Lawyer Sues Over "Seizure Triggers" in Videogames

[samsonguy920]

I still remember seeing seizure warnings on ALL my old NES instruction books. They've been on this for a long time, and class action lawsuits like this benefit nobody but the lawyer.

I generally read personal injury lawyers [http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=jim the hammer shapiro] as "Ambulance Chaser".

That was the same thought that ran through my mind when I saw the article title. Considering warnings are in place and I am about 95% certain that a good number of developers do take seizure possibility in mind when making their games(there's probably a good number of game programmers who are susceptible themselves), this is purely a waste of time and taxpayer money. Anybody who hops on the class action train is going to be in for a big disappointment, because even if it goes as far as a settlement, most likely each person will see about $5.00, while McMoney the ambulance chaser smiles at the money he makes. If the judge doesn't throw out the case. I will laugh heartily if this turns around and bites McMoney in the ass. And his Bar License.

 

[Triforceformer]

I dunno if it's still the case with Nintendo, but the Gamecube was notorious about it's safety warnings. They were at the start of every game, plus included an insert in every box.

Well now the Wii has one every time you turn on the console.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Am I the only one who thinks that some people are trying to take Jack Thompson's position. Not that they've already been doing it for the longest time, but this has to be one of the most idiotic lawsuits I've seen since the days of Jack.

 

[Pingieking]

I think that video games have carried the seizure warning labels since the mid 20th century, so I have no idea how this is lawsuit is suppose to go anywhere.
Plus, I remember hearing news of a game (I think it was WipeOut HD) delayed because it couldn't pass some kind of a seizure test. So I don't think the claim that the industry doesn't care is exactly valid. On top of that, why are you suing a company for making products that people are essentially "allergic" to?

 

[Xyphon]

Seeing as there are seizure warnings on both the damn game case AND manual, this idiot shall fail MISERABLY.

 

[Pendragon9]

Sorry, the warning is in clear site on the back of the box. It's a risk you take when you play video games.

This guy is just out for a quick buck by using people's conditions.

 

[heyheysg]

Don't you wish Stalin and his assassin's were still around sometimes?

 

[shannon.archer]

I think that they should rather have a warning saying there is a potential for seizures or a great idea would be an option to turn excessive flashes off which is simple enough to do. I think its ridiculous though that the guy is looking for kids >_> its just propagating the idea that ONLY CHILDREN PLAY VIDEO GAMES!!!!!!!!!!! *angry face*

 

[paragon1]

You know, this is stupid. Let's assume that a child who plays videogames suffers these effects. Do they have any proof that it's the games causing the seizure in question? could the child not be suffering from exposure to something else? Given the relatively small number of people who will be afflicted by epilepsy, and the extent of the warnings provided by manufacturers, I really don't see how this man has a leg to stand on. In fact, the warnings are a whole hell of a lot larger than what goes on, say, cigarettes. Maybe if the surgeon general issues a warning about videogame epilepsy, I'll be more impressed.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

Like TV and movies don't do this? Also, Enter The Dragonfly sucked.

 

[Christemo]

*head-desk untill desk is gone, then head-floor untill i land in basement*.

 

[Radelaide]

You can't fix the element within video games, movies, tv, that cause photosensitive seizures. That is a fault in the human brain. I don't know how well this lawsuit is going to go, since as Maly says, videogames already warn about people who are prone to seizures asking doctors about games.

 

[Swaki]

i got epilepsy from playing the original gameboy, but i played 12 hours a day and had the screen 2 cm from my nose, i know this was my bad and i would never think of suing nintendo for it.

but yer i thinks it a legit cause but im against the constant sueing.

 

[axia777]

Epilepsy is how God tell you you suck.

Hey now. That is not cool. I have seizures but not from light strobes. Stop being a dick. Lots of people have Epilepsy for all kinds of reasons.

 

[Deleted]

I thought there was a disclaimer in the back? Anything on tv can ive you an epilectric shock provided they're bright and flashy enough, so if we get a paper cut we'll sue books in general?

 

[Doug]

OBJECTION!

...I'm not quite sure how to feel about this, honestly. On one hand, we don't need more lawyers running around suing video game companies for silly reasons, but this lawyer's reason seems somewhat legit.

More investigation may be required if we're going to find out whether this man's our friend or foe, and whether or not these seizures are common enough to reinforce his case.

This is really, really, really stupid. You don't sue florists when you get an allergic reaction.

Videogames=(Moving Pictures + Flashing Lights)=Epileptic reations

God, this is so stupid.

These and the fact that TV bloody well causes seizures too, but you don't see him trying to sue TV manufacturers for producing moving images on a screen that gives people photo sensative seizures.

Honestly though, I'm not sure if we shouldn't be pleased - we're main stream enough to have ambulance chasers target us now.

 

[MercurySteam]

Games usually advise you to not sit too close to the screen and to play in a well lit room. they can tell us about it, but they can't enforce it.