Cyberpunk 2077 Includes Visual Effects Designed To Trigger Epileptic Seizure

Macthorpe writes: Game Informer journalist Liana Ruppert has recounted her experiences with “braindances” (abbreviated as “BD’s) in Cyberpunk 2077 that led to her experiencing a grand mal epileptic seizure. From her article and PSA: “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.” Cyberpunk 2077 does not include a standard boilerplate epilepsy warning on launch, and instead places this in the games EULA. Regardless, one wonders why a game of this nature needs to simulate an IPS diagnostic device this accurately when the average player won’t know the difference, and when it will cause severe harm to some players without warning? UPDATE: Developer CD Projekt Red has responded with its plans on addressing the concerns. In a tweet, CDPR wrote that it’s “working on adding a separate warning in the game.” The development team is also looking into a permanent solution it will implement “as soon as possible.” Hopefully, that will include a way to turn off strobing effects.