Accessibility Experts Express Concerns Over Tekken 8’s Colorblind Filter

The developers of Tekken 8 are making efforts to enhance the game’s accessibility by incorporating color blind options. However, some experts and users have raised concerns over one particular filter, which displays characters as vertical and horizontal lines with different white or black backgrounds. This filter has been reported to cause headaches, vertigo, and even potential epileptic seizures in some individuals.

Gaming accessibility specialist Ian Hamilton shared his concerns on X, stating that the filter may have severe consequences, similar to the infamous Pokémon episode. The filter’s rapid movement and extensive coverage of the screen create an area of high-frequency flashing, which can be detrimental to human health.

EA’s senior GM for accessibility, James Berg, advised against sharing the video of the filter due to its potential to trigger migraines and vertigo. He suggested that the Tekken 8 team use EA’s photosensitive epilepsy safety testing tool to address the issue.

Tekken’s director, Katsuhiro Harada, acknowledged the concerns and clarified that the game offers multiple types of color vision options for players with color blindness, not just one pattern. He also emphasized the range of adjustment available and the positive feedback received from demo play participants.

Despite the concerns, Harada and the Tekken 8 team still have time to address the issue, as the game is scheduled for release on January 26th. The intent to make the game more accessible is commendable, and the experts’ advice should be taken into consideration to ensure a positive experience for all players.