Tekken 8 Altering Accessibility Filters After Health Concerns

Tekken 8 director Katsuhiro Harada recently confirmed the fighting game’s controversial accessibility filters are being reworked after warnings they could trigger seizures.

Key Highlights:

• Tekken 8 adds colourblind filters to help visually impaired players.
• But some combinations were flagged for potentially dangerous effects.
• Stripe filters on bright backgrounds created seizure risks for some.
• Developers are modifying filters before launch after backlash.
• They previously defended the options as still in testing.
• Harada says updated filters will be added to demo and final game soon.
• Exact changes and timing remain unconfirmed.

Well-Intentioned Options Backfire

Tekken 8’s free demo in December previewed various accessibility options for the full game. These included colourblind filters meant to help visually impaired players distinguish characters and actions.

But community members soon realised certain filter combinations created harmful strobe-like effects. One in particular was accessibility specialist Ian Hamilton, who took to social site X and tweeted his concerns to the devs.

@Harada_TEKKEN you urgently need to remove one of your filters (the striped one), it cannot be present at launch as it may hospitalise players (or worse), in the same way as the infamous Pokémon episode.

— Ian Hamilton (@ianhamilton_) December 27, 2023

Dark lined characters over bright white backgrounds specifically raised health concerns.

Experts warned these patterns posed migraine and seizure risks for photosensitive players. Though well-meaning, Tekken 8’s filters proved dangerous in specific configurations.

Community Callouts Lead to Changes

After outcry spread online, Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada defended the filters as still in testing based on research and community input.

But experts like accessibility consultant Ian Hamilton insisted the stripe filter specifically should be removed before launch, given life-threatening risks.

Now Harada says altered versions are coming to update both the demo and main game soon. Exact timing and adjustments remain unconfirmed. But the team acknowledges issues and community feedback.

The Accessibility Learning Curve

Game developers still navigate new territory expanding accessibility options. What helps some players might inadvertently harm others.

Tekken 8 exemplifies good intentions leading to negative consequences. Only broad collaborations and iterative design mitigate risks.

Harada’s team clearly aimed to increase inclusion through innovative filters. But photosensitive conditions demand vigilance and expert guidance.

Ongoing Process of Improvement

Expanding accessibility requires patience, resources, and embracing mistakes as learning opportunities.

Well-meaning options can still require modifications to avoid unintentional exclusions. But perfection remains impossible at launch.

More Tekken 8 Content:

• Gameplay Trailer Highlights Lee Chaolan
• Eddy Gordo is First DLC Fighter
• Brian Cox Narrates Story Recap

The latest entry in the long-running fighting series filter controversy highlights accessibility as an ongoing collaborative process, not a single victory. Progress depends on communities illuminating oversights.

For players needing colourblind support, the Beat ‘Em Up’s overhaul brings hope of safer inclusion. Continued diligence by studios and gamers together unlocks gaming’s full potential.

Source – PCGamer