Update: CD Projekt Red has responded to this report with the following statement:
"Thank you for bringing this up. We’re working on adding a separate warning in the game, aside from the one that exists in the EULA (https://cyberpunk.net/en/user-agreement/…). Regarding a more permanent solution, Dev team is currently exploring that and will be implementing it as soon as possible."
Original story: Following reviews dropping for the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077, a report has cropped up suggesting that specific parts of CD Projekt Red's latest game is capable of inducing epileptic seizures in some players.
A report from Game Informer says that Cyberpunk 2077 has triggered "one major seizure" and several close calls for its associate editor, Liana Ruppert. According to the GI article, there are several elements throughout the tech-focused game which may be problematic for players who are photosensitive, with "red glitching animations" and "a flickering pale blue glitch effect" highlighted as particular recurring triggers to be aware of.
However, the main culprit seems to be linked to the Braindance mechanic. Within Cyberpunk 2077, multiple instances will invite the player to perform a 'Braindance', a feature which lets players interact with memories of deceased NPCs. The process involves putting on a helmet that triggers a light pattern, which is reportedly similar to one which neurologists use to diagnose epilepsy:
"When "suiting up" for a BD, especially with Judy, V will be given a headset that is meant to onset the instance. The headset fits over both eyes and features a rapid onslaught of white and red blinking LEDs, much like the actual device neurologists use in real life to trigger a seizure when they need to trigger one for diagnosis purposes. If not modeled off of the IRL design, it's a very spot-on coincidence, and because of that this is one aspect that I would personally advise you to avoid altogether. When you notice the headset come into play, look away completely or close your eyes. This is a pattern of lights designed to trigger an epileptic episode and it very much did that in my own personal playthrough."
According to Eurogamer, the UK charity Epilepsy Action has called out to CD Projekt Red in the hopes that this issue can be patched in the future. The statement reads:
""We are alarmed and saddened that a game reviewer had a seizure triggered by Cyperpunk [sic] 2077, before it was even launched. The game features rapidly blinking lights and other animations that could cause seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. These features are unsafe and should have been avoided to make the game more accessible. With huge demand and excitement building for its release, it may pose a serious risk to people with photosensitive epilepsy. The developers CD Projekt RED should consider how they can update the game to make it safer. A disclaimer warning at the beginning isn't enough."
As of yet, CD Projekt Red is yet to respond. Hopefully it's an issue that can be rectified pretty sharpish, to avoid any further potential issues and make what is one of the year's biggest video game releases — perhaps the biggest release — accessible to absolutely everyone who wants to experience and enjoy it.
How do you feel about these issues regarding Cyberpunk 2077? Let us know in the comments below.
[source gameinformer.com]
Comments 13
'Cyberpunk 2077 Reportedly Features Visuals Capable Of Triggering Epileptic Seizures'
Well, anyone who saw the leaked Xbox One S footage surely suffered a seizure.
The last thing we need now is for companies to call for boycotting video games because of HEALTH CONCERNS. And we all know how twitter can be!
Hopefully they patch this out soon because in all honesty if it could cause harm as stated, why put it in the game?
Surely there are already warnings about this sort of thing on entertainment that involves a lot of flashing lights?
I'm posting this from Eurogamer user shadowsblaze as I thought it was informative and immediately changed my viewpoint.
It's all well and good having an accessibility option, but this is only useful if the individual knows that they suffer from seizures.
Not everyone is aware as to whether they are photosensitive which could mean people who have never had a seizure in their life could end up having their first seizure playing this game.
A prime example of what can happen was reported years ago with an episode of Pokemon, where (700) Japanese viewers started to get seizures even though they never suffered previously due to the rapidly flashing colours. The episode had to be changed as a result.
Additionally if you have a seizure, even if it hasn't been critical to your health, it can have other impacts on your life e.g. you have to report the seizure and in some countries your drivers license will be suspended as a result.
In short - This needs to be changed. Artistic integrity isn't more important imho
@themightyant Sounds just like the adversarial attacks of neural networks.
@Dezzy Not on the PC version, at the least. Even so, the game is simulating a tool literally used to cause seizures to do research, they should know this was a bad idea and have an option to turn it off, which they do not. It's irresponsible. And not everyone knows they are susceptible to these things, as a lot of people begin having seizures during puberty.
Yeah that's pretty concerning tbf
"I've been playing the game. 5 hours in. Haven't experienced a single bug/glitch/seizure." -someone
That's horrible
To be fair this sort of thing is far from uncommon when it comes to video games, people who are prone to seizures should always exercise a lot of caution playing video games. That said I am sure they will patch out the issue soon.
There are people who will defend this, but when it is almost identical to something to explicitly cause seizures, that's an issue. Even if it isn't accomodating people with epilepsy should be something a game should strive for, especially one with a huge budget. Gears 5 and TLOU2 did great at this and I hope CDPR takes notes.
@Vincent294 I feel like TLOU and Gears are bad games to use as a reference point as those are games with very muted and neutral color palates for the most part. Lots of grey, brown, and earth tones. Naturally a game like Cyberpunk with a focus on a neon futuristic city is going to have a lot more flashy lights and bright colors.
Games have warned about the potential to trigger seizures for decades. Movies also commonly have strobe effects, yet they don't have such warnings. People who have this problem know to watch it for. There's no simple solution for developers other to drastically change their games, removing dramatic effects that 99% of players handle okay. To change for this would be like eliminating a color for all because a few people can't see it. CDPR bears no responsibility for this.
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