Nintendo Faces Continuation Of Seizure Lawsuit

Thanks to 2TheAdvocate for its article discussing a lawsuit against Nintendo regarding their videogames causing seizures. The suit, which has been in progress since July 2003, claims that Nintendo "failed to report that its games contain defects that presented a 'substantial hazard' and create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death." In Nintendo's defence, they claim that they "instituted some recommendations... [including] a limit on the number of times per second a light can flash, and a limit on the brightness of certain lights and their duration on the screen." As a result, "the number of seizures reported to the company by consumers has dropped from 22 in 1999 to six in 2003." The trial will continue until later this month.

Comments

Wait

[TechniMyoko]

Every single nintendo game Ive ever bought came with a warning about seizures in the manuals. Shouldn't the people at risk have known any thing on TV could give them a seizure, and not own a TV. I for one wouldn't own dog if I were allergic to one. These guys paid for their $2 hookers and have only themselve to blame for their AIDS

Just look at the numbers...

[Synonymous Yellowbel]

I mean, as others have pointed out and will continue to point out, there are other things such as strobe lights and picket fences which do or may cause seizures - and why should Nintendo be held liable for testing for something so random and odd? - but just take a look at the numbers they're talking about. 22? That's miniscule compared to the rate of just about anything else in the world. Including emergency room anus/bottle "I slipped whilst cleaning my kitchen in the nude" interaction events.

I applaud Nintendo for (ostensibly) taking this seriously, but I would rather they just told all the whingers to just stop playing the games...

Re:Frivolous Lawsuit

[ivan1011001]

How is this lawsuit frivalous? I mean, c'mon, if video game makers put flashing lights that they know can cause seizures into a game anyway, I think people have every right to sue. It's not like the kid looking at the fence can't look away. Granted someone will say in reply, "It's not like they have to play the game." Still, why make a game that doesnt allow people with epilepsy play w/o incident?

Me, I've never liked flashy lights, not b/c they can cause seizures, but b/c it denotes cheapness.