A scene in Balan Wonderworld, the debut platforming game from developer Arzest and Balan Company, has been patched following reports that it could pose a “photo-sensitive epilepsy risk.”
According to Polygon, the patch must be installed as part of the game’s day-one patch. The official Balan Wonderworld Twitter account posted a warning to players, urging them to make sure the patch is applied before jumping in.
“Please ensure that you install the Day 1 Patch before playing,” the tweet read. “We have received reports of a photo-sensitive epilepsy risk from a potential flashing bug if playing the game is un-patched. The Day 1 Patch prevents this issue as well as enhances the overall play experience.”
The footage surfaced on Thursday evening (March 25), showcasing Balan Wonderworld’s final boss encounter. Though referred to as a glitch, there’s a segment of the fight during which there are a few flashes on screen with black and white strobing. This scene was summarily removed after multiple reports from individuals playing the game peppered social media.
Balan Wonderworld is available across all platforms now. It follows young children named Leo and Emma, who find themselves wrapped up in the world of Balan, a magical being. Across 12 different worlds themed after the hearts of a variety of troubled people, Leo and Emma must defeat enemies and employe various suits to make progress. Yuji Naka, creator of Sonic the Hedgehog and NiGHTS Into Dreams, worked alongside artist Naoto Ohshima to bring the colorful adventure to life.
