Helldivers 2 CEO Responds to Able Gamers’ Steven Spohn Regarding Blocked Accessibility Software

Steven Spohn, the Chief Operating Officer of Able Gamers, a nonprofit organization, shared a negative experience on his Twitter account yesterday regarding the popular new multiplayer game and its accessibility features.

The development team behind Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Game Studios, has been dedicated to the game since its early stages. They have been actively addressing server issues and taking in player feedback. The team has set a high standard for a game studio with a positive work culture and a strong focus on incorporating player input. When Spohn raised concerns on social media about being unable to play the game due to an unusual blockage of his accessibility software, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt responded attentively.

Steven Spohn openly discusses his condition, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, in a blog post on Abilities. This disease gradually diminishes the ability to use muscles and worsens over time. To aid with gaming, Spohn now relies on various assistive devices such as a dictation program and an “infrared hat”that allow him to use dictation and head movements to control his PC.

For unknown reasons, Helldivers 2 blocks both programs that are associated with these tools, leaving Spohn with no way to currently play the game.

Fortunately, assistance appears to be coming. In response to the issue, Johan Pilestedt, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, stated on Twitter that he would investigate. Subsequently, the two began exchanging direct messages to facilitate better communication of the programs Spohn utilizes to the team, in an effort to resolve the root cause of their obstruction.

Able Gamers, founded by Spohn, employs a similar approach on a larger scale by conducting engineering research, providing peer counseling, and collaborating with the industry. This ensures that individuals with disabilities are able to enjoy their favorite games. Effecting change requires more than just one person’s efforts; it also necessitates teams like Arrowhead to actively listen and implement necessary changes to enable all players to participate.