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The Hidden Barriers in Game UI – and How to Spot Them

Most educational game developers know the basics of accessibility: add alt text, check contrast ratios, and support keyboard input. But beyond those essentials, there’s a second layer of UI design decisions – subtle, structural, and often invisible to those without firsthand experience of disability. These “hidden barriers” aren’t flashy. They’re baked into everyday assumptions about…

// Brandon Pittser

The Limits of Automated Accessibility Testing in Games

For many digital products, automated accessibility tools like axe, Lighthouse, or WAVE can catch common issues such as poor color contrast, missing alt text, or improper focus order. These tools serve an important role in a complete accessibility pipeline. They work well for documents, websites, and apps that follow structured layouts and predictable user flows.…

// Brandon Pittser

Accessibility Terms for Game Developers: A WCAG 2.1 AA Glossary

Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA standards is a requirement for many game-based learning tools used in schools or public agencies, and compliance is a complex process. Even experienced developers and designers might come across terms like programmatic labeling or pointer cancellation without being clear on what they actually require. Fortunately, we’re here to help! This glossary…

// Brandon Pittser

Building Accessible Educational Games: Lessons from the Front Lines

With new WCAG 2.1 AA deadlines approaching in 2026 and 2027, education publishers face a critical challenge: how to make complex interactive learning tools accessible without sacrificing their pedagogical power. Filament Games has been on the front lines of this effort, partnering with top publishers and organizations to retrofit and reimagine digital games that serve…

// Brandon Pittser

Game-based Learning and Accessibility

Designing for accessibility means recognizing that barriers are built, not inherent. In digital learning spaces, the shape of those barriers often comes down to interface decisions, input assumptions, and who gets considered a default user. Recent shifts in the games industry suggest a broader awareness of this responsibility. From open-source sign language datasets to systemic…

// Brandon Pittser

Game Creation Tools and Opportunities for Students

As part of this month’s exploration of innovative educational technologies and how they impact game-based learning, we’re diving into the tools that enable students to create their own games. These platforms and initiatives don’t just teach technical skills—they empower students to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate, all through the creative process of game design.…

// Brandon Pittser

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving in Scholastic Esports

As the world of scholastic esports evolves, its most compelling development is how it sharpens students’ problem-solving abilities while opening doors to real-world opportunities. Schools are discovering that competitive gaming does more than engage students—it develops critical thinking, technical skills, and strategic decision-making that employers increasingly value. From Game to Career: Esports as a CTE…

// Brandon Pittser
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