The reason why I don't play some FPS games like Call of Duty is because of this problematic issue. Games that are hyper-realistic, where movement exactly mimics real-life, tends to give me a major headache. It also explains why I'm taking a really long time to clear FarCry3. First time I actually experienced this was when my friends and I were playing Battlefield 1942, as a huge group, at a LAN shop. It was all fun and games for the first 30minutes and then my brain and my stomach and everything else started to protest.
1. Start feeling sick, unwell, uneasy.
2. Vomiting or the feeling of needing to puke.
3. Headache.
4. Cold sweat, even when you're not really hot or overheated.
5. Looking all pale and sickly.
I'd get all of that and I'll need a timeout for the next 30-45 minutes till I feel better and can go on. One must never let one's team mates down!
I decided to read up on motion sickness and see what I could do to combat it. My mom would just tell me to stop playing altogether but HOW CAN! I like these games and my favourite zombie shooter game (Left4Dead if you don't already know) would be something of a past if I don't do something to manage this.
What's motion sickness anyway?
Apparently, it's something to do with your inner ear; or rather, when the inner ear, eyes and other areas of your body that detects motion, sends confusing and conflicting messages to the brain.
When you play certain FPS games, your character is moving and mimics real moving motions (when you see it), like the up-and-down when they're running or breathing, sprinting or just walking. But the thing is, the rest of your body isn't moving because chances are your bum is planted on the seat and the only thing you're moving is your hands with the controller/keyboard.
So the eyes, inner ear detects movement but the rest of the body doesn't feel it. These conflicting messages sent by the different parts of your body confuses your brain and makes it feel sick. In essence, motion sickness is the result of all the conflicts between your senses.
What can I do to staaaahhhppp it?
One way is by taking medication, but I'm against that. Don't want to be dependent on drugs just to be able to play games.
1. What I do is that I try not to focus on one single point on the screen. If possible, widen your vision. Focus on other things, bigger general things so that your brain is able to distinguish that it's not you that's moving.
2. Drink lots of water. It keeps your system hydrated and actually makes you feel better. Sports drinks with electrolytes are good too. They kinda help to neutralize the feeling and need to want to puke.
3. Eat something before you game. Light, preferably, because a too full stomach might make you feel even worse. The food actually helps prevent the feeling and sensation of light-headedness.
When all else fails, stop and take a breather. Then try steps 1 and 2 again. You know that age-old advice of taking a break after 30-45 minutes of game play and looking out into the distance (preferably to stare/look at something green)? That actually works. Do some eye massages to soothe the eyes because sometimes the strain can lead to even more stress to your brain.
If you have any other motion sickness remedies (particularly for gamers, recreational or not), please do share :)
