Friday, December 7th 2007

Concerned Mother Begins Legal Battle on Epilepsy-Inducing Video Games

More and more often, lately, the phrase "it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt" is holding itself true. When one 10 year old boy suffered a seizure in the middle of a game of Rayman Raving Rabbids, his mother didn't let her child become just another statistic. Instead, she's started a legal campaign to prevent more seizures like this in the future. If she succeeds, no game released in the United Kingdom can be played until the game is screened for scenes that might cause an epileptic seizure. While this screening is already required for movies, it has not happened for video games as of yet. As consolation to the boy and his family, Ubisoft is currently testing Rayman Raving Rabbids for said seizure-causing instances. Game manufacturers may deem these methods unnecessary, considering that most games and consoles come with a seizure warning on the box or in the manual.
Source: Reg Hardware
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50 Comments on Concerned Mother Begins Legal Battle on Epilepsy-Inducing Video Games

#26
Widjaja
There should be another warning included.
Do not play games if you have been excessivley smoking pot.
I had a friend have an eppy from playing Grand Turismo 4.

He had a whole tinny to himself, since I don't smoke, came back in, started playing GT4 cross legged on the floor, all of a sudden saying to me.
"Dude I don't feel so good" next thing you know he slumped forward a bit dropped the controller, his jaw dropped open, eyes rolled into the back of his head then fell to his side and had an eppy for 15 seconds.

I gave him a kick (seriously I did) and he snapped out of it.
He was fine after that but he didn't play playstation for a while after.
Posted on Reply
#27
ktr
effmasterAwww whyd you change it:ohwell::(:cry::cry:
just for you, the goat is back.
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#28
Kreij
Senior Monkey Moderator
Mussles said: if erotic thoughts made me have seizures, i'd stop looking at porn
Who are you kidding? :D
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#29
effmaster
Musselsif erotic thoughts made me have seizures, i'd stop looking at porn
lol im adding you to my sig mussels:roll:
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#30
eidairaman1
The Exiled Airman
fucking bitch, she should of known the games would cause epilepsy, i recall the games back during 8bit not having epilepsy warning, they certainly do now, i swear she is trying to make money off of nothing where precautions have been put into video games to warn kids and adults with epilepsy to not play them. Epilepsy is usually caused by flashes, certain colors/paterns or the combination of the above. Pure and simple, if your child has a seizure and the game has a warning on it before any game play, you cant take the company to court because you failed to moderate your childs game use. Thats the problem with the world, people repeat mistakes constantly because they don't read the fucking manual.
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#31
Wile E
Power User
newconroerI have a feeling some people are silently comparing this to warning labels on a pack of cigarettes, and feeling that it's the user's responsibility. Yet we're talking about children here, who are neither mature enough to use moderation, or wise enough to see the consequences ahead of time.
I needn't quote you any further to dismiss your theory. In the case of a video game, it is the parent's responsibility to check the warning labels. If your child goes to another's house, it's your responsibility to know his/her whereabouts. and to inform the parents of your child's condition. If your child has Epileptic seizures, they should also have a medic alert bracelet to help in situations near people that are unfamiliar to their condition.


This is a ridiculous lawsuit. it all comes back to proper parenting.
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#32
Ketxxx
Heedless Psychic
For christ sake the kid has epilepsy its the tarded mothers own fault for buying her kid a game with bright flashing colours. Silly cow.
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#33
Batou1986
i think the company should counter sue her for not reading teh warning

ps: eidairaman1 try an keep the language clean or atleast censor yourself
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#34
newconroer
Wile EI needn't quote you any further to dismiss your theory. In the case of a video game, it is the parent's responsibility to check the warning labels. If your child goes to another's house, it's your responsibility to know his/her whereabouts. and to inform the parents of your child's condition. If your child has Epileptic seizures, they should also have a medic alert bracelet to help in situations near people that are unfamiliar to their condition.


This is a ridiculous lawsuit. it all comes back to proper parenting.
Proper parenting or not, you can't watch your children 100%, and you can't always expect your kids to practice what you teach them, especially when they are ten years old...


Hence, it is worth it to test the games, just in case. And I would imagine that some companies would be inclined, given how easy it is to win a lawsuit these days over similar issues.


I know I won't be able to watch my kids 100%, and I know that if they were epileptic, I wouldn't even let them play virtual games, but I am not omnipotent, and one less bad thing happening to my child is important! If the probability of this can be further decreased by a screening/testing, then I'm all for it.


This is not the same as an adult sticking their hairdryer in the bathtub water, getting electrocuted and trying to sue someone. Which is why I made the cigarette comment. People are trying to put this in the same light as some dumb adult who lacks common sense.
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#35
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
newconroerProper parenting or not, you can't watch your children 100%, and you can't always expect your kids to practice what you teach them, especially when they are ten years old...


Hence, it is worth it to test the games, just in case. And I would imagine that some companies would be inclined, given how easy it is to win a lawsuit these days over similar issues.


I know I won't be able to watch my kids 100%, and I know that if they were epileptic, I wouldn't even let them play virtual games, but I am not omnipotent, and one less bad thing happening to my child is important! If the probability of this can be further decreased by a screening/testing, then I'm all for it.


This is not the same as an adult sticking their hairdryer in the bathtub water, getting electrocuted and trying to sue someone. Which is why I made the cigarette comment. People are trying to put this in the same light as some dumb adult who lacks common sense.
if the parent warns the child, and bans them from playing the games and the kid is stupid enough to play them and have a seizure, then they played the game KNOWING it could make them have a seizure - they cant sue, as they did it willingly and knowing it was dangerous.
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#36
Woah Mama!
This is just stupidity. If your child has epilepsy then you should be aware of the health and safety risks involved with a video game, even watching TV.

The safety warnings on the box or hidden inside a game manual are there only to protect the gaming company from stupid ass parents like this one who didn't bother to check up on this very matter, for this very damn reason.
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#37
imperialreign
Like I said, if this lady didn't know her child had a condition, she should be thanking the game developer for letting her know!
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#38
newconroer
Musselsif the parent warns the child, and bans them from playing the games and the kid is stupid enough to play them and have a seizure, then they played the game KNOWING it could make them have a seizure - they cant sue, as they did it willingly and knowing it was dangerous.
Yes, because all CHILDREN listen to everything their parents say, and always do that right thing? How many children even fully comprehend what seizures and epilepsy is???


Again, this new point is not about an adult ignoring the warnings and being negligent. This is about the possibility of a child being exposed, regardless of the amount of parenting.
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#39
Widjaja
Would she have tried to ruin it for everyone else if her child wasn't an eppy sufferer in the first place?

I don't think so, she probably would have said, games are fine and I don't know why people say thier violent either.
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#40
Darknova
newconroerYes, because all CHILDREN listen to everything their parents say, and always do that right thing? How many children even fully comprehend what seizures and epilepsy is???


Again, this new point is not about an adult ignoring the warnings and being negligent. This is about the possibility of a child being exposed, regardless of the amount of parenting.
Have you ever dealt with an epileptic kid? Most of them are terrified of having a seizure, especially at a young age. They don't fully understand what's happening to them, of course there will always be the exception to the rule, or maybe their mother didn't think it was "wise" to tell them, which is very poor parenting in my view.

I remember when I worked in a primary school and one of the kids ran screaming from the room when the light bulb started flickering. Eventually she told me that it was because her mother had told her ANY flashing lights could cause her to have a seizure.

The fact remains that yes it's horrible that this kid had a seizure, but trying to sue them because of any number of reasons (most of which would be HER fault) is ridiculous.
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#41
Wile E
Power User
newconroerYes, because all CHILDREN listen to everything their parents say, and always do that right thing? How many children even fully comprehend what seizures and epilepsy is???


Again, this new point is not about an adult ignoring the warnings and being negligent. This is about the possibility of a child being exposed, regardless of the amount of parenting.
Darknova got it right here, newconroer. My daughter's best friend has seizures, and is well aware of her condition, and has been for years (she's 12). She's terrified of them, and does everything in her power to prevent them, although she isn't effected by flashing lights.

If an otherwise normal 10yr old has seizures, they know it by now, and know what causes it, and will do their best to avoid it.

I still say this lawsuit is frivolous. It's not up to game makers and politicians to protect and teach our children, it's up to us.

Despite all that, the point is moot. The game developer did put the warning on the box, meaning they already know it can cause seizures. Why should they take it out of their game?
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#42
newbielives
I feel for her but at the same time I think she's an idiot
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#43
effmaster
newbielivesI feel for her but at the same time I think she's an idiot
I hope your talking about the girl in the news story and not Wile E's daughter's freind lol:laugh::laugh:
You would be digging yourself a bigtime hole there lol.
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#44
Davidelmo
Dear god, can NOBODY take responsibility for their own actions (or their child's actions) any more.

She KNEW her kid was epileptic.. yet let him play a brightly coloured computer game which clearly states on the box, manual and DVD that it may cause seizures.

And somehow it's the companies fault?
Posted on Reply
#45
Davidelmo
newconroerProper parenting or not, you can't watch your children 100%, and you can't always expect your kids to practice what you teach them, especially when they are ten years old...


Hence, it is worth it to test the games, just in case. And I would imagine that some companies would be inclined, given how easy it is to win a lawsuit these days over similar issues.


I know I won't be able to watch my kids 100%, and I know that if they were epileptic, I wouldn't even let them play virtual games, but I am not omnipotent, and one less bad thing happening to my child is important! If the probability of this can be further decreased by a screening/testing, then I'm all for it.


This is not the same as an adult sticking their hairdryer in the bathtub water, getting electrocuted and trying to sue someone. Which is why I made the cigarette comment. People are trying to put this in the same light as some dumb adult who lacks common sense.
No.

No matter WHAT spin you put on it, in no way is it the fault of the company.

They provide a product with no guarantees about whether or not it will produce epileptic seizures. They even provide a warming that it MAY produce a seizure. It's not their job to test it.
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#46
newbielives
I meant the Mom in the news story lol
effmasterI hope your talking about the girl in the news story and not Wile E's daughter's freind lol:laugh::laugh:
You would be digging yourself a bigtime hole there lol.
Posted on Reply
#47
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
newconroerYes, because all CHILDREN listen to everything their parents say, and always do that right thing? How many children even fully comprehend what seizures and epilepsy is???


Again, this new point is not about an adult ignoring the warnings and being negligent. This is about the possibility of a child being exposed, regardless of the amount of parenting.
take teh damned PC/console away. its called discipline. If the child disobeys the parents, after the parents tell them not to do it - they cant sue, cause the childs stupid. If my mum told me not to piss in a power socket and i did, could she sue the power company? no, cause i DID SOMETHING STUPID.

(cough, i only pissed on the electric fence after i was told not to - DONT DO THAT.)
qwerty_leshheh, stopping porn huh. you talk the talk mussels, but can u walk the walk lol...
:roll: ;)
Happen to live with a quite attractive girl who has a habit of sunbathing a lot... hehehehe,
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#48
effmaster
Musselsi only pissed on the electric fence after i was told not to - DONT DO THAT.)
lol mussels im adding that to my sig as well lol:laugh::laugh:
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#49
hat
Enthusiast
Fried weiners comin' up! :roll:
sue the electric fence company
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#50
qwerty_lesh
'mussels your my hero'

lmfao.

but man, u rawk! were u drunk when u did that or somthing.
btw about this sueing topic.
i could write a batch that opens thousands of calculator dialogs on my pc at home, then (very slowly) log off the user account, and whilst my o.s unloads all the calc.exe threads behind the api, i would get a dialog in the center of the desktop which flashes at an alarming rate, and seeing how microsoft hasnt dislosed (im assuming, who in their right mind actually reads their eula, lol) that their operating system can cause seasures, does that mean i can use microshaft, or the programmer who wrote calculator for windows?
no, just like mussels point, and especially if their is disclosure of a health related possability, its still a responsability left to a supervisor/guardian that their kids arent being little morons or playing something that can cause injury, or something they shouldnt be playing bla bla..
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