A Tekken 8 Accessibility Feature May Cause Migraines or Vertigo

The quest for accessibility is opening up video games to people who would never have been able to enjoy them otherwise, but the path is rocky and contains unintended consequences. Tekken 8 will debut later this month, with new filtered modes that will enable people with various forms of low vision or colorblindness to play the game. That doesn't mean that everyone should try them all out. One of the options is "stark mode," which has diminished background details and flattened character shapes distinguishable by their black and white stripes that are either horizontal or vertical. It can be a boon to those with low vision or trouble with depth perception, but the previews have drawn in complaints of vertigo, migraine headaches, and even seizures in those who are sensitive to strobe effects. If you are sensitive to strobes, you shouldn't watch the YouTube clip demonstrating the stark mode.

Tekken developers are well aware of the problem. Morgan Baker, game-accessibility lead at Electronic Arts, suffered a migraine herself playing in this mode.

Of course, no one has to play Tekken 8 in the accessibility modes, but gamers are demanding the stark mode be removed or else labeled with a warning about the possible effects. Read about the backlash and the company's response at Ars Technica.