Video game motion sickness, often called cybersickness, occurs when the visual information on the screen conflicts with the physical sensation of stillness felt by the inner ear. The eyes perceive movement, such as running or turning a camera, but the vestibular system detects no corresponding change in balance or orientation. This sensory conflict can lead to symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and headaches. Mitigating these discomforting symptoms requires adjusting both the game’s visual output and the player’s physical environment and habits.
Adjusting In-Game Visual Settings
The Field of View (FOV) setting is a significant factor, as a low FOV can create a “binocular” effect that exacerbates the sensory conflict. Increasing the FOV allows the player to see more of the virtual environment, which is helpful when sitting close to a monitor where the screen fills a larger portion of natural vision. An FOV range between 90 and 110 degrees often helps reduce the disorienting “fish-eye” warp that can trigger sickness, though the optimal setting depends on screen size and viewing distance.
Many games include cinematic effects that inadvertently trigger motion sickness by introducing artificial movement or blurring. Players should disable features like Motion Blur, which smears frames together during rapid movement. They should also disable Camera Shake or Head Bob, which simulate the slight up-and-down motion of walking or running. These simulated movements are a major source of visual instability that the brain struggles to reconcile with the body’s actual lack of movement.
Enabling a fixed central point on the screen, such as a crosshair or reticle, can provide a simple but effective anchor for the eyes. This static element remains constant even when the virtual world is spinning or moving quickly around it. Having a fixed visual reference point gives the brain a stable element to focus on, which can help ground the player and reduce the perception of overwhelming peripheral motion.
Optimizing Your Physical Gaming Environment
A stable, consistent frame rate (FPS) is essential, as inconsistent or stuttering frame rates are a major trigger for simulation sickness. When the on-screen movement is choppy or variable, the visual information is difficult for the brain to process smoothly, intensifying the sensory mismatch. Aiming for a frame rate of 60 FPS or higher is recommended, but stability is more important than the absolute number; a locked 60 FPS is better than a fluctuating 80 to 120 FPS.
Screen placement and size influence how much the game fills the player’s natural field of vision. Playing on a very large screen or sitting too close to a monitor can heighten the sense of motion by overwhelming the visual field. Monitor distance should be about 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen’s diagonal size. Sitting further away allows peripheral vision to include real-world objects, which serves as a natural anchor.
The surrounding environment should also provide visual cues to remind the brain of the player’s static position. Playing in a well-lit room is beneficial because the ambient light and visible surroundings create an external frame of reference for the peripheral vision. Additionally, ensuring good airflow and a cool temperature can help prevent symptoms, as overheating and stuffiness often worsen feelings of nausea associated with motion sickness.
Immediate Player Techniques and Physiological Aids
When symptoms begin to surface, take frequent, short breaks before the discomfort becomes severe. Stepping away from the screen every 30 to 60 minutes allows the eyes and brain to reset their perception of movement. During these breaks, focusing on a distant object, such as a point across the room, helps to re-acclimate the visual system to a static environment.
A fixed focus strategy can be employed while playing by occasionally glancing at a stationary object in the physical setup, like a monitor bezel or a keyboard. This technique briefly shifts the visual focus away from the game’s motion, using the real world as a temporary reference point to interrupt the sickness-inducing visual flow. This is similar to how a passenger in a moving car might focus on the dashboard to reduce motion sickness.
Certain physiological aids can be used as a preventative measure, with natural ginger being effective for nausea relief. Over-the-counter anti-nausea medications, such as those containing dimenhydrinate (like Dramamine), can also be effective, though they often cause drowsiness. Non-drug options like acupressure wristbands, which apply pressure to a point on the inner wrist, are sometimes used to alleviate nausea.
Maintaining good posture can assist the vestibular system in registering the lack of movement more accurately. Slouching or excessive head and torso movement while sitting increases the positional variability that precedes the onset of motion sickness symptoms. Sitting straight helps the inner ear maintain a consistent baseline for balance, which minimizes confusing signals sent to the brain.