Cyberpunk 2077 made the news for many reasons when it launched late last year, but a more pressing concern related to the game's "braindance" sequence causing seizures.
After some debate, it was quickly patched, and Microsoft confirmed it would improve certification procedures to avoid it happening again on its consoles. However, reports suggest that Square Enix's newly-released Balan Wonderworld also contains a scene that could potentially induce seizures.
The report comes from YouTuber Bigdaddyjende, who uploaded final boss footage from the PS5 edition of the game. There are two segments where bright, rapidly flashing white lights appear.
WARNING: We strongly advise you don't watch the video if you're at risk of an epileptic seizure.
If you really want to take a look, this occurs twice at 11:35 and 12:40. We haven't embedded the video on this page, for obvious reasons.
Game Informer's Liana Ruppert, who covered the issues relating to Cyberpunk 2077, has issued the following PSA about the problem:
When I first began watching the scene, which you can view in the video at the 12:40 mark (but I highly advise against it or to use caution), I immediately had to shut it off. Instantly, my right side dropped, and I could feel the onset of an episode. I stepped away. I did my usual "checkup" on myself, I donned safer tech settings, and I looked again, this time at a slower speed to negate the rapid-fire effect that I know is a trigger. What I saw - I hope- is simply a pre-launch glitch because if this scene was intended, my concern is that there were safety checks cut. I can't imagine how this possibly passed the necessary safety certification process if this were intended.
The scene above is not just using flashing effects, it rapid-fires a series of white on background flashes. The quick succession is instantly dangerous, and because of that, I made a PSA on social media to give a warning. Since that tweet went live, I've had numerous people reach out, including developers and other QA devs, saying that they aren't even epileptic, but they felt "odd" after watching. My husband, who had no prior issues with epilepsy or neurological triggers, complained of feeling dizzy before he threw up. Several others reported the same.
It's not known for sure if this impacts the Switch or Xbox versions of the game, but Square Enix has issued the following tweet regarding the problem and confirms that it's a known bug:
If you've already purchased the game on Switch, PlayStation or Xbox, we'd strongly advise that you download the patch before loading it up.
Comments 56
I'd throw up if I spent actual money on this game.
They should have Delayed the game but a last its to late after all the people that said they should have delayed it they said, "We will give you a day one patch" YA OK
The running animation made me have a seizure. I think that's what it was.
When playing the demo, I experienced a rendering engine bug where the colors could be incorrect for a brief moment, or the gameplay might display an entirely black frame (separate from the HUD) periodically.
These issues seemed to be tied to skipping cutscenes or resuming a suspended game from the Switch's home screen.
The t-posing issue in the demo was also connected to skipping cutscenes.
@Snatcher
Can't delay a physical copy of a game that's already in my hands.
@Snatcher It's too late. This 9th generation console classic is out today and there's nothing we can do. Balan will be the death of some people.
@RupeeClock @Jackpaza0508 I forgot It came out already LOL, I will change it.
I mean people have been aware of making flashing light warnings for decades. How does this stuff still happen?
Was it a bug or are they trying to pretend it was one?
Did they leave it in so that it would make headlines?
Or was it that no one really cared about the game?
Wow this game is an absolute sh*t show
Balan Superhell
Well at least something exciting might happen while you play it, it looks like a trainwreck.
Balan wonder-why-people-bought-this
The more amazing news is someone actually made it to the end of the game
I’m impressed someone even got to the final boss, considering it’s not even been out a day.
Playing the demo gave me a headache, and I'm not epileptic...
Even the little girl doesn't like Balan.
What’s even more amazing about this story is that the guy played it right UP TO THE FINAL BOSS🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 hat tilt to u sir
Yuji Naka’s final game is some kind of unintentional satire of his entire post Dreamcast career and even manages to channel the spirt of Sonic Team’s worst games from after he left them.
Mario 64 used to make me dizzy and close to throwing up. My brain couldn't handle seeing mario in 3D i guess.
Hell every videogame I've ever bought had a warning either in the manual or the game itself about seizures and possibility of nausea. Why is this news? Have we never played a videogame before? I mean duh!
Also, where are the reviews? It’s bad enough on ps5/xbx....... on the switch it is absolutely diabolical👎
This is just embarrassing at this point.
Funny, the demo did the exact same thing to me.
@TheLightSpirit
You forgot The Last Of Us Part 2 too.
Someone played this long enough to get to the final boss...?! And their reward for getting that far was a seizure?!
I nominate this article for getting republished in December as part of NL's "2021 year in review" !
@TheLightSpirit i played enough of the demo to realise that it’s a complete mess and no day one patch is ever going to fix it. The ps5/xbx demo is BARELY playable..... the switch version takes it down to a level i never knew existed. So poor. Full price game also....... they’ve got to be having a laugh. It is S H O C K I N G beyond belief
Oh wow. So not only is this game a prematurely released mess, it can also cause physical pain. Not a great look.
@TheLightSpirit This is a prime example of why PR is so important within the gaming industry. The tide of negativity against this game is simply irreversible at this point!
(I didn't think you came across rude by the way. It's fair to defend a game you enjoyed!)
I believe that if the product has the potential to cause seizures then it should be recalled. Not a patch, recall all copies.
I don't hate on it, but unless this was a bug, having this kind of flashing (which I think also happened in Cyberpunk) without warnings is totally unacceptable. If it's a bug it should really be caught. It's not an annoyance, it's an actual danger.
That's a pretty bad idea if you think about it. By shipping the game with the bug and using a patch to fix it, when the Switch/PS5/SeriesX online services shut down the physical/pre-owned copies are going to have this bug.
Why are there no reviews yet... I am curious on how much of a crap show it is
@TheLightSpirit you weren’t rude at all!! I guess my frustration comes from the fact i was really really looking forward to this, only to turn out how it has. So disappointing. I’ll still buy it when it drops to under £20👍
@Balta666
I think this is a pretty low priority release for news and reviews sites lol, when Monster Hunter Rise is out today.
@TheLightSpirit I mean I played the demo, and from what new gameplay I saw I didn't like it, just what I think.
Make sure you wear your eye masks when you play video games!!
We can't risk people getting sick and dying!!!!
Got it arriving in the mail today, will patch it for sure.
This whole game has been such a sad affair, like its own mini-Cyberpunk. So many people were excited for it at announcement and it's just been failure at every turn.
@Snatcher You spelt 'Cancelled' wrong haha
I've seen ZERO reviews of this game so far. Square must have not issued out review copies for obvious reasons.
@RupeeClock I get that but I still want my entertainment
Where are all the reviews for this game???
What was that mean ?
A Disco party during Final Boss Fight ?
@TheLightSpirit
It really isn't receiving more hate than Cyberpunk.
For starters people were actually interested in Cyberpunk.
@RainbowGazelle To be frank, any game has that potential. However, whenever I hear about games like this or Cyberpunk 2077 having patterns that can cause them.. I just don't really mess with those games. Mainly because, even though I don't have epilepsy, my eyes are still pretty sensitive to flashing lights.
I hope whoever is effected is ok. Very unpleasant, I am sure. The game will surely need to carry a warning.
@LEGEND_MARIOID Technically, all games carry a warning. It's printed on the game box and on the store page. Everything that has to do with electronics have this same warning as well. However, if it's a certain pattern of lights, like the brain dance sequences in cyberpunk, then they probably should fix it.
I only played the demo. I never had any physical problems playing any game, but when playing the Demo of this, there was a strange effect in the background when moving the camera in the second part of the level. I can't really say what it is, but it gave me something like a motion sickness. And it also happened watching this video (not as strong, thought) something about the camera movement... I don't want to talk bad about a game I haven't played, but these sensations are very unpleasant, don't know if it's only me...
@earthinheritor I don't think I ever said the word.
Welp, this one is off limits for me then! That wouldn't be any good for my girlfriend!
I don't think any aspect of this game was checked.
Remember when Yuji Naka said this would be his "Only chance of making a 3D Platformer"? Looks like it's also going to be his last.
Wow, that flashing is insanely excessive, sheesh! This game can't buy a good compliment, can it?
This is what it feels like to me to play something at 30fps like pokemon sword or animal crossing. Surely if you could play those games then you could look at this all day?
Whens the review for this game anyway?
The update added the brown note.
We should call it Square Enix's Porygon, referencing the Pokémon Shock incident.
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