Getting Back into the Game: Surviving Simulator Sickness

I love playing videogames, from the role playing games to the action adventure and puzzles. Actually any game except those where you're playing from a first person view because it leaves me rolling on the ground trying not to lose my lunch.

I couldn't understand why I can't play these games until I did some extensive research trying to find a way to over come this illness and may have found an answer for those of us who suffer from simulator sickness, but first let's find out what it is. Simulator sickness is similar to motion sickness, here is what I found while researching.

According to website www.webmd.com, the illness is caused by the brain trying to comprehend mixed messages. Those who play first person videogames, flight simulators and other virtual reality type games can confuse our brains because one, our eyes see the motion but our bodies do not. Especially when the game has loud sounds, constantly moving objects you have to contend with and so on.

WebMD further describes that the illness occurs when the inner ear, eyes and other parts of the body detects motion and sends unexpected conflicting messages to the brain causing part of our balance-sensing systems to prepare for movement. In your mind, your body is actually moving and the sensor nerves are firing off messages to the rest of your body to move accordingly.

But while your brain is flooding your system with the command to move, your body (who is not in motion) is still and not understanding why it has to move because there is no motion taking place with the exception of your hands and arms depending on which game console you're using to make your game perform.

While this takes place, you start sweating, your head begins to ache and your stomach feels like there's a circus going on inside. And as you continue to finish your game, soon you begin experiencing dizziness and then you throw up.

How to set things right with my brain

There is no set cure for this ailment. Believe me, I tried everything from taking 15 minute breaks during the games to finding dimming the brightness and it doesn't really work. Because once the sickness sets in, you will ache and you will vomit because once your mind is in motion it stays in motion for a while. I have heard regular motion sickness medications and sedatives minimize the effect of motion sickness and can reduce nausea and vomiting. Though they may offer some relief, there is no proof that it helps at all because each person is different.

I've actually been able to complete a few first person games by taking breaks often, when the symptoms begin to appear, pause the game and go do something else or lay down for an hour. But that doesn't help me finish a game I'm interested in. So how can we lessen the chance of getting sick while playing?

If this is a regular symptom of motion sickness, we would normally try to find an area aboard the ship or plane that rocks the least. But when playing a videogame, there are no areas of least movement. You're either moving or your not. And if your not moving, the game is not going to progress and we all want to finish the game we just bought or else it becomes a big waste of time and money. So during my research on the Internet I came across the following tips:

Tips for those who suffer simulator sickness

1) When you start feeling dizzy, sweating or ill. Stop playing. Put the game on pause and walk away for awhile. Take a break by doing something else.

2) Try playing in the dark. I've read several articles where gamers have overcome this illness or at least play longer by playing the game in the dark.

3) Turn the sound effects and brightness down. For me, turning down the sound effects as well as the brightness allows me to play longer.

4) Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages such as sodas and coffee while playing. These act as stimulants which may heighten the sensitivity of your body and send you crawling on the floor looking for a curl up and die. Just a figure of speech, you won't really die but you'll feel like someone dropped a giant boulder on you. Try drinking iced water or fruit drinks, something that will help the stomach settle while you play. It's already bad enough most gamers are so into their games that they don't often hydrate themselves let alone eat something.

5) Have some light snacks like apple slices, carrot sticks or raisins to nibble on while playing. Sometimes those playing on an empty stomach will feel the effects faster than others just as those eating heavy or greasy foods. Plus I really hate playing after some kid with greasy hands at the mall or playing at a friend's house after their kids have done playing a game. If i don't get simulator sickness, I'm hurling after gripping a sweaty, greasy and gritty controller and seeing the chips and grease on my hands not to mention the possible germs. Super nasty and gross.

6) Rest often. I usually play for 20 minutes and rest for 20 minutes.

If none of these tips work, then avoid first person games all together to avoid the misery.

(Source: www.webmd.com and gamer blogs were used for research while producing this story.)