Is there a cure to Video Game Motion Sickness?

[Chew]

I know there's been a few threads on this, but they're rather old.

I never get motion sickness with real motion: boats, roller coasters, cars, you name it.

But, playing video games on my 51" HDTV makes me sick almost instantly. I haven't played games at all since upgrading the TV: I never had a problem on my 32" tube TV, but I'm not switching back.

It's not possible for me to sit further away, I'm already 10-12 feet.

I placed an order for a (backordered) PS3 from the Sony site for the $150 credit, mainly to use as a Blu-Ray player. But, there's several games I'm looking to get, mainly Resident Evil: Essentials (PS2 game).

What works to cure your motion sickness? Wrist bands? Someone previously suggested ginger? Anything else?

[funkyryno]

I assume you're having this problem while playing first-person shooters.

Try playing with the lights on.

What's the refresh rate on your TV? Maybe something is off there.

That's all I've got for you ...

[The Bus]

Sit even further away.
Turn on lights.
Take frequent breaks.

[McHawkson]

Those are good advices and get used to it.


Funny, I have been playing 3D games since Wolf3D (first FPS) released, I never had motion sickness. I spent hours a day in row since Enemy Terrority first released (played through MOHAA series, and Call of Duty series), not one single sickness problem.

[Chew]

My TV is the Toshiba 51H83 RPTV, I don't know what it's refresh rate is. I'd love to get a new Plasma or LCD, but I don't know if that's really in the cards any time soon.

The lights suggestion is certainly worth trying, it does tend to be dark in the room when I have played.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to sit any further away and it only takes a minute to start feeling it.

[GreenMonkey]

Quick google hunt turned up this from mythbusters (via slashdot):

They had to figure out who in the MythBusters crew was susceptible to seasickness. Adam was a sure bet because of previous seasickness during the Jaws Special. Sure enough, Adam got quesy within 3 and half minutes on the chair. After a half an hour in the chair, Jamie was still fine. Kari and Tory were both fine as well. Grant became the final test subject. He lasted longer than Adam, but he got sick as well.

Remedy Testing

Homoepathic tongue tingler. They used a unnamed spray that you squirt under the tongue as often as needed. Grant was sick within 10 minutes and vomited some small chunks. Adam was sick within 4 minutes.
Wrist straps: They wore little gray wristbands that are 'Barry Manilow's choice.' Adam was sick within 90 seconds. Grant got sick as well. They've gotten pretty quick with bringing a bucket to Grant.
Ginger pills: It worked! Adam and Grant were both fine.
Small shocks on the P6 Accupunture point (on the wrist):Z Both Adam and Grant got sick.
Placebo: They told Grant and Adam they were getting an over-the-counter pharmaceutical remedy, but they actually gave them vitamins. Adam's reponse: "I hate this [bleeping] chair" after three and a half minutes. Grant: "This is among the most effective, if not the most effective."
Over-the-counter pharmaceutical drug: Worked on Adam and Grant, but it made them both a little loopy.

Only thing that worked without any side effects was the ginger pill.

Ginger pills: plausible

My wife gets this. She can't even look at the projector when I'm playing Gears. The shaky camera when running and 3d graphics make her very ill.

The 1st Buffy the Vampire Slayer game on the xbox made her throw up within minutes :0

[taffer]

Play Prey.

Bwahahahaha.

[cleverusername]

My wife suffers from motion sickness. She used to take the ginger pills and those worked. Now she keeps the wrist bands in her purse and uses them whenever necessary. I don't know if they are the same ones Barry Manilow uses! Anyway, the ginger supplements and the wrist bands work for her.

[darkside]

I have the same issues with some games. Quake II kicked my ass back in the day. I have done better with more of the modern FPS games like Half Life 2. Maybe it is the better monitor or something.

[bunkaroo]

I think sometimes what's happening in the background can make a difference.

For example, I can play BF2 all day and not have any problems whatsoever, but I played Call of Duty 2 for 10 minutes and felt nauseous. CoD2 seemed to have much more detailed surroundings.

[GatorDeb]

Hmm I'm going to have to try the ginger pills. Morrowind knocks me out for 4-5 hours after 20 minutes or so of play, and FF X-2 knocked me out for 2 days after 20 minutes of play.

[Dean Kousoulas]

This is a frequent problem with me, although only on certain games. Call of Duty series, Medal of Honor, Halo, etc...never had a problem.

I can't play Return to Castle Wolf, Prey, The Suffering (in FPS), or numerous other shitty FPS with bad framerates, else I feel like I want to throw up.

[scott1598]

i got one that may or may not work...stop playing video games!!

[Chew]

Originally Posted by scott1598

i got one that may or may not work...stop playing video games!!

Have you forgotten which forum you're posting in?

[Green Smurf]

I have the same problem, got it bad last night while playing Viva Pinata of all things.

Kameo kicked my ass bad I haven't picked it up since.

Going to have to try the ginger pills, hopefully that works, would like to play more FPS type games.

Bioshock was another one played the demo and was starting to feel sick.

[Andalusia]

Not quite the same thing, but I remember playing "Condemned: Criminal Origins" and getting bad headaches. Finally, I turned up the brightness and it helped it a bit. Still, I've never had that happen to me in a game before.

[Brooklyn]

If possible try putting something ontop of the TV at the center (like a candle). Your
eyes/brain will see that as something stable and it can help with gaming motion sickness.

[Daryl]

if anyone tries the ginger pills, please let us know the results

[dizzlle01]

what is this wristband you guys speak of? Any link for a sample

[DVDChris]

The only game that ever made me feel nauseous was King Kong on the 360. Very Bizarre because I play FPSs all the time. Gears of War..nothing, COD2..nothing.

[Nosmo Rex]

I don't often have a problem, but when I do, Dramamine seems to help.

[mdc3000]

I don't get motion sickness, but after a few minutes of Guitar Hero my vision gets messed up, with perspective switching, making things appear to 'move' or 'breathe'... you get used to it though. I do find that the 'lights on' suggestion is a good one and of course, take breaks every 15 min or so, even short ones should help.

[mh4268]

Originally Posted by dizzlle01

what is this wristband you guys speak of? Any link for a sample

I believe they are talking of sea-bands,

http://www.sea-band.com/seaband.htm

[chris l.]

LOL I started a discussion on tomshardware about the exact same condition. Take a look:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/98...-playing-games

[porieux]

I've only ever had this problem with Marathon 2 Durandal on XBLA (never had a problem with the Mac version though). Supposedly there is an update out to fix it, but I haven't tried it yet.