Accessible gaming
- Camilla Mercadante
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
FROM EYE-TRACKING TO BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES (BCI)
INTRODUCTION
The video game industry is undergoing a massive transformation, moving from simple entertainment to inclusive spaces. Among the most promising innovations are eye-tracking and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), solutions that could open up new possibilities for those living with motor or cognitive disabilities. The goal is not just to have fun, but to create unique experiences of dialogue and sharing for each gamer, respecting their psychophysical conditions. In this article, we'll explore how these technologies are revolutionizing accessible gaming, exploring scientific research, projects, and future challenges that challenge us as a community.
HOW EYE-TRACKING WORKS
Imagine being able to move a character, explore virtual worlds, or solve puzzles without ever having to touch a mouse or controller. For many people with motor or cognitive disabilities, this possibility is no longer a dream: thanks to eye-tracking and brain-computer interfaces, gaming becomes more accessible and immersive than ever before.
In particular, eye-tracking transforms eye movements into precise commands. Looking at an object on the screen is equivalent to clicking, selecting, or moving a character. Some experimental games allow you to interact with 3D environments and characters simply by looking. Furthermore, there are several platforms, including Eye Gaze Games , which make the eyes the primary tool for advancing the narrative or deciphering puzzles.
BCIs, on the other hand, still represent an experimental frontier: non-invasive ones, based on EEG (electroencephalogram) or fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy), can detect a limited number of commands (usually one or two degrees of freedom); while invasive versions guarantee greater precision but carry significant risks and complex ethical implications.
In this regard, the Neuralink project announced that it has started trials on people with spinal cord injuries and ALS. Currently, limited information is available on the status of Neuralink's public trials. Experts call for greater transparency, in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki .
Despite the limitations and open ethical questions, the impact of these technologies is already tangible. Various scientific studies, such as " Hands-Free Eye Tracking System for Physically Disabled People" (PubMed, 2023), "A Study on the Use of Eye Tracking to Adapt Gameplay and Procedural Content Generation in FPS Games" (MDPI, 2018), and "Eye Tracking in Framework for the Development of Games for People with Motor Disabilities" (Springer, 2019), have begun to document the concrete benefits of eye-tracking and brain-computer interfaces, demonstrating that video games based on them can increase autonomy, immersion, and consumer satisfaction, and reduce the frustration and fatigue otherwise caused by the inability to use them.
In this context, gaming ceases to be a simple pastime and evolves into an environment where technology, creativity, fun, and accessibility effectively meet.
WHAT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SAYS
As mentioned, in recent years, research has shown how eye-tracking and brain-computer interfaces are redefining the relationship between disability and video games. The study published in the journal Sensors ( PubMed , 2023), titled “ Hands-Free Eye Tracking System for Physically Disabled People ,” conducted on a small group of ten participants without a control team, showed that eye-tracking systems achieved up to 95% accuracy with nearly imperceptible latency (0.0003 seconds per data point) and a stable frame rate of 30 frames per second, enabling smooth and reliable interactions for people with significant motor disabilities.
In 2018, the Swiss scientific publishing house Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) made public the research “ A Study on the Use of Eye Tracking to Adapt Gameplay and Procedural Content Generation in FPS Games ,” in which he observed increased concentration and emotional engagement in players who used gaze as the primary input, compared to the control group. However, effectiveness varies depending on environmental factors such as light, distance from the screen, and the use of glasses.
Subsequently, in 2019, the analysis entitled “ Eye Tracking in Framework for the Development of Games for People with Motor Disabilities ” by the German academic publisher Springer proposed a framework designed to help developers create accessible video games from the early programming stages. The authors highlighted that designing natively for eye-tracking could reduce frustration in some cases and strengthen motivation, promoting a more natural and continuous interaction with the game environment. Finally, in 2024, the study “ User Evaluation of a Shared Robot Control System Combining BCI and Eye Tracking in a Portable Augmented Reality User Interface ” ( MDPI, Sensors ) was shared, which further explored the integration between BCI and eye-tracking in augmented reality. The conclusions emphasized that eye-tracking technology alone ensures a perfect success rate and faster response times. Additionally, mental fatigue was lower when using only your eyes, and the overall experience was rated more intuitive in 11 of the 26 metrics analyzed.
These findings are also reflected in my personal experience: as a young woman with a very debilitating neuromuscular disability, I'm fortunate to be able to use eye tracking to communicate and live my life as fully as possible. In fact, playing The Sims 4 with the eye tracker gave me the joy of building, decorating homes, and managing my characters directly with eye movements, losing myself in their stories for hours during my typical emotionally charged moments. In Among Us , on the other hand, the tension of spying on suspected killers or, in turn, killing the targets becomes almost physical and electrifying, helping me vent my anger and personal frustrations.
Inclusive gaming, therefore, is a technologically brilliant revolution, as eye commands and brain impulses are powerful gestures of self-determination for people with disabilities. And the real challenge today is not winning, but being able to play freely, like any other human being.
CURIOSITY
Eye-tracking systems achieve accuracy of up to 95% and allow for smooth and immediate hands-free control ( PubMed , 2023);
According to MDPI (2018), games that react to eye movements can offer a more immersive and engaging experience than traditional controls;
Springer (2019) highlighted that games designed from the outset for eye-tracking increase motivation and reduce frustration in people with motor disabilities;
MDPI (2024) demonstrated that, in augmented reality environments, eye-tracking is more efficient and less fatiguing than in brain-computer interfaces.
GLOSSARY
Eye-tracking/eye-tracker: technology that detects and interprets eye movements, transforming them into digital commands;
BCI (Brain-Computer Interface): A brain-computer interface that reads neural signals and translates them into actions on the device. It can be invasive (with microelectrodes implanted in the brain) or non-invasive (such as an EEG);
Microelectrodes: Tiny sensors that are inserted into the brain to detect the electrical activity of neurons;
EEG (electroencephalogram): a non-invasive instrument that measures the brain's electrical activity through sensors placed on the scalp;
fNIRS (Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy): A noninvasive tool that uses infrared light to measure brain activity. It detects changes in blood flow and oxygenation at different points in the brain, providing insights into how the mind reacts during gaming or other cognitive activities;
Augmented reality: technology that superimposes digital elements onto the real world, visible via smartphones, tablets, or headsets. It allows interaction with the physical environment, enriched by virtual information in real time;
Hands-free interaction : A way of controlling a device that does not require the use of your hands, but uses eye movements, voice input, or brain signals.
ETHICS AND THE FUTURE OF GAMING
Technological progress isn't measured solely in terms of algorithms, speed, or power, but also in the ability to embrace those who have so far been marginalized. Assistive technologies are symbols of freedom, because they restore a measure of the autonomy that—unfortunately—some people lose from birth. But it's necessary and imperative to ask ethical questions: who really has access to these devices? And in the future, will they be economically sustainable and protected by privacy laws for brain and biometric data?
Currently, inclusive gaming represents a laboratory of diversity and rights: a place where technology shields human dignity. Future challenges aren't just about perfecting sensors or software, but building a gaming culture that respects every body and mind. Shared accessibility policies, public investment, and ongoing dialogue between developers, institutions, and the disability community will be needed. Only then can we truly speak of a gaming world capable of inclusiveness for all.
CONCLUSION
The revolution in video game accessibility is already in its infancy, but its future will depend on our ability to adapt and transform. Assistive technologies like eye-tracking and brain-computer interfaces aren't just a step forward in research, but a promise of freedom for millions of people with and without disabilities. Behind the sensors and brain signals, stories of social redemption and a desire to participate emerge: the right to play, create, and live fully, even through a virtual world.
We invite you to share this article, comment on your experience, and help build a community that recognizes accessibility as a fundamental human right.
Learn more about the international projects mentioned by visiting the official pages of Neuralink and Cognixion , two companies that are reshaping the future of human-computer interaction.
SOURCES
Experience the future of inclusive gaming!
Discover how eye-tracking and brain-computer interfaces are revolutionizing gaming for those with motor or cognitive disabilities. Share this article, tell us about your experience, and help build a community that puts accessibility at the heart of gaming.
Also explore the international projects of Neuralink and Cognixion and get inspired by the technologies that make gaming a right for everyone.
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