Last week we reported that as far as we could tell, Wipeout HD was still on track. Shortly after that, though, this appeared on Eurogamer, with David Reeves explaining that the reason we’ve not got a firm release date is that “there is a specific technical problem with WipEout that we have to solve” and that the problem is “a really, really tricky technical problem that no region has been able to solve at the moment.”
There has been much speculation over the last week about just what it is that’s causing the delay and lack of updates from Sony, from theories that the game isn’t making it’s 60fps target to problems with netcode. We’re not privy to the real reasons by any stretch, but every time we’ve seen the game it’s been as smooth as silk, so we’re fairly confident that the PS3 is more than up to the job and we have every faith in Sony Liverpool.
However, one possible explanation for the silence is that the game’s blisteringly fast 60 frames a second refresh rate coupled with the strobing background scenery and constant bobbing of the craft is causing electrical disturbances in people suffering from epilepsy. Certainly games of this ilk have been known to cause motion sickness, but the high-tec imagery used in WipEout HD and the flashing lights might well be adding up to more serious issues, and does go some way to back up what Reeves said last week.
Sony have been in touch with us on this, although we didn’t quite get the answer we were wanting. “WipEout HD is still in development for PSN and we are currently perfecting many aspects of the game, including the online multiplayer experience,” said a spokesperson. “We look forward to unveiling all 8 tracks in the single player game, plus the online multiplayer experience, which allows for up to 8 players on each track, along with all the other game modes.”
We’ve spoken to one expert on the subject of seizures who assures us flashing lights are fairly low down the list of triggers for epilepsy patients, but naturally if this is indeed a contributing factor to the game’s delay, we’re sure the developers are doing everything they can to reduce the problem. We’re hoping for more on WipEout HD soon, so stay tuned to TheSixthAxis.
Update: nice of C&VG to run a ’similar’ story, eh?
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
It’s interesting if this does end up being the case, and you have to wonder what they could do to prevent it without stripping back the visuals.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I dunno - extra-padded cushions with each copy?
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
This reminds me of that London 2012 promo that caused seizures. With WipEout, it’s fast and furious so I could understand that they’re having problems of this nature.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 am
Well at least they addressing the situation.. its better to to be safer than sorry these days.. you never know who’s round the corner just waiting to claim some compensation.
On the Epilepsy side of things there could be a number of things that could cause seizures, photo-sensitivity and fast/erratic imagery is only two triggers, and not all sufferers of Epilepsy are prone to them.
My missus is a sufferer, and I’m constantly concerned every time she plays Guitar Hero, as that has both.. but she is too busy concentrating on the colours to be played that I thing her brain cancels out the flashing/etc.
I played the PSN demo of Elefunk the other day, and that was the first time I have seen a seizure warnings during the start-up since, well for ages (that I can remember)..
I’m sure they’ll find some way to counter the issues raised without impeding on the game itself.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 am
Yeh wont they just add warnings to the game like they do with films, i cant see how they can change the game in any way without spoiling it.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
hmm I think there might be a better explanation