Indie games
Practical tips for designing a minimal but effective options menu that prioritizes accessibility features.
A concise guide to crafting an options menu that stays streamlined while embedding essential accessibility controls, from color contrast and text size to input remapping and audio cues for diverse players.
July 22, 2025 - 3 min Read
In many indie titles, the options menu serves as a doorway to player comfort and inclusive play. A minimal design should still invite exploration, not frustrate with clutter. Start by establishing a core set of accessibility targets—legible typography, adjustable contrast, scalable UI, and responsive input mapping. Foreground these priorities in the first screen so players immediately recognize options exist. Use clear, action-oriented labels and keep navigation predictable. The layout must remain readable across resolutions, and the control scheme should be legible in motion. This foundation anchors every subsequent setting, making it easier to expand without compromising clarity or speed.
When constructing the menu flow, adopt a linear, forgiving path rather than a labyrinth. Group related features into tight categories such as Display, Audio, Interaction, and Accessibility. Each category should present only essential options first, with an expandable “Advanced” cluster for power users. Inline tooltips can convey impact without forcing long descriptions. Provide keyboard and controller navigation parity, so players can move with equal ease. Avoid duplicative toggles by combining related states into single sliders or presets. This approach minimizes cognitive load, allowing players to tailor their experience quickly while preserving familiar, repeatable patterns throughout the menu.
Build navigable structure with predictable, efficient paths.
Clarity begins with typography choices that respect color and contrast constraints. Use a single, readable font size suite and avoid decorative fonts that impede comprehension. Implement high-contrast modes by default, and permit dynamic text resizing without breaking layout. Prefer descriptive names for options over abbreviated codes; ensure that toggles reflect real outcomes, such as “Increase UI size” rather than “UI+.” Where possible, present prebuilt presets that cover common accessibility needs—Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and Motion Reduced—so players can opt into a complete profile in one action. The goal is predictable, inclusive experiences from the first interaction.
Color and contrast considerations demand careful testing across environments. Offer a dedicated Contrast mode that guarantees legibility by preserving sufficient luminance differences between text and backgrounds. Accommodate color-blind users with reliable indicators beyond color-coding, such as textual labels or distinct icons. Provide a per-element contrast toolkit so players can verify headline-and-menu contrasts in real time. Maintain consistent spacing to avoid crowding, and ensure that focus rings or outlines remain visible during navigation. Accessibility is reinforced when users can perceive options without guesswork, reducing fatigue and error during extended play sessions.
Use consistent conventions that reduce cognitive load and frustration.
The input system deserves particular attention for accessibility. Allow remapping for keyboard, controller, and any supported peripherals, but present a sensible default layout to minimize friction for newcomers. Include a per-button sensitivity option for analog inputs and a deadzone setting when relevant, so precision feels controllable no matter the device. Offer a configurable input-hold or press-to-activate option to accommodate players with mobility differences. Ensure that remapping saves instantly and that there is an easy way to reset to defaults. Finally, document the impact of changes with lightweight, on-screen hints that vanish after a moment to maintain cleanliness.
Audio accessibility should be integrated into the main menu rather than treated as a niche feature. Provide adjustable master volume with independent channels and a clear indication of what each control affects. Implement subtitles or captions with phoneme or speaker notes when dialogue is present, and allow customization of font, size, and background contrast. Visualize audio cues with accessible icons and optional shapes to convey timing and priority, especially for players with hearing impairments. Consider a basic audio meta preset that highlights essential cues for stealth or action moments, ensuring critical information remains perceivable even at reduced volumes.
Offer progressive disclosure that respects both new and veteran players.
Accessibility is reinforced when the options menu mirrors the game’s design language. Maintain a unified color theme, iconography, and terminology that players learn quickly. A consistent navigation scheme—left-right scrolling, single-button confirmation, and a universal back action—helps reduce errors. Introduce a lightweight, persistent indication of current settings so players know what is active without re-entering sections. Avoid nested menus that require excessive backtracking; instead, offer a clear breadcrumb or progress indicator. A well-structured menu communicates respect for the player’s time and reduces the barrier to exploring features that improve comfort and performance.
Subtle motion considerations matter beyond the main options. Allow players to minimize or fully disable screen shake, parallax layers, or camera jitters that can trigger discomfort. Provide a motion-readiness check during onboarding or early access, so players can fine-tune from the start. If the game uses dynamic effects, ensure they can be paused or slowed without negative consequences to gameplay. Document the effect of motion-related toggles in the settings with a brief, nontechnical explanation. This proactive stance helps players feel in control of the experience from moment one.
Conclude with practical, player-centered safeguards and tests.
Progressive disclosure is a powerful technique for maintaining minimality while offering depth. Start with a clean, pared-down menu showing only the most impactful options, and reveal advanced controls through a clearly labeled toggle such as “Show advanced settings.” This approach reduces overwhelm for newcomers and still serves veterans seeking precise customization. Each revealed option should come with a concise rationale indicating its impact on comfort or performance. Avoid overwhelming choices by clustering related controls into logical submenus. The design should encourage exploration while always preserving a straight, fatigue-free path back to the main screen.
Visual hierarchy is essential for quick recognition under stress. Use a top-aligned, prominent header with a compact description of the current section. Apply consistent margins and line heights that keep text legible on small screens. Provide a responsive layout that shifts gracefully from portrait to landscape modes, maintaining readability and interaction simplicity. Include keyboard-friendly shortcuts for common actions like “back” or “save,” so experienced players can navigate without excessive clicks. Finally, ensure that saving changes does not disrupt gameplay by returning to a non-intrusive confirmation state.
Real-world playtesting is the best editor for accessibility choices. Involve players with diverse needs early, gathering feedback on readability, navigation, and the usefulness of presets. Use iterative updates to refine wording, spacing, and control mappings, and keep a changelog that highlights accessibility improvements. Document measurable outcomes, such as improvements in task completion time or reduced error rates, to guide future work. A transparent process demonstrates commitment and invites broader participation. Build a culture of continuous improvement by scheduling regular reviews of the options menu and ensuring that accessibility considerations remain a first-class priority in development cycles.
Finally, communicate inclusivity as an ongoing practice rather than a single feature set. Publish guidelines for future UI decisions and maintain an open channel for community input. When introducing new options in patches or expansions, summarize how they enhance accessibility and invite user testing. Consider region-specific accessibility needs and language support to broaden usefulness. The minimal design should still reflect a generous, universal approach that respects different play styles. By embedding accessibility into the product ethos, you create experiences that are welcoming, durable, and genuinely playable for a broad audience.
