Blockbuster RPG apparently isn’t safe for those who suffer from epilepsy.
Parts of CD Projekt’s upcoming Cyberpunk 2077 can trigger epileptic seizures.
That’s according to Game Informer’s Lianna Ruppert, who wrote an article about playing the game as someone who suffers from epilepsy. Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City setting apparently boasts many clubs and bars with bright lights that are “danger zones for epileptics.” Meanwhile, Johnny Silverhand – played by Keanu Reeves – is highlighted with a blue glitch effect that might trigger seizures for some with epilepsy.
The game’s Braindance feature, meanwhile, is another risky area for epileptics. This mechanic allows you to interact with memories and to use this, your character has to put on a headset that blasts their eyes with flickering red and white LEDs.
This is much like the hardware used by medical professionals to intentionally trigger seizures.
“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,” Ruppert wrote.
“If not modelled 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.”
TL;DR – If you have issues with epilepsy, you might want to proceed with caution or make sure somebody is around when playing Cyberpunk 2077. We’ve emailed CD Projekt to see if they’re doing anything to address the problem.
CD Projekt’s sci-fi RPG is set to launch on December 10 following a number of delays. Reviews for Cyberpunk 2077 went live yesterday, Monday December 7, with critics broadly giving the title a warm reception.
“In the midst of such intense anticipation and scrutiny, it’s easy to get carried away with what Cyberpunk 2077 could have been,” VG247 said in our 5/5 review.
“The final experience might be more familiar than many predicted, with plenty of elements that aren’t perfect, but it’s dripping with detail and engaging stories. With so much to see and do, Cyberpunk 2077 is the kind of RPG where you blink and hours go by, which is just what we need to finish off 2020.”
In order to finish the title, developers have had to work long hours. This came in the wake of CD Projekt saying that the studio wouldn’t have “mandatory” crunch to complete the title, before saying in January of this year that staff would have to work longer hours.
In September, the developer mandated six-day workweeks to finish the game, with studio head Adam Badowski saying that staff would be compensated for their extra work. Speaking to investors, joint CEO Adam Kicinski said crunch on the title was “not that bad.” He apologised for his remarks the following day.
