Cyberpunk 2077 is reported to contain flashing lights and images that could potentially cause epileptic seizures in players. CD Projekt Red is working on a permanent fix to the game’s issues and will be implementing epilepsy warnings, in response to a journalist who blew the whistle on potential photosensitive triggers.
CD Projekt Red has announced that it will be implementing epilepsy warnings in Cyberpunk 2077. The developer took to Twitter to let us all know that they are looking into a more permanent solution as soon as possible.
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://t.co/eXpPn73VSK). Regarding a more permanent solution, Dev team is currently exploring that and will be implementing it as soon as possible. https://t.co/lXFypnSit2
— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) December 8, 2020
The potentially harmful epileptic triggers were discovered by Game Informer’s Liana Ruppert, who detailed her experiences after a bad seizure she had whilst playing the game. The scene in question is a highly stylized dance sequence in Cyberpunk 2077, but the game apparently has “general triggers” that may prove problematic.
These triggers include the titles’ sci-fi interface, and several sequences involving Keanu Reeves’ character Johnny Silverhand. What’s especially wild, and quite worrying for epileptic players, is that the scene that caused Ruppert’s seizures is similar to devices used by neurologists to trigger seizures for diagnosis.
Even more baffling, is the response of a small subsection of ill-willed gamers, who have begun sending the Associate Editor deliberately flashing videos designed specifically to induce epileptic seizures. Ruppert has since taken to Twitter, telling readers that if any fans have shared her article, and suffer from epilepsy, they should refrain from viewing unknown videos sent to them.
Warning: I've been sent hundreds of videos disguised as support that are deliberate flashing to induce photosensitive triggers. If you're sharing this saying you're epileptic and receive a video, don't press play. I'm back to being on my ass. Be better, please.
— Liana Ruppert (@DirtyEffinHippy) December 8, 2020
Whilst Cyberpunk 2077 already includes a seizure warning hidden deep in the game’s end-user license agreement, CD Projekt Red endeavors to place the following disclosure prominently in the game. This is to provide a warning to epileptic fans who may not want to wade their way through the 6000-plus-word legal document.
“Cyberpunk 2077 may contain flashing lights and images, which may induce epileptic seizures. If you or anyone in your household has an epileptic condition, please consult your doctor before playing Cyberpunk 2077. If you experience dizziness, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions while playing, immediately discontinue use and consult your doctor.”
The incident calls into question whether games should include more warnings for players who may suffer adverse effects from gameplay. This includes not just epileptic issues, but also a variety of health concerns faced by gamers.
Other questions involve whether game developers have a responsibility to not include potentially harmful content in games, or whether there should be options for epileptic players to skip scenes that could cause epileptic seizures.
Cyberpunk 2077 will be out in two days, and it is unclear whether either the epilepsy warning or the permanent fix will be available on launch. Thus, we recommend: stay safe, and up to date on the latest if you have epilepsy but are still keen to play Cyberpunk 2077!
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