Cyberpunk 2077 Can Cause Seizures. Here's What You Need To Know

Cyberpunk 2077, perhaps the most anticipated game of 2020, is nearly here, and the early critical response has been positive so far. However, Game Informer associate editor Liana Ruppert has reported suffering a grand mal seizure while reviewing the game, drawing attention to the fact that the game seems to have limited accessibility options for epileptic gamers and no seizure warnings.

Ruppert said she experienced "one major seizure and felt several moments where I was close to another one." There are frequent red glitching animations throughout the game that can serve as triggers for gamers who are vulnerable to epileptic seizures, Ruppert notes. Also, navigating the futuristic, neon-tinged world of Cyberpunk 2077 means interacting with rapidly blinking red and white lights often, which can cause a response in individuals who have photosensitive epilepsy.

There are two features in Cyberpunk 2077 that gamers with epilepsy should be mindful of before they play the game, Ruppert advises. The first of these are the bars and clubs that main character V visits throughout the game, which Ruppert calls immediate "danger zones." The second feature to avoid, and the trigger for Ruppert's grand mal seizure, are braindances.

Braindances are a tool and story device in Cyberpunk 2077 that allow gamers to plug into memories of other characters, including deceased ones, to interact with their memories. However, the animations for experiencing braindances involve V putting on a headset featuring white and red blinking LEDs that Ruppert describes as nearly identical to devices neurologists use to trigger seizures for diagnostic reasons in a medical setting. Ruppert says, "If not modeled off of the IRL design, it's a very spot on coincidence."

Epileptic seizures are a severe danger, and Ruppert offers some suggestions for how to navigate the world of Cyberpunk 2077 safely for individuals vulnerable to the condition. Some monitors feature an eye-saving mode that filters blue light, which Ruppert found helpful. Adjusting the overall brightness of the screen and experimenting with colorblind modes can also help. However, the braindance segments represent too high a risk for gamers with epilepsy, and she recommends looking away or finding a friend to complete them.

These risks have led some to wonder why the game does not feature any obvious seizure trigger warnings up front, common throughout the video game and entertainment industry. Thankfully, it looks as though CD Projekt Red has responded to Game Informer's PSA.

According to a tweet from CD Projekt Red, there actually is a seizure warning in the game's end user agreement, which can be viewed here. However, the company has said that it will be adding another warning in the game to prevent players from exposing themselves to those sequences. In addition, CD Projekt Red stated, "Regarding a more permanent solution, Dev team is currently exploring that and will be implementing it as soon as possible." CD Projekt Red also thanked Game Informer and Liana Ruppert from bringing the issue to its attention. 

Hopefully this issue can be fixed, and fans will be able to enjoy a worry-free playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077.