Implementing accessible features for visually impaired players

Redesigning Genshin Impact

Redesigning Genshin Impact

Redesigning Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is an open-world role-playing game in the fantasy world of Teyvat. It has an action-based combat system with elemental magic, character switching, and a gacha monetization system. However, despite its growing popularity, accessibility is a recurring challenge for many players.

Roles

UX/UI Designer

Team

Solo

tools

Figma, Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop &

Procreate

timeline

4 months

Problem:
Lack of accessibility

Tiny text, cluttered interfaces, and limited customization options leave many players struggling to fully enjoy the game, Genshin Impact.


As a passionate player, I saw these frustrations firsthand. Fellow Travelers voiced their love for the game but shared how accessibility barriers kept them from fully immersing themselves.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

solution:
reimagined game with data driven insights

With my insights, I focused on two key areas:


  • Simplifying the Map: I proposed a filtering system to reduce visual clutter, enabling players to highlight key points of interest and declutter the interface.

  • Customizing the Experience: I reimagined the settings menu with split-screen functionality, real-time adjustments, customizable presets, and a dedicated accessibility section, empowering players to tailor the game to their needs.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

The Settings: Layout

Rather than having to exit the settings to view the changes you have made, the split screen layout allows you to see the changes instantly.

Rather than having to exit the settings to view the changes you have made, the split screen layout allows you to see the changes instantly.

The Settings: Presets

This added section allows you to adjust the user interface how you want. Create your most comfortable gameplay by customizing the HUD, in-game text and map preset.

This added section allows you to adjust the user interface how you want. Create your most comfortable gameplay by customizing the HUD, in-game text and map preset.

The Settings: Accessibility

This added section provides additional accessible features to customize your Genshin Impact experience.

This added section provides additional accessible features to customize your Genshin Impact experience.

The World Map Filter

Say no more to overlapping names and icons on the map! Filter your map display to quickly find ascension materials and enemy locations, or declutter for better legibility.

Say no more to overlapping names and icons on the map! Filter your map display to quickly find ascension materials and enemy locations, or declutter for better legibility.

Process

Process

Process

Process

A breakdown of the design process.

Discover

Analysis, Primary & Secondary Research

Analysis, Primary & Secondary

Research

Analysis, Primary & Secondary Research

Define

Discovery exploration & Problem Focus

Discovery exploration &

Problem Focus

Discovery exploration & Problem Focus

Develop

Ideation, Wireframes, Usability Testing, Refinement

Ideation, Wireframes, Usability

Testing, Refinement

Ideation, Wireframes, Usability Testing,

Refinement

Deliver

Solution; High-Fidelity Screens & Working Prototype

Solution; High-Fidelity Screens

& Working Prototype

Solution; High-Fidelity Screens &

Working Prototype

discover:
research plan

I created a research plan with a KWHL table to guide my process effectively. This framework gave me direction in identifying accessibility challenges within Genshin Impact and the gaming industry. By utilizing research triangulation tables, POEMS, and concise competitor analysis, I gained valuable insights that shaped my understanding and approach to the project.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

KWHL table for research plan
KWHL table for research plan
KWHL table for research plan
KWHL table for research plan
KWHL table for research plan
KWHL table for research plan
discover:
community deep dive

I began by diving into the Genshin Impact community to address these issues. Genshin (Hoyoverse) and Reddit forums revealed recurring pain points, particularly among players with visual impairments. These stories highlighted struggles with reading quest objectives, navigating the map, and customizing settings to fit individual needs.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

Hoyolab Genshin Impact Forum

“Is it possible to implement some visual disability UI options to make it easier for people with disabilities to play the game?”

Hoyolab Genshin Impact Forum

"I'm a late-game player, yet I still struggle with many aspects of the game due to being legally blind."

Hoyolab Genshin Impact Forum

"1. Color Blindness Modes: Protanopia, Protanomaly, Deuteranopia Text Options..I have asked for this in every survey until I gave up doing surveys."

Reddit r/Genshin_Impact

"I don't understand how there are still no options for visual indicators of sound effects, subtitles not available for everything, and no way to rebind my mouse actions."

Hoyolab Genshin Impact Forum

"I'd love more accessibility options as I can only play with one hand, making it difficult to play."

Reddit r/Genshin_Impact

"My hope is for genshin to add text to speech as an accessibility tool."

Hoyolab Genshin Impact Forum

"Honestly, I just want an outline for cutscenes subtitles…Whenever there is white in the animation it sucks to have white subtitles. Also I'd appreciate a colorblind setting."

Hoyolab Genshin Impact Forum

"I am shocked how little people talk about the lack of accessibility options. Changing font size, HUD size, colorblind options etc. there are hardly any 'basic' settings that other games would be destroyed for not having. Obviously, the settings are not consistant across all Hoyo games but it does pose problems in other games as well."

Hoyolab Genshin Impact Forum

"As a mobile user (sometimes), I find it to be a struggle to see the very tiny text on my iPhone."

define:
personas & user journeys

I created personas representing three users with different types of visual impairments to empathize with diverse experiences. For each persona, I developed detailed user journey maps to illustrate their interactions with Genshin Impact. These maps highlighted specific pain points and opportunities for improvement, helping to shape design solutions that address their unique accessibility needs. This approach ensured my work was user-centered and informed by the challenges faced by players with visual constraints.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

KWHL table for research plan
KWHL table for research plan
KWHL table for research plan
develop
mid-fidelity wireframes

Due to Genshin Impact's extensive design system, I decided to hop into mid-fidelity wireframes while keeping the brand guidelines in mind. I wanted to ideate while implementing the essence of the game throughout my exploration.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

develop
player testing & survey

Using the wireframes above, I conducted user testing and gathered feedback from 11 participants through a survey. Listening to players’ perspectives was crucial for identifying accessibility challenges and improving the design. The results often differed from my initial expectations, reinforcing the importance of user feedback in creating inclusive and user-centered designs.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

World Map Icons

Most participants (8/11) preferred all icons visible on the map by default, indicating a need for control through filtering rather than pre-limited options.

Screen Reader Preferences

90% of participants (10/11) favored adjusting screen readers via settings, preferring detailed customization over immediate HUD toggling.

Accessibility and Preset Settings

Most players (7/11) preferred dedicated pages for accessibility and presets, emphasizing a need for more options and clarity.

World Map Icons

Most participants (8/11) preferred all icons visible on the map by default, indicating a need for control through filtering rather than pre-limited options.

Screen Reader Preferences

90% of participants (10/11) favored adjusting screen readers via settings, preferring detailed customization over immediate HUD toggling.

Accessibility and Preset Settings

Most players (7/11) preferred dedicated pages for accessibility and presets, emphasizing a need for more options and clarity.

World Map Icons

Most participants (8/11) preferred all icons visible on the map by default, indicating a need for control through filtering rather than pre-limited options.

Screen Reader Preferences

90% of participants (10/11) favored adjusting screen readers via settings, preferring detailed customization over immediate HUD toggling.

Accessibility and Preset Settings

Most players (7/11) preferred dedicated pages for accessibility and presets, emphasizing a need for more options and clarity.

World Map Icons

Most participants (8/11) preferred all icons visible on the map by default, indicating a need for control through filtering rather than pre-limited options.

Screen Reader Preferences

90% of participants (10/11) favored adjusting screen readers via settings, preferring detailed customization over immediate HUD toggling.

Accessibility and Preset Settings

Most players (7/11) preferred dedicated pages for accessibility and presets, emphasizing a need for more options and clarity.

World Map Icons

Most participants (8/11) preferred all icons visible on the map by default, indicating a need for control through filtering rather than pre-limited options.

Screen Reader Preferences

90% of participants (10/11) favored adjusting screen readers via settings, preferring detailed customization over immediate HUD toggling.

Accessibility and Preset Settings

Most players (7/11) preferred dedicated pages for accessibility and presets, emphasizing a need for more options and clarity.

World Map Icons

Most participants (8/11) preferred all icons visible on the map by default, indicating a need for control through filtering rather than pre-limited options.

Screen Reader Preferences

90% of participants (10/11) favored adjusting screen readers via settings, preferring detailed customization over immediate HUD toggling.

Accessibility and Preset Settings

Most players (7/11) preferred dedicated pages for accessibility and presets, emphasizing a need for more options and clarity.

World Map Icons

Most participants (8/11) preferred all icons visible on the map by default, indicating a need for control through filtering rather than pre-limited options.

Screen Reader Preferences

90% of participants (10/11) favored adjusting screen readers via settings, preferring detailed customization over immediate HUD toggling.

Accessibility and Preset Settings

Most players (7/11) preferred dedicated pages for accessibility and presets, emphasizing a need for more options and clarity.

develop
updated wireframes

The survey revealed player's desire for control and customization, influencing the updated design of an all-inclusive map with filtering, detailed settings for screen readers, and separate pages for accessibility options to enhance usability and accessibility. In addition, some participants mentioned to me that it would be useful to see the changes they make in the settings which prompted me to switch to a dual-screen.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

deliver:
before, left vs after, right

A side-by-side comparison of the Genshin Impact game (left) and the final redesign wireframes (right) with the help from my research, usability testing, and ideating different approaches to implement accessibility.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

reflection
key takaways

What began as an academic assignment turned into a passionate pursuit due to my love for Genshin Impact. Designing accessible features for the game was rewarding. While this project marks only the start, I look forward to gathering further feedback from the community to expand and improve the work.

Prioritization was a major hurdle given the game's vast content. Initially, I tried tackling too much without considering time constraints. Narrowing my focus and testing key features with users helped refine the project with clearer intent.

Starting simple during usability testing is crucial. Iterating based on user feedback led to better solutions and taught me the value of collaborative input in design.

Managing time is a challenge for professionals across industries. Between meetings, project deadlines, and task switching, losing

track of time spent on valuable work is easy.

Pain Points

After deep diving into the community, I gathered the main pain points players on various platforms had about the game.

01

Settings

  • Lack of customization

  • Many options are hard-enabled

  • No Presets or accessibility pages

02

World Map

  • Difficult to read

  • Lots of clutter

  • Filter is only for domains, affecting

how players navigate the map

03

Default Sizing

  • Too small

  • Text and game elements cannot

be scaled (Subtitles, HUD etc)

LETS CONNECT!

Made with (´｡• ᵕ •｡) ♡ and many many chai lattes! © Cadline Boakye 2025

LETS CONNECT

Made with (´｡• ᵕ •｡) ♡ and many many chai lattes!
© Cadline Boakye 2025