Oh dear. Balan Wonderworld can't catch a break, can it? The game, helmed by Sonic the Hedgehog co-creator Yuji Naka, is a colourful 3D platformer about donning different outfits to use various abilities, but it's been widely panned in early previews. A day one patch has promised to address some of the feedback from fans and critics, but it sounds like this patch will be more important than we thought.
Over the last couple of days, a YouTube video has brought to light a serious issue with the final boss fight in the game. During the stage, a series of white flashes crop up on-screen in quick succession, which could potentially lead to epileptic seizures. According to a report by GameInformer's Liana Ruppert — who also warned of Cyberpunk 2077's flashing imagery — the flashing lights are so severe that they're even triggering responses from people who don't have epilepsy. We won't be directly sharing the video here for obvious reasons, but we've seen the clip, and it's bad.
The good news is that the developer is aware of the situation. Following concerns that this flashing effect was intentional, it appears it's actually a visual glitch, and will be fixed in the aforementioned day one patch.
This will resolve the problem for most players. It doesn't help people that play the physical disc version offline, though, as they won't be able to download and install the patch. Hopefully Square Enix will address this problem fully in due course.
So, if you're planning on playing this game, make sure you have the latest update installed to avoid any potential issues.
[source gameinformer.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 19
Do you guys plan to review this game?
I’m not planning on getting it based on the previews. But if it reviews better I might change my mind.
Unacceptable. If it can cause seizures, the product should be recalled. Not a patch just to make it safe. That's ridiculous.
@RainbowGazelle for about half a second I disagreed then I realised you are spot on, Sony really should tell them to resubmit the code patched. Day 1 patches are not a good thing anyway but this seems a step to far.
I mean, realistically they need to pre patch the downloads, but as for the disc versions, they could do with a recall but I suppose Cyberpunk didn't do such a thing.
Most games just post a warning label at the start of the game about flashing lights. I thought the seizure warning was a common thing in many games.
Yeah I saw it and it’s not great, but lots of games have similar effects and they all carry warnings. Patching it out is the way to go.
What if you cant download the patch can you return it then? Games with these risks should come with a safety warning lets hope it has otherwise it should be recalled.
Will start today with that game. My copy arrived already with Amazon.
I don't care about the hate previews.
Okay, this is a things now in games 😅
@JohnKarnes that could be the issue, as the flashing images are a glitch there maybe no such warning.
‘ the flashing lights are so severe that they're even triggering responses from people who don't have epilepsy’
Translation triggering the bandwagon! 🐑
lol What's up with crappy, unfinished games triggering seizures in people lately?
Are they taking the fecking piss? Is this meant to be a "gift" announcing this on Epilepsy Awareness Day? First CDPR with Cyberpunk and now this lot? You do NOT and I repeat do NOT put sequences in your game that can trigger seizures, it's damned irresponsible and reckless.
I'm 52 and was diagnosed with Epilepsy 2 years ago having never suffered it previously, and my main worry (after my health) was that it would affect my gaming - thankfully it hasn't, because I've managed to avoid instances like this that seem to purposely (by design) trigger seizures. Game designers need to get a grip and realise they're embedding dangerous sequences in their games before someone is seriously hurt!
@Profondo The article says it's a glitch. How is that "purposely (by design)"? Game designers aren't looking to trigger seizures for funsies...
@Deadhunter Like Cyberpunk before it these sequences include flashing sequences, and especially with Cyberpunk where the sequence resembled the patterns produced by medical devices used to intentionally trigger seizures so yes it IS by design (and a journalist suffered a Grand Mal seizure playing CP whilst reviewing the game) as it was placed into the game by the designers even if it's a glitch, they created it.
I'm not saying they're doing it for jollies but companies should be more aware of whatever the hell they're putting into games. If a child suffered a seizure they may not get off as easy as myself or said journalist.
I already FEEL like this game will be a pile of hot mess)))
and to think there were people in this community who thought this game looked "great" after seeing the reveal trailer. some people can be swayed to buy literally anything.
@Profondo I get the cyberpunk thing, but if this is a glitch, a texture flashing or something then it’s not by design. But I also believe QA should be before a game goes gold.
@TheLightSpirit I just popped in to say the same thing. I took a chance on it because of the pedigree of the developers and was really worried when I saw the hub world, but as soon as I entered the first level I realized there was no cause for concern. So far so good: a fun, light hearted game that’s scratching my 3d platformer itch.
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