The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is now available and while it has been reviewed well, non-gameplay issues surrounding the game have led to some controversy. One such issue is the lack of subtitles during any of the trilogy's cinematics, a rarity in modern gaming given the increased awareness of accessibility concerns.

Given the popularity of the Crash Bandicoot N-Sane Trilogy and its even more egregious lack of subtitles, a frustrating trend is growing. It's understandable then that a community of deaf and sympathetic players is beginning to ask publishers like Activision what's going on.

In the face of growing concern among the Spyro Reignited player-base, Activision put together a response with regards to the lack subtitles throughout the game. And while the response isn't entirely dismissive, it's unlikely to please those hoping for changes to be made:

"When Toys For Bob set out to make an awesome game collection, there were certain decisions that needed to be made throughout the process. The team remained committed to keep the integrity and legacy of Spyro that fans remembered intact. The game was built from the ground up using a new engine for the team (Unreal 4), and was localized in languages that had not previously been attempted by the studio. While there’s no industry standard for subtitles, the studio and Activision care about the fans’ experience especially with respect to accessibility for people with different abilities, and will evaluate going forward."

In effect, Activision is confirming that not including subtitles in Spyro's cutscenes was a conscious decision by the publisher and developer. No specific reasons were cited for the decision, though the lack of an "industry standard" for subtitles seems like it played some role.

Accessibility continues to be a growing focus within the greater gaming industry. Microsoft recently made a major decision to release the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a device built specifically for customization in order to enable it to be used by as many as possible. They've also launched a major accessibility public awareness campaign and services including American Sign Language support in billing services, Game Transcription starting with Halo Wars 2, and many more.

But the lack of subtitles in game releases from major publishers, such as the Spyro Reignited Trilogy and the Crash Bandicoot N-Sane Trilogy, show that there's still a long way to go. Activision acknowledging the issue and at least being willing to "evaluate" the situation going forward is a step. It may be a small step, but it's still a step.

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is available now on PS4 and Xbox One.

Source: Gamepitt