Gaming and color blindness: what types exist and what filters to use in video games to compensate
- Redazione ForAllWe
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Color blindness (more correctly , color vision deficiency ) isn't a unique condition: there are several variants, with very different impacts on how you perceive the UI, HUD, team indicators, item rarity, minimaps, and "color-only" signs. Understanding what type of deficit you have (or want to support in a game) is the first step to choosing truly useful filters and options , avoiding the classic "colorblind mode" that changes the palette slightly but doesn't solve the real problems.
Below: a clear overview of the main types of color blindness and a practical guide to the filters (system and in-game) and design choices that best compensate.
The main types of color blindness (and what changes in the game)
A) Red-green deficiency (the most common)
These are the ones that most often undermine competitive games and interfaces full of states (friend/enemy, ready/not ready, buff/debuff, rarity).
Deuteranomaly (weak green) This is one of the most common forms: some shades of green can appear more "reddish" or at least confused with reds/browns. It's often mild and doesn't hinder daily life, but in-game it can make markers, bars, and colored maps confusing.
Protanomaly (weak red) Red may appear more “green” and less bright : here the problem is not only chromatic confusion, but also readability (the red may “go out”).
Deuteranopia / Protanopia (strong red-green) In these forms, distinguishing red from green can become very difficult or impossible in many contexts. This is the case where the signals based on "green = ok / red = no" completely collapse.
B) Blue-yellow deficiency (rarer)
Tritanopia / Tritanomaly This is where blue and yellow (or some variants) get mixed up , resulting in strange effects on skies, blue markers, blue “rares,” etc. It’s less common, but when a game uses blue/yellow as an information pair (e.g., Team A vs. Team B), the impact is immediate.
C) Monochromatisms (very rare)
Achromatopsia and monochromatism are conditions in which color perception is extremely reduced or absent. In these cases, "protan/deutan/tritan" filters are often insufficient: non-color-based solutions (patterns, icons, text, contrasts, outlines) are needed. (They are rare, but when they do exist, they are game changers for accessibility.)
Filters and Options: What Really Works (and What Doesn't)
A) System filters: useful, but not miraculous
System-level filters change the colors of the entire console/OS. They're a great safety net when a game doesn't offer options, but they have limitations: they can alter mood/art, make some UIs overly saturated, and they don't resolve color-based cues without other visual differences.
PlayStation 5: “Color Correction”
On PS5, there's a Color Correction option with Enable Color Filter and a strength slider . It's a quick way to try color alternatives when a title lacks options. ( PlayStation )
Xbox: “Color filters”
Xbox offers adjustable color filters designed to make colors more distinguishable and applied to the console interface (with specific behaviors for what is altered). ( Xbox Support )
Windows 10/11: Color Filters (PC)
On Windows, there are filters for deuteranopia, protanopia, and tritanopia , which are especially useful for games without dedicated modes or to improve the readability of the launcher/UI. ( Microsoft Support )
Nintendo Switch: Basic Options (Invert/Grayscale)
The Switch doesn't offer (natively) protan/deutan/tritan filters, but it does include options like Invert Colors and Grayscale . These are more "rough" tools and are rarely the best solution for classic color blindness, but they can help in specific cases or in combination with in-game settings. ( Nintendo Support )
When to use system filters
If a game has no color accessibility option.
To quickly improve the readability of low-contrast UI/HUD.
As a “fallback” for older titles or lazy ports.
When to avoid them
If the game offers better in-game options (see below).
If they alter the art too much and reduce the contrast in dark scenes.
If the problem is “information conveyed only by color”: that’s where design is needed, not a filter.
B) In-game filters: better if done well
A good "Colorblind Mode" is n't just a global filter: it's a combination of UI choices and feedback. A concrete example: some titles implement Protanopia/Deuteranopia/Tritanopia presets with adjustable intensity and preview, so the user can calibrate based on their own perception. (A good practice: show the changes in real time.) ( Xbox Wire )
What to Look for in a Good “Colorblind” Menu
Separate presets (protan/deutan/tritan), not a single toggle.
Intensity slider .
Dedicated options for HUD and markers (not just “weirdest image”).
Customization of team colors, pings, rarities, crosshairs, outlines.
The key point: don't use color as the only information
If there's one rule that's more important than any filter, it's this: don't rely on color alone to convey essential information . It's a best practice reiterated in the accessibility guidelines for video games: use color as a reinforcement, not as the only way.
Practical solutions that (really) work
Here are the “secret weapons” that are often worth more than filters:
Icons, symbols, text
“Enemy” doesn’t have to be just red: add an icon , arrow , tag or text (E / A / !).
Item rarity: not just color, but edge shape , number of stars , pattern .
Patterns and textures
Status bars: Different lines / dots / dashes for different states.
Map areas: distinct pattern fills.
Outline and highlight
Thicker outlines for important targets.
Differentiated glow/outline (with pattern or shape), not just tint.
Contrast and Luminance: Those with red (protan) deficiency may perceive red as darker: therefore, it is important to work on contrast and luminance , not just the hue. The guidelines also recommend checking contrast/readability using simulators.
Personalization Where possible: allow the user to choose colors for:
team A / team B
ping and marker
Minimap, Crosshair, and Hitmarker Customization almost always beats “one size fits all” presets.
Quick Guide for Gamers: What to Try in 10 Minutes
If you have color blindness (or suspect you do) and a game is “cheating” you on crucial information:
Check the in-game options first
- Search: “Colorblind”, “Accessibility”, “HUD”, “UI”, “Contrast”, “Outline”.
- If there is a test/preview, use it.
Then try the system filters
- PS5: Color Correction + intensity. ( PlayStation )
- Xbox: Color filters. ( Xbox Support )
- Windows: Color filters for protan/deutan/tritan. ( Microsoft Support )
- Switch: Grayscale/Invert (more drastic). ( Nintendo Support )
If the issue is competitive (team colors / ping / minimap) Prioritize:
- team color change
- marker with symbols
- outline and shape differencesGlobal filters are often not enough.
Checklist for devs and UI designers (real accessibility, not cosmetic)
If you're designing (or evaluating) a game's color accessibility, this checklist is a good starting point:
No essential information communicated by color alone . ( Game Accessibility Guidelines )
Separate presets: Protan / Deutan / Tritan + intensity .
Duplicate status indicators with icons/text/patterns .
Minimap and ping: different shapes, not just different colors.
Rarity/Quality: In addition to color, use borders, symbols, animations .
Test with simulators and contrast control (also for protan, where red may appear “darker”).
Saveable options for profiles/users.
Clear documentation in the menu: “what changes” and preview.
Conclusion: the best solution is (almost always) hybrid
Filters are useful, especially those integrated into consoles and operating systems, but true accessibility comes when a game:
does not “hide” information in the color,
offers sensible and adjustable presets,
and allows customization of HUD and indicators.
In other words: less global filtering, more robust design . This is how you really support protan/deutan/tritan… and even the rare cases where color is a channel too fragile to support itself.
Have you found a game with great (or terrible) colorblind options?
Tell us in the comments or email us: accessibility improves when people talk about it.