CD Projekt Red responded to ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ having seizure-inducing frames. The studio is looking for solutions before the December 10 release.
With the game out in the wild for reviewers, Cyberpunk 2077 is having some issues. The game has a few sequences that induce seizures among people with epilepsy. The event is prompting CD Projekt Red to make more last-minute changes to stop the issue.
In-game memory interface tool induces grand mal
CP2077 is the most-awaited game of 2020, and fans are ready for its release this December 10.
Even then, some users with early review copies are experiencing seizures. According to reports, this comes from a specific sequence in the game.
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 Braindance tool, which is a way to interface with people’s memories, uses a sequence of lights. The blinking red and white lights are similar to a process that doctors use to trigger and diagnose epilepsy.
According to the report, players can experience Grand Mal seizures as they play on. Grand mal seizures are a form of epilepsy characterized by a two-phase tonic-clonic seizure.
Now, CDPR is addressing the issue. They’re adding warning signs before playing the game and are looking to see more permanent solutions with their devs.
“Thank you for bringing this up,” said the tweet, quoting the article from Game Informer. “We’re working on adding a separate warning in the game, aside from the one that exists in the EULA. Regarding a more permanent solution, Dev team is currently exploring that and will be implementing it as soon as possible.”
Video game-induced seizures are real
Video games are among the few known media that can induce epileptic seizures. Any form of visual media entertainment like TV and movies can do so too.
Several studies pointing to the above-mentioned light sequence can be a cause for concern.
In 1997, the episode Electric Soldier Porygon of the Pokémon anime caused epileptic seizures among Japanese children.
As many as 12,000 children reported mild symptoms. As many as 685 viewers went to hospitals for adverse effects.
Since then, many games, movies, and tv shows add epilepsy warnings in front of their titles. CD Projekt Red is doing the same for Cyberpunk 2077.
CDPR is adding a new seizure warning before playing the game. The details already exist in their EULA, but it’s buried as deep as 3.2 on their terms and conditions.
So far, it seems CD Projekt Red is on top of the issue and will work out the details soon.
Featured image courtesy of Cyberpunk 2077/YouTube Screenshot