SXSW 2025: 'Territory' Transforms Accessibility in Virtual Reality Through Aesthetic Access.
Access is led by artists.
At the SXSW 2025 event, the panel "Aesthetic Access for VR: Centering the Creativity of Disabled People" was presented, featuring Territory, an innovative virtual reality experience that demonstrates that accessibility goes beyond being a mere additive; it becomes a form of art. Developed by Kinetic Light and Double Eye Studios, Territory is established as the first fully "aesthetically accessible" virtual reality experience.
Unlike other virtual reality programs that add accessibility features such as subtitles and audio descriptions to an existing product, the creators of Territory incorporated these elements from the very beginning of the creative process. According to Laurel Lawson from Kinetic Light, "access is no longer an adaptation that makes an experience accessible to disabled audiences. Instead, access is the very provision of art itself."
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Territory narrates its story through aerial dance, haptic feedback, and spatialized sound. Viewers assume the role of "witnesses," experiencing the impact of barbed wire both physically and metaphorically. The experience utilizes custom haptic motifs, allowing vibrations to convey movement and emotion, which is groundbreaking for users with visual impairments.
Even the subtitles are reinvented; instead of static text, Territory's subtitles move dynamically, following the characters and poetically reinterpreting the music and sound effects. Kiira Benz, executive creative director of Double Eye, highlighted that "most of the subtitle systems we tested couldn't reach the level of detail we desired, so we had to build something from scratch."
While accessibility in virtual reality continues to evolve, Territory sets a new standard where access is not limited to inclusion but drives innovation. By integrating accessibility as an artistic choice, Kinetic Light and Double Eye Studios invite creators to reconsider how truly immersive virtual reality can be for everyone. Lawson emphasized that "access is not a step back," and it must be part of the design from the outset, as considering accessibility in the creative process enriches artistic practice.
