’s nice to see that games likeThe Last of Us Part 2have all their players' best interests at heart.
The Last of Us Part 2will be available to play on August 03, 2025 for PS4.
