Many Cats: a global accessibility powerhouse for the games industry

Teesside graduate Chris Goodyear is the founder of Many Cats - a disabled-led accessibility firm reshaping representation in gaming.

Many Cats is a disabled-led accessibility services provider for the games industry, recruiting remote workers from around the world and tackling underrepresentation and inaccessibility across the sector.

Chris, a creative digital media graduate, is also hard of hearing and founded Many Cats as he felt it was essential to create a space where others with disabilities could thrive and contribute their expertise. His personal experience made him acutely aware of the industry's accessibility gaps, and the stark underrepresentation of disabled individuals in the games industry.

While balancing traditional employment with his work at Many Cats, Chris gained valuable development experience and built key industry connections. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted Many Cats’ unique value proposition and market potential; and caught the attention of major AAA publishers, securing contracts to build a ‘unique disabled team’.

Teesside University’s FUEL and Launchpad start-up initiatives helped Chris gain knowledge, skills, and connections and crucially secure early funding. He said, ‘I have no formal business background, and these initiatives were a crucial part of Many Cats’ growth, serving as an incubator for ideas and development.’

Many Cats has brought diverse panels to major industry events like EGX, Animex, the Games Accessibility Conference, and Develop. The team has built an online community, launched a podcast, and established itself as a trusted resource of disabled accessibility experts. They’ve led major initiatives in sourcing, vetting, and placing disabled subject matter experts within game studios. Many Cats has also partnered with studios such as Modern Wolf, Rocksteady, and Studio Gobo, as well as major charities like Scope.

Chris said, ‘My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to clearly understand what you want to achieve, but it’s important to be comfortable with delayed success, as ventures often take time and involve learning from mistakes. Encountering failure early can create valuable opportunities to pivot and adapt.’

Looking ahead, Chris aims to expand opportunities for disabled individuals, creating pathways into accessibility roles and the games industry, and building a legacy of inclusion and representation.

---