Kakao Games is now calling for applicants for its 2026 'Play Buddy Together' initiative, a project dedicated to improving gaming accessibility for players with disabilities.

The company is accepting applications until May 22 from individuals with physical or brain-lesion disabilities, with a total of 35 participants to be selected. Notably, the program, which was previously confined to the capital region, is going nationwide this year.

Candidates who pass the initial document screening will undergo assessments from assistive technology experts and evaluations on how they utilize these gaming tools to reach the final selection. You can find all the necessary application forms on the websites of the Gyeonggi Assistive Technology Research Center and the Beautiful Foundation.

The assistive gear provided through this project is quite comprehensive, including: ▲Special keyboards (one-handed, macro, enlarged keys) ▲Special mice (head-operated, eye-tracking, one-handed, QuadStick) ▲Game controllers and input devices (Arcade sticks, Proteus/G-pad controllers, audio radars, etc.) ▲Switches and accessories (handle-style joysticks, button-style arcade sticks, one-handed controllers, etc.) ▲Posture-related aids (height-adjustable desks, wheelchair desks) ▲Console-compatible devices (Flex, MS, Xbox controllers, Sony Access, etc.). If any extra modifications are required, expert support is available via the National Rehabilitation Center’s 'Assistive Device Open Platform'.

A spokesperson for Kakao Games remarked, "Drawing on three years of operational experience, we've expanded this into a nationwide program so more users can enjoy the thrill of gaming," adding, "We intend to keep collaborating with various institutions to bridge the accessibility gap between disabled and non-disabled gamers."

Kakao Games' 'Play Buddy Together' has been running as a CSR project since 2023 to support gaming accessibility. It operates in partnership with the Beautiful Foundation, the National Rehabilitation Center, and the Gyeonggi Assistive Technology Research Center. Over the past three years, they have provided 611 pieces of assistive gaming equipment to 97 individuals.