Developers have taken huge steps in making games accessible for every consumer by working with different organizations and gamers with disabilities to ensure everybody can enjoy games. Recently, the gaming industry has put a bigger focus on accessibility, like the 2020 Game Awards introducing an “Innovation in Accessibility” Award and offering an audio descriptive feature for its livestream. Although the highly-anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 will have to wait to be nominated for any awards until next year, it is the latest title to promise more accessibility.
However, a recent Game Informer article highlights many epileptic triggers can be found in Cyberpunk 2077. The article references key scenes that may trigger epileptic seizures for some. According to the author, who is prone to seizures and experienced a major one during their time with it, describes the title as being, “Much like the tabletop game that inspired the open-world RPG, everything is brighter, louder, and more in your face. Pair that with the reliance on technological interfacing, and some triggers were expected.”
Cyberpunk 2077 responded to this article on Twitter saying the game contains an epileptic warning in the end-user license agreement, but that developers are working on adding a separate warning and are in the process of implementing a “more permanent solution.” Currently, the game does not have accessibility features geared toward gamers with epilepsy, but it is possible that developers will add a feature that may reduce flashing lights and certain colors that can trigger seizures – or at least potentially put warnings up before certain scenes.
According to the Game Informer article, the braindance feature in Cyberpunk 2077 can be particularly dangerous to those who are prone to seizures. During key parts of the game, the main character will put on a headset that features red and white flashing lights, which the author relates to a real device used to trigger seizures for diagnosis purposes.
As of now, there is no real way to avoid these scenes, but developers may implement changes to accommodate those who are affected. Cyberpunk 2077 officially releases on December 10, so changes may be implemented after release, but they have said a permanent solution will come as soon as possible.
Accessibility is being taken more seriously in the gaming industry as of late. Microsoft is one of the major media companies making strides in accessibility, but it admits that more work has to be done. In 2018, Microsoft unveiled an adaptive Xbox One controller with changeable settings that caters to gamers with disabilities. Microsoft is also in the process of making technological advances to provide accessibility to gamers with epilepsy.
Cyberpunk 2077 launches December 10 for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X versions coming in 2021.
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