Mother's campaign to bring video game seizure concerns to British Parliament a success
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Jun 15th 2008 at 1:30PM }
Parliament has agreed to debate whether or not rigorous testing for seizure-inducing material in video games should be required by their developers on a heretofore undecided date. Television and films are already tested in this manner, but no countries require similar checks for games. Ubisoft has independently agreed to begin performing these tests on all their future titles, though we find it difficult to imagine how one makes a mini-game compilation featuring hyperactive, mutant rabbits without using some PSE-sensitive material.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sam406 @ Jun 15th 2008 1:38PM
Some things I just don't understand, aren't these warnings in every box every screen every manual already?
The warning is there, man, it's your choice to ignore it or not.
syrik zero @ Jun 15th 2008 2:12PM
Well put Sam +1
TomCo @ Jun 15th 2008 3:53PM
But every game has those warnings, why? Because they're just covering their asses.
A person with PSE concerned about their condition wouldnt really be able to play any games at all.
hexhunter @ Jun 15th 2008 4:30PM
This is what Knighty says: "Her son didn't have it before so the warnings mean nothing of course. Sounds like a pretty good idea since the same already happens in other mediums."
He's correct, all illnesses have a first time, and with epilepsy it could be your first, which is why I don't ind the idea of forced testing, though it wouldn't be an easy thing to do, with BDs and MMOs, there could be millions of different files to check, even then freak errors could cause a flickering effect...
Actually, I think what should be done is putting a bit more info at the start of games, like what to do if someone gets a seizure. My Uncle fell into a coma after hitting his head during a seizure, caused by playing a video game. He survived a while, but only because his son knew that he had to ring 999(emergency no. in UK)...
Many people wouldn't know what to do, for instance, a woman had a seizure at a bus stop my mum was at, she was the only one who knew to put her on her side and hold her tounge, everyone else just stood there and watched...
- Deus X Machina
waynski1457 @ Jun 15th 2008 6:46PM
Well put hex. It's almost appalling how many people, even in the medical field, have no idea what to do when someone has a seizure when the education on it is easily available.
Quick google search even:
http://authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?AuthorID=9920&id=17538
Carrie @ Jun 15th 2008 1:38PM
So why is she sitting in front of Sonic 2006? Is she threatening to make us play it if we don't do something about seizure-inducing games?
That is one evil lady.
Shadow Hog @ Jun 15th 2008 3:20PM
Screw epilepsy, just playing that game period would induce seizures.
HighFiveJesus @ Jun 15th 2008 1:39PM
not a bad idea, but didn't she notice that as soon as you turn on the ds, you see a link to nintendo's health and safety warnings? in my region, epilepsy risks are the first thing you read about. I'm for rigorous testing though to prevent it.
knighty @ Jun 15th 2008 1:51PM
Her son didn't have it before so the warnings mean nothing of course. Sounds like a pretty good idea since the same already happens in other mediums.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 15th 2008 1:46PM
There are warnings epilepsy seizures at the back of the game cases, in the instrucion booklet, and there's a screen warning you about those problems when you turn on the DS and the Wii.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 15th 2008 3:33PM
Wow... why did I get voted down?
kavendano14 @ Jun 15th 2008 3:34PM
Because it's obvious.
mcatrage @ Jun 15th 2008 3:47PM
It was stated in the first post and all you added was the Wii and DS specifically for some reason.
Naota @ Jun 15th 2008 4:07PM
I don't really get why he was voted down, I don't recall that warning being on any other systems.
Donald @ Jun 15th 2008 4:15PM
I voted you up, as you're right, it has those warnings on the Wii and DS right when you turn them on.
Don't downvote him just because.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 15th 2008 6:15PM
You get downvoted all the time because you just troll 95% of the time. So even the few times we you state something that isn't trolling, people are still going to vote you down. You've done this to yourself.
Mr Khan @ Jun 15th 2008 8:15PM
Oh, please. People would vote down the other perpetual trolls too, but they don't
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 15th 2008 1:46PM
First off, this woman's original story is full of horse shit. Because she once stated "and my son laid there convulsing saying "mommy, makes the lights stop""
Second, just another video game witch hunt for britian. Natually games can induce an epileptic seizure, certainly. But so can driving at night, florescent bulbs, etc. Most people who discover this about themselves would prefer the safe environment instead of driving down a highway at 70mph.
Third, the warning are there, in every region. This is like saying "It's not enough for a lighter to warn that it contains flammable liquid in writing, it must have a sound chip in every lighter with a very visible button to remind us in a jaunty tune plaid in a 17th century style dirge."
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jun 15th 2008 1:57PM
The problem here is that some people just can't stop. And she failed as mother to take care of her child. (Usual blames that she had no time since had to work are also applicable.)
Hearing that something like that comes from Britain is actually surprising. That's Americans who like to blame/sue everybody for their own inability to stop.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 15th 2008 2:28PM
I don't see how she failed as a mother. After all, you don't LEARN you have epilepsy until you have a seizure. Your first seizure usually happens around the time of the child's age. The fact that the child was playing a game makes it an easy scapegoat but it could have just as easily been TV or even christmas lights. The point is, as a mother, she couldn't have prevented it. She did however embellish the story a huge amount because I have NEVER heard of someone talking during an epileptic seizure.
As for this shocking blame game coming from Britain, where have you been? Games like Final Fantasy have been blamed for the rise of knife crimes in Manchester and reckless teenage driving was recently acredited to Gran Turismo. Even the Byron report was commissioned as a whole "time to PROVE these games be the devil, yar!" It just blew up in their face because when anytime ACTUAL research is done, it shows the contrary.
War Machine @ Jun 16th 2008 1:14AM
Right, the only thing that a law forcing developers to more rigorous testing (in this case, specifically on seizure inducing potential) is more delays on games.
Aside from that, there was really nothing the mother or the game developers could've done to prevent her kid from having a seizure; several warnings are already in place, and it's pretty obvious to anyone that anything with blinking lights can potentially induce a seizure.
As for the embellished story, well you need to exaggerate it if you're pushing for a law to be passed, not that I don't think she shouldn't be trying to get that law passed. Anyway, as is my understanding, it is possible to talk during a seizure as long as it's a mild or non-convulsive one; if you're jerking around uncontrollably, you're probably not even aware that it's happening.
Luke @ Jun 15th 2008 1:48PM
Don't games have warnings at the start? ^_^
Clarky456 @ Jun 15th 2008 1:53PM
"Gaye Herford"...I know why she has took this issue to parliament, shes pissed about having to change her gamer tag on xbl.
Tyrus @ Jun 15th 2008 1:51PM
Watching TV, I don't see anything containing a warning about possible seizures. Would that be the case for games, as well, if they did this testing on them? I'm sure there are seizure-prone people out there that enjoy video games and would rather not assume whether or not a game will be seizure-iffic on their own.
I'm just surprised to hear that such testing exists and works.
knighty @ Jun 15th 2008 1:52PM
Wow people should try to read articles before commenting on them.
Hassun @ Jun 15th 2008 2:09PM
News like this just makes me foam at the mouth.
Nigeria @ Jun 15th 2008 2:18PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMIx2Xecq-o
Fatass of Sarcasmness @ Jun 15th 2008 2:25PM
Why?
oshin @ Jun 15th 2008 2:43PM
People seem to miss the point here, yes games have warning labels, but every game has a generic warning, and maybe a certain percentage only actually cause these fits. Its a pretty harsh thing to have to ban your kid completely from video games if only a small few can cause the problem.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 15th 2008 3:09PM
oshin, if you have epilepsy, some of these are your mortal enemies...
http://www.daily-acts.org/images/bulb.jpg
http://www.sz-wholesale.com/uploadFiles/17%20CRT%20Monitor_558.jpg
http://image20.webshots.com/20/4/15/24/235041524jhnABP_fs.jpg
Andrew @ Jun 15th 2008 1:59PM
so how do they expect to test if game induces seizures? by playing it constantly before they release the game like they do already. Shoot i haven't heard of a game tester getting a seizure.
Judd @ Jun 15th 2008 2:01PM
While I'm usually someone who will argue that games are treated more harshly than TV and movies, since in this case TV and movies are already tested, I think it's only fair that games be tested as well.
I'm sure most people on this site will come to the defense of game regulation, but let's be honest here, games seem like they might be more prone to causing a seizure than TV or film.
How about this. Just like movies and TV, games should be tested before they come out, but also just like movies and TV gamers we won't have to sit through five different warning screens before starting(I'm looking at you Nintendo).
whookid @ Jun 15th 2008 2:02PM
This is a load of nonsense, just another load of crap people want to dump on gaming.
How long is it before 'Gaye' wants to sue and get a shit load of money.
Jhongerkong @ Jun 15th 2008 2:18PM
"you've probably noticed the seizure warnings interjected into the start-up screens of many games"
What? Outside the nag screen plaguing GC games, and DS/Wii, ive never seen any sort of health concern or anything.
jrhawk42 @ Jun 15th 2008 2:22PM
I had no clue that candy give my diabetic son seizures. They should pass a law forcing all candy companies to test for diabetics.
Also from what was posted by Ubisoft on DSfanboy the game actually passed the Epilepsy tests.
waynski1457 @ Jun 15th 2008 2:25PM
I completely agree with this testing. I don't see why at all it hasn't been done before. As someone with a relative who falls into that .02%, any chance at my preferred entertainment medium of choice becoming safer for all people is very welcome.
And for everyone complaining about this just ending up as more regulation for the industry, look at it this way: in order for video games to be looked upon in the same light as other "more respected" media formats, they should be put under the same scrutinies as the others.
theturtle363 @ Jun 15th 2008 2:37PM
Haven't there been epilepsy warnings ever since the original NES? Right on the box, on the cartridge, and IN the game?
tc @ Jun 15th 2008 2:41PM
Gordon Brown should fake a seizure during his next political crisis...although that could become a problem if he has to be taken to hospital on a weekly basis.
Kayode @ Jun 15th 2008 8:57PM
It's sad how paranoid and defensive some gamers have become about their hobby. So many people in this comment section have chosen to rant and whine without actually getting solid information about the woman's perfectly reasonable request.
Ironic thing is, the average paranoid defensive gamer is beginning to mirror the average paranoid blame-shifting parent. At least the parents are ostensibly defending kids. What's a gamer's justification for being reactionary, irrational and smug?
A lot of us have a hell of a lot of growing up to do.
Fatass of Sarcasmness @ Jun 15th 2008 2:57PM
Joystiq post of the forever. +1
Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 15th 2008 3:05PM
MAYBE if you followed the story for the past half a year on GamePolitics rather than the cliffnotes, you'd understand why I'm not exactly on her side. Anything from lying (people do NOT speak during seizures. It's physically impossible) to ignoring the seizure warnings, to even claiming games develop epilepsy. The ONLY reason why her cause IS being taken up is because of the current gaming witchhunt in Britain right now.
It's not a matter of being overly defensive. It's just a matter of gaming being under fire of some stupid shit and this is one of them. They have the warnings, the child was at a ceceptible age for the condition to surface, and she wants more steps, more barriers that she ignored in the first place.
Badwolf @ Jun 15th 2008 3:21PM
"The ONLY reason why her cause IS being taken up is because of the current gaming witchhunt in Britain right now."
I'm living in Britain and can't say I've noticed any witch hunts. There's the Byron Report, I'll admit, but it didn't set out to, and didn't end up saying anything like games are evil.
The only times I've heard any of the UK media demonising games is in rags like the Daily Mail, but even that's getting rare now and nobody takes them seriously anyway.
TwEE @ Jun 15th 2008 5:21PM
"people do NOT speak during seizures. It's physically impossible" Sir Fidlious I'll be sure to let my sister know that the next time she has a grand maul its physically impossible for her to speak.. She must have been faking it all her life for the meds.. that stinker..
waynski1457 @ Jun 15th 2008 6:40PM
You beat me to it TwEE. My sister during her last seizure was completely conscious and terrified out of her mind. Epileptic and photosensitive seizure classification have recieved a major overhaul over the past few years in order to better diagnose and treat patients (e.g. they aren't called grand maul anymore). It is ENTIRELY possible to have a seizure and remain aware of your surroundings.
I understand that this woman may be the wrong person for this Fidlious, and a total idiot, but that is all irrelevant and what she is asking for certainly isn't wrong. I personally do not see any reason that seizure testing for gaming would be a bad thing, especially when people's safety and well being is the issue.
Kriv @ Jun 15th 2008 2:49PM
Stupid woman. It's her fault for being irresponsible and not reading the warnings. Due to her ignorance, game developers now have to shell out more dough to get their games released.
flanker22 @ Jun 15th 2008 3:27PM
whoa, when did rat faced women have opinions?
Jakka @ Jun 15th 2008 3:32PM
I know I'm gonna sound like an ignorant bigot.And I know I'll get downvoted.
But for the love of god,isn't the seizure just her and her son's fucking problem? Do we need to stick warning labels and ban everything just because 0.02% of people may or may not have a seizure?
If I'm allergic to tomatoes, do I try to stop everybody from eating tomatoes? Do I force major tomato companies to waste millions, genetically engineering an allergy-free tomato? No.I don't eat tomatoes and I check to make sure that the food I'm about to eat doesn't contain any tomatoes.I suggest that the Mother does the same because frankly, the 99.98% of population doesn't give a shit about HER PROBLEM!
Nonhippyhippy @ Jun 15th 2008 4:35PM
+1 for speaking the truth!
Fatass of Sarcasmness @ Jun 15th 2008 4:37PM
"I check to make sure that the food I'm about to eat doesn't contain any tomatoes."
And she wants a way to check that the games she gives her son won't make him have seizures. Same shit right thurr, though this chick exaggerates out the asshole and has lied before, as Sheppy stated.
Bones3D @ Jun 15th 2008 3:47PM
This is utter crap...
The problem is tied to the medium used for playing games, not the games themselves. Why is this person selectively pursuing only those within the game industry instead of television manufacturers? This problem has more to do with people's own false sense of security over their own well-being and the equally false sense of entitlement to compensation when their own body suddenly fails on them in coincidence to some environmental element present at that particular moment.
It's not as though Ubisoft programmed epilepsy into the game and secretly unleashed it on the unsuspecting masses, until someone finally "hot coffeed" it.
It'd be interesting to know what type of TV was being used at the time this occurred... an older, continually strobing CRT set or an LCD. Also, it'd be interesting to know why this kid's own doctor didn't catch on that the kid had the condition if the condition itself was so obvious that even a company having never actually seen the "victim" prior to selling the game to them should have known this was going to happen.
The fact is, epilepsy is not a static condition, much like any other neurological disorder. Everyone has slightly differing triggers that affect them in varying ways. Certain colors, patterns and frequencies might affect one person, but may be completely different for another.
Also, exactly how do you test for this sort of thing without posing a potential threat to the testers themselves? Are you going to use known epileptics as part of the test (either as the control or the test subject) and risk some of them dying in the process?
Inevitably, someone else somewhere will end up spazzing out, only to then sue you for not testing thoroughly enough to cover their particular variation of triggers. And it'll continue on recursively until you can't afford to stay in business because testing cost more than the game will bring in.