iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Oh hey, looks like I got invited to the Twitch Women's Guild! Lovely surprise to get during stream tonight!!!

Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I know I'm pretty late to the party on finishing it, but Cairn by @thegamebakers.com is going to be in serious consideration for my Game of the Year. Absolutely superb story which could not be told in a non interactive medium with the same impact.

The top of a mountain reaches up toward the stars, covered in snow. A tiny human figure can be seen trecking across it.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I genuinely believe the Toad Licking Hallucination in Cairn would make a great basis for a high contrast accessibility mode @thegamebakers.com

All edges in the rock climbing gane become highlighted in rainbow colours.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A HUGE thank you to @thewarllama.bsky.social for their help in aquiring a legitimate Shiny Genesect... Or as close to legitimate as is possible without a time machine. It'll be quite the story to eventually tell.

A humanoid robot with insectoid head and limbs, and a large canon on its back, in red rather than the standard purple.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I'm a finalist for the Women in Games Awards 2026. I'm nominated for Comms Impact for Access-Ability! Congrats to my fellow finalists for this year!

Comms impact finalists: Bee Sarafian, Danielle Amos, Charlotte Reynoldson, Laura Kate Dale.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Some accessibility highlights: Auto Parry and Dodge options. High Contrast Mode. Hint Frequency. Invincible Mode. Aim Assist. No QTEs. Turn holds to toggles. Steady Camera. Camera Assistance. There's a bunch more in there, but many of these are a noticable step forward for the series.

One of the lead characters is a woman highlighted blue. Puzzle elements on the floor are yellow. An interactable on a plinth is green.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I can confirm that I have recieved review code for Marvel's Wolverine on PS5. Review embargo lifts September 10th at 4pm UK. I'll have an accessibility focused video and written article going live at that time.

Title screen text reads Marvel Wolverine, Press X to continue. The background is a forest environment.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Off to a very promising start, got a Shiny Gorebyss this morning, and Shiny Kartana in fewer than 50 soft resets during PQ recording. 29 to go...

A pokemon made of paper, folded into a humanoid shape. It's formerly yellow sections are now all white.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

If you've ever traded me a Shiny Pokémon, I can say with relative certainty it's still in my collection. This Vulpix was traded to me 8 years ago, and used to beat the Vulpix Master in LPVG.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Yep, still in my collection, only one of 2 I own. I trained it to level 100 because I wanted to beat all the LPVG expert trainers with a shiny of their species, so this was the one I used to beat the Vulpix Expert.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

For reference, this is the full list of Pokémon I don't yet have shiny in my collection, of which I believe 21 are Shiny Locked if I've done my maths correctly, and 31 are still attainable before Bank closes.

Tailow, Swellow, Lileep, Anorith, Gorebyss, Relicanth, Groudon, Heatran, Phione, Victini, Lilipup, Herdier, Darumaka, Tirtouga, Archen, Archeops, Bouffalant, Thunderus, Zekrom, Genesect, Diance, Hoopa, Volcanion, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Pheramosa, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Necrozma, Magerna, Marshadow, Kubfu, Urshifu, Zarude, Glastrier, Spectrier, Calyrex, Walking Wake, Iron Leaves, OkiDogi, MunkiDorim Fezendipidi, Ogerpon, Gouging Fire, Raging Bolt, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown, Terapagos, Pecharunt, Gigantimax Melmetal, Gigantimax Urshifu.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Anyone know how to use water gun to get rid of the dirt patches underwater in the new Bubbly Basin area in Pokopia?

Floating dirt patches covered in bubbles.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Can't currently log into the Marvel Tokon Beta due to network issues, BUT I did want to share that the game seems to have text to speech narration turned on by default, which is pretty rad from an accessibility perspective.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Going to be at Trans PRIDE Brighton with some friends today, having a good protest shout. Feel free to say hi if you spot me about.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

An example of audio descriptions, into playing a minigame. Nintendo, this is pretty grerat. Not perfect in execution, but a huge step forward, and not something I anticipated seeing Nintendo attempt with this game. Huge congrats!

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Oh my god, it has actual audio descriptions of the narrative visuals for the minigames, like Bits and Bops! This is a huge moment for a first party Nintendo game!

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Menus are all text to speech narrated. The "Read Aloud Settings" menu only changes the amount that's read out to the player, it doesn't allow for changing TTS voice or speed.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Wait, I need to confirm, but it looks like Rhythm Heaven Groove might be Nintendo's first game with both Text to Speech AND Audio Descriptions?!

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Press Screeners Available. If you're a member of the games press who would like to recieve the Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2026 early under embargo to prepare coverage, reach out at LauraKBuzzOfficial@Gmail.com

Access-Ability summer Showcase sponsored by Many Cats Studios and TechRaptor.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Are you a gaming content creator who would like to post a reaction to the Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2026? I fully support reaction streams, and can supply art assets! Additionally, I can send an early screener if you'd like to pre-record your reaction content. LauraKBuzzOfficial@Gmail.com

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

If you're a channel that live broadcasts (no live commentary) gaming trailer showcases and would be interested in broadcasting the AA Summer Showcase 2026 live, please reach out. LauraKBuzzOfficial@Gmail.com

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

The Access-Ability Summer Showcase 2026 airs June 5th at 4pm UK, 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific. LauraKBuzz on YouTube and Twitch. 52 minutes of accessibility focused game trailers. Headline sponsors - @manycatsstudios.bsky.social and @techraptor.net.

Access-Ability Summer Showcase. Sponsored by Many Cats Studios and TechRaptor. An accessibility stick figure in a circle. The ends trail off and become controller cables to a standard video game controller, and a modular controller inspired by the Xbox Adaptive Controller silhouette.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

She's still a little nervous post move, but we've got a new kitty cat moved in with us.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Oh hey, look what arrived today! Thanks @valvesoftware.com for the review unit. Accessibility focused Unboxing and Review will be live in the next couple of days.

The Steam Controller outer box. Plain brown cardboard, with a black ink image of the controller front face.

The opened box. The controller and sireless magnetic puck are initially visible.

The wireless magnetic puck, with a USB-C cable plugged into it.

The back of the controller, with four back buttons, and the magnettic puck connected to the top to charge.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

I took time during the hands on to make note of the settings options available in the upcoming game, which are a noticable step forward compared to the options seen in Hitman.

Accessibility

The build of 007 First Light we went hands-on with recently in London was a near-final build of the game, and as such, had access to the game’s accessibility settings menus. I’m delighted to be able to share that, compared to Hitman, First Light has made really positive strides forward in accessibility for an IOI title.

In the Gameplay menu, players can toggle on “snap aim” to help with gun pointer aiming, reduce the strength of screen shake effects, which may cause motion sickness, automate agility actions (jump, vault, climb, etc.) while sprinting, and set hazards in levels to glow when the player is aiming.

In controls, players can switch between control presets or fully remap their inputs, automate camera reorientation to behind Bond, set previous button holds (such as sprint, weapon aim, Q Lens, and Interact) to toggles, and disable PS5 controller Adaptive Trigger features and rumble.

In graphics, players can reduce motion blur, radial blur, wobble distortion, film grain, and chromatic aberration - screen effects that all play roles in motion sickness mitigation. Players can also reduce the brightness of light effects and set flashbang grenades to turn the screen briefly black rather than bright white.

In Audio players can set parameters for menu narration, adjust common audio volume sliders, and tweak the dynamic range of their audio (the volume difference between the loudest and quietest sounds).

In Language players can use a slider to increase subtitle sizes, alter background opacity, set speaker names, add a subtitle direction indicator, as well as customize settings separately for narrative, ambient, and AI dialogue subtitles (this appears to mean NPC ambient dialogue, not generative AI).

Lastly, in the dedicated Accessibility menu, many of the above settings can be found collected together into one menu where applicable to accessibility, as well as finding a few unique settings not seen elsewhere, such as the ability for Quick Time Events to autocomplete.

All of these settings are really nice to see, bringing 007 First Light considerably more in line with the standards set by other modern big-budget game releases. This is a great step forward for the studio, and should, in practice, mean that a bunch of disabled players who may have struggled with Hitman can now get a chance to play First Light.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

I'm Laura Kate Dale, and I'm available for freelance work! Reach out if you're interested in Accessibility Consulting, LGBT / Disability Representation Consultation, Sensitivity Reading, Video Game Mock Review Analysis, Freelance Game Reviews, and Freelance Event Coverage (Interviews / Previews).

Laura Kate Dale. Accessibility Critic, Consultant, Speaker, Author, Mock Reviewer. Women in Games Award Journalism Impact Winner 2024. About Me: Laura Kate Dale She Her is a Disabled Game Critic abnd Accessibility Educator in the UK. She has a Decade of experience ranging from writing freelance game reviews for Polygon, to working as a news editor, performing mock reviews for major publishers, and consulting on representation and accessibility for AAA games. Available for Solo Speaker / Panelist, Game Accessibility Reviews, LGBT Representation Consultation, Accessibility Consultation, Mock Reviews, Freelance Event Reporter. Noteworthy Projects: Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Access-Ability Summer Showcase, GA Conf Awards winner, Ctrl Alt Access. Mock Review Clients include EA, Xbox, Hexworks, 2K. LauraKBuzzOfficial@Gmail.com

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Happy to confirm I've been sent a review copy of Saros ahead of release, and am preparing an accessibility review / Access-Ability episode. Embargo for reviews is Friday April 24 @ 8:00 AM BST (London). Expect my review live when embargo lifts.

the PS5 home screen, showing Saros as the most recently played game. A man with a gun stands in front of an eclipse, and a monster with many arms.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Made it to Master Ball Rank in Pokemon Champions with a trick room team i made myself, that I've not seen anyone else replicate. I know there's the climb to Champion Rank to go, but this is by far the best I've ever done at competitive doubles Pokemon.

3 Win Streak, LauraKBuzz, Master Ball Rank 4.

Team ID 3LK1J1BXSY. STURDY quick Claw Archaludon, Drought Charcoal Torkoal, Telepathy Mega Gardevoir, Armour Tail Colbur Berry Farigiraf, Adaptability Leftovers Basculegion, and Zero to Hero Sitrus Berry Palafin.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Releasing tomorrow, Fishbowl @imissmyfriends.bsky.social is a narrative game about dreams, grief, and hope. I am credited as Accessibility Consultant on the game! Absolutely love this game, and can't wait for people to check it out.

Four voice chat screens. Top left has glasses and purple hair. Top right has a cat ear red hat. Bottom left has dark hair and vilitigo. Bottom right has short grey hair.

Laura Kate Dale - Accessibility Consultant

Events list includes Access-Ability Summer Showcase.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Looking forward to playing a little early Pokopia!

The front cover of boxed Switch 2 Pokemon Pokopia.

The back cover, illustrated with lots of human Ditto illustrations.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

... HUD Drift toggle, colourblind filters with stregth slider. Aim assist has LOTS of options for correction, tracking, pull, and friction customisation. No in game button remapping.

Another screenshot of High on Life 2 accessibility settings. Options described in post text.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

High on Life 2 Accessibility Settings. Multiple difficulty modes. Enemy and Gun chatter frequency can be lowered or disabled. motion blur and chromatic abberation toggles. Gamma and FOV sliders (first person only). Speaker Indicators, Subtitles, text size increase camera motion reduction...

A screenshot of the High on Life 2 accessibility menu page 1. Included settings are described in post text.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Okay, one tiny early peak at "Laura plays Train Sim on a Train" :P

A Rog Ally on the left playing Train Sim. On the right Laura uses a train controller. The window shows the train Laura rides on is moving.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

For those curious about handheld performance, here's Switch 2 FF7 gameplay in handheld mode, recorded using the capture button.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Examples of grind reducing options in the menu.

Constant max HP and MP, Limit gague always full, ATB guage always full, constant max damage, 2x exp, 3x AP, easy weapon ability aquisition, constant max gil, constant max recovery items, max materia levels.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Cutscenes can be played at 1.5 or 2x speed by holding down the right trigger button.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Switch 2 demo for FF7 is out now, and it's looking and feeling pretty great in practice. Also, will show examples in thread, but there's some very nice time saver for replay / accessibility features.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

The glamorous life of an author post publisher bankruptcy. I still have another stack this high on the way lol Could 100% fill up multiple bookcases solo at this moment.

14 large cardboard boxes, 2 stacks of 7, full of books.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Gosh, Prime 4 looks so nice, both handheld and on a 4K TV.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Sorry left-handed gamers, Metroid Prime 4 only supports mouse pointer mode via the right Joy-Con.

Dual Stick Fusion and Pointer Fusion control schemes both directly reference using the Right Joy-Con for mouse pointer control.

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Laura Kate Dale - LauraKBuzz @laurakbuzz.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Obviously it's a very basic rough mockup, but even a game like The Last of Us: Part 2 with its ridiculous number of accessibility settings and features could advertise all of their accessibility tags on the box of the box, with room remaining for marketting images and text.

A Last of Us 2 PS5 box mockup, with an accessibility features section on the centre left of the lack of the box, advertising Accessibility Features Clear text, Large text, Colour Alternatives, High Contrast Visuals, Visual Comfort, Audio Cue Alternatives, Directional Audio Indicators, Volume Controls, Mono Audio, 3D Audio, Screen Reader, Visual Cue Alternatives, Clear and Large Subtitles, Controller Remapping, Stick Sensitivity / Inversion, Playable Without Rapid Button Presses, Playable Without Simultanious Presses, Playable without Touch / Motion Controls, Playable Without Controler Vibration, Adjustable Difficulty, Skippable Puzzles, Game Speed, Control Reminders, Tutorial Reminders, Game Pausing.

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