VR – how to avoid motion sickness

[Primal Sage]

Teleportation, snapping, and vignetting are literally all of the things that take me out of the VR experience and can sometimes induce nausea for me. I need stick locomotion, stick turning, and the least amount of handholding possible. I need virtual reality to be virtual reality.

Click to shrink...

I am very excited for Resident Evil 8. From the previews it sounds like Capcom is going all out if you so choose. You can play with zero comfort options, full stick smooth locomotion - it's going to be glorious.

Will be my first time playing the game.

 

[Yesterzine]

Here are the 7 best PSVR 2 launch titles to play if you're new to VR

Ian Higton takes a look at the 7 Best PSVR 2 launch titles that you should buy if you’re a complete VR beginner!

www.eurogamer.net

Relevant I think.

Click to shrink...

And having played most of those it feels a pretty sensible list.

 

[cgpartlow]

Ginger helps a lot as well! Ginger pills are a lifesaver

 

[Ewaan]

Another great thread, Primal Sage. Keep up the good work.

 

[Jencks]

Millennium Force > any VR headset

 

[SuperBoss]

Keep up the great threads!

 

[joeblow]

Here's a research study that details how haptic technology in a VR headset can be used to reduce motion sickness in virtual reality settings.

ABSTRACT
Virtual Reality (VR) sickness occurs when exposure to a virtual
environment causes symptoms that are similar to motion sickness,
and has been one of the major user experience barriers of VR. To
reduce VR sickness, prior work has explored dynamic field-of-view
modification and galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) that recou-
ples the visual and vestibular systems. We propose a new approach
to reduce VR sickness, called PhantomLegs, that applies alternating
haptic cues that are synchronized to users' footsteps in VR. Our
prototype consists of two servos with padded swing arms, one set
on each side of the head, that lightly taps the head as users walk
in VR. We conducted a three-session, multi-day user study with
30 participants to evaluate its effects as users navigate through a
VR environment while physically being seated. Results show that
our approach significantly reduces VR sickness during the initial
exposure while remaining comfortable to users.

Click to shrink...

 

[Primal Sage]

With PSVR2 I do see the potential for a remedy for this. The rumble in the headset would be perfect to accompany screenshake. It could be enough for the visual shake to feel natural because of that little bit of actual feedback.

Click to shrink...

Quoting myself here. Just watched the GTplanet preview of Gean Turismo 7. The VR version does exactly what I suggested :-)

The previewer also mentions that he got motion sick after five minutes in GT Sport VR. He played an hour of GT7 VR with no issues.

Gran Turismo 7 in PSVR2: Hands-On Impressions and New Gameplay Video

We got to go hands-on with Gran Turismo 7 and the new PlayStation VR 2 headset. Here's what we thought, along with some all-new gameplay footage.Join the GT7...

youtu.be

 

[HoodedSoldier]

I've mentioned this in older post.
1. Do not push yourself too hard. Stop at the first signs of feeling sick, if you push yourself too hard you will feel sick for several days. There is no push yourself till you get use to it. Play short sessions and you will begin to build a tolerance.
2. Ginger candy 15-20 mins before playing.
3. Play with a window open to allow yourself fresh air.

 

[Anustart]

Frame rate seems to play a factor for me. Only VR game to make me feel real queasy was Alyx. Then I upgraded my GPU and the effect lessened?

 

[ghostcrew]

Do not push yourself too hard. Stop at the first signs of feeling sick, if you push yourself too hard you will feel sick for several days. There is no push yourself till you get use to it.

Click to shrink...

I cannot quote this hard enough. There is no pushing through VR motion sickness to 'earn' your VR legs. If you're feeling a bit queesy and you carry on, you will teach your brain that you should feel queesy when you put on a VR headset. It will become automatic.

You feel sick, you take off the headset. Come back later.

 

[Transistor]

1. Do not push yourself too hard. Stop at the first signs of feeling sick, if you push yourself too hard you will feel sick for several days. There is no push yourself till you get use to it. Play short sessions and you will begin to build a tolerance.

Click to shrink...

100%. If you try to power through it, you're just going to make yourself miserable.

Gotta find that sweet spot to gain your VR legs.

 

[Yesterzine]

Quoting myself here. Just watched the GTplanet preview of Gean Turismo 7. The VR version does exactly what I suggested :-)

The previewer also mentions that he got motion sick after five minutes in GT Sport VR. He played an hour of GT7 VR with no issues.

Gran Turismo 7 in PSVR2: Hands-On Impressions and New Gameplay Video

We got to go hands-on with Gran Turismo 7 and the new PlayStation VR 2 headset. Here's what we thought, along with some all-new gameplay footage.Join the GT7...

youtu.be

Click to shrink...

The frame rate is going to be a big part of this. But still that's excellent news.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

do motion sickness pills help? Like for boats?

I've been doing VR for a long time. Long enough to know that anything with weird locomotion is just a big no for me. But if something like that could help me get over the hump, I'd do it.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MtuO8ArCTo

I played this game for 30 minutes and was sick for 2 days straight. Instant refund. But yea, I'm very sensitive to the issue of moving being disassociated from my actual body.

Interestingly, this does not bother me in cockpit games at all, ever. Racing, driving, flying. As long as my brain can see and expect that the cockpit I'm in is NOT moving, anything else can move along fine. But if I can't see that cockpit at all times (like in Windlands), it's a wrap.

100%. If you try to power through it, you're just going to make yourself miserable.

Gotta find that sweet spot to gain your VR legs.

Click to shrink...

So it really is possible to build a tolerance? My Windlands experience scared me away from ever thinking about it again.

 

[Transistor]

So it really is possible to build a tolerance? My Windlands experience scared me away from ever thinking about it again.

Click to shrink...

It absolutely is. First five or ten sessions I'd pop a Dramamine before. Didn't need them after that.

 

[EvanSquared]

I'm pretty nausea-proof in VR. About 15 minutes into Windlands I had to stop and I didn't do any more VR for a couple of days; I've never gone back to Windlands. That and Scavenger's Odyssey, one of the games that came with the PSVR Worlds collection, are the worst VR nausea I've ever experienced (RIGS would be a slightly-more-distant third). That doesn't mean you just picked the worst game to try locomotion with, though; everyone's different, as far as we can tell.

As for motion sickness medication (primarily that means Dramamine, here in the US), I don't think I've ever heard anyone even trying it. I definitely haven't heard of anyone trying it and saying it worked for them. My guess is it wouldn't do anything, as VR sickness is really the opposite of motion sickness; with the former, the problem is your brain thinks you're in motion but your body says it isn't, with motion sickness your body knows you're in motion but your brain thinks it isn't.

 

[Cilidra]

So it really is possible to build a tolerance? My Windlands experience scared me away from ever thinking about it again.

Click to shrink...

The biggest factor is to stop immediatly if you fell weird (and ideally to stop before that).
Initially I could do more than 30 minute even with cockpit games before have some nausea.
Now I can do 5+ hours straight doing full stick locomotion, fast paced with lots of unatural crazy jumps (Borderlands 2).

Think is if you get sick, to train your brain that VR make you sick so it can get worse.
If you train your brain that vr is fine and normal then you get used to it.

 

[Primal Sage]

So it really is possible to build a tolerance? My Windlands experience scared me away from ever thinking about it again.

Click to shrink...

Absolutely. Windlands would be one of the worst games to start with. That's as hardcore as it gets. Work your way up before tackling something like that.

 

[The GOAT]

I cancelled my PSVR2 order today :( As much as I love the tech, and want it to succeed and thrive, I know it's going to sit unused. My motion sickness has worsened over the last year, where even 3rd person games, like Elden Ring or the Dead Space remake, triggers me. It really sucks :( It's completely changed my gaming habits and the type of games I play.

 

[DC5remy]

I cancelled my PSVR2 order today :( As much as I love the tech, and want it to succeed and thrive, I know it's going to sit unused. My motion sickness has worsened over the last year, where even 3rd person games, like Elden Ring or the Dead Space remake, triggers me. It really sucks :( It's completely changed my gaming habits and the type of games I play.

Click to shrink...

That's really sad you are having that issue. I love racing cars and doing ride alongs but lately have been getting very motion sick, especially if I'm a passenger. Not even Dramamine helps any more.

Have you been to a specialist? Lots of people say it's an inner ear issue.

 

[asmith906]

Weirdly enough I've never really gotten motion sickness from VR. I have my headset fitted to if I angle my head I can still see my surroundings since I tend to play in a smaller room. I wonder if that has anything to do with it since I'm always aware of my outside environment. I also take frequent breaks because my face tends to sweat a lot.

I actually find that teleporting feels kind of unnatural so I play things with smooth turning if possible


From all the games I've let people try on my quest this has been what I noticed.
Stuff like Boxing games and Beat Saber they don't really have an issue with.

Stuff like RE4 I've seen people get dizzy. So if you're prone to dizziness maybe try more stationary games where the focus is more on hand movement vs body movement if that makes sense.

 

[The GOAT]

That's really sad you are having that issue. I love racing cars and doing ride alongs but lately have been getting very motion sick, especially if I'm a passenger. Not even Dramamine helps any more.

Have you been to a specialist? Lots of people say it's an inner ear issue.

Click to shrink...

Thanks, man. I have been to specialists (Ophthalmologic and Auditory Neurologist), but everything checks out fine. MRI and all. I do have pretty shitty tinnitus in both ears, so I'm sure it's something to do with that. I'm really hoping PRP shots can help, but haven't been to a Dr. yet. The other Dr's more or less laughed them off or called them placebo. I think I'll see for myself soon.

 

[KnivesAndCoins]

Amazing thread. As someone who went through the wolfenstein sickness coming from a start with vectrex it was amazing to let my body orient itself with a new virtual perspective

 

[Glimlocker]

Yeah, nothing is probably ever going to help me.
I've played a fair amount of VR, and even the most innocuous experiences give me very mild nausea.
First-person games absolutely destroy me in a matter of minutes.

To illustrate my severity, I get motion sick while driving sometimes. And I'm talking about driving in real life.
I also almost threw up after playing Sonic 3D Blast for some reason.

All this to say - there are some of us that will likely never be 100% nausea-free in VR.
And that's totally fine - though unfortunate for some.

I'll just stick to 3rd person games for the most part - convenient, as they're the ones I've enjoyed the most so far.
And I don't really care enough about VR to try taking drugs or any other methods. It's just not worth it.
Short play sessions + 3rd person games are the way for me.

VR destroys me. Some games I can play for 1/2 hour straight, most it's a few minutes and I'm feeling the nausea coming on. Having a fan blowing air on my face helps quite a bit. Most of the comfort options do little to help. Teleport helps, but still gets me eventually.

I've purchased many different headsets (Vive, quest, psvr) because I love the idea of VR and want it to succeed. I've also pre purchased psvr2. Even if I know it'll cause me discomfort, I'll continue to try until I find my "VR legs".

Click to shrink...

Yep, just showing my support. I'm in the same boat.
I think VR is pretty cool for new experiences, which I'm all about, but haven't really been blown away by anything VR yet.
Possibly because I can't play first-person games for more than 10-15 minutes without getting incredibly nauseated.

 

[th1nk]

Does anyone know if the black silicone/plastic cover that shields the outside can also be removed from the PSVR2? I had to remove it from PSVR1 because it smelled so bad it caused nausea every time I smelled it.

Also, seeing a bit of your surroundings makes it much more comfortable to me to use, the isolation is weirding me out and I also think it helps a bit with the motion sickness.

 

[Freshmaker]

Project Cars 3 really tried its best to kill me. But that was mainly due to the camera angle it defaulted to. Who drives a car looking out from the front bumper?

I liked it a lot better when I figured out how to change the camera angle to something more in line with what I'd expect to drive a car from.

 

[Khasim]

My SO has a pretty strong motion sickness, she can't read or use her phone or ride a bus facing backwards, and she had issues in VR but having a fan blow at her face fixed all the issues, so I can confirm that he fan thing works. I use one often as well, not because of motion sickness though, but for ventilation.

 

[EvanSquared]

Does anyone know if the black silicone/plastic cover that shields the outside can also be removed from the PSVR2? I had to remove it from PSVR1 because it smelled so bad it caused nausea every time I smelled it.

Also, seeing a bit of your surroundings makes it much more comfortable to me to use, the isolation is weirding me out and I also think it helps a bit with the motion sickness.

Click to shrink...

Yes, it can be removed and clipped back on at will, just like the PSVR 1 gasket.

My SO has a pretty strong motion sickness, she can't read or use her phone or ride a bus facing backwards, and she had issues in VR but having a fan blow at her face fixed all the issues, so I can confirm that he fan thing works. I use one often as well, not because of motion sickness though, but for ventilation.

Click to shrink...

PSVR 2 has passive ventilation built into the headset, so there will be less need for a fan w/r/t heating issues, although obviously some will still use it as an anti-nausea measure.

 

[BlueManifest]

Teleport movement is the only way I can avoid vr motion sickness, if a game doesn't have that I can't play it

 

[ChoklitCow]

For anyone that gets very motion sick in a variety of other areas, I would recommend testing out equipment before doing a huge investment though. I definitely appreciate everyone's posts above (including the excellent OP) of how their bodies have grown accustomed to using VR, because there are a lot of great examples of what to do (and not to do) as well as techniques that have absolutely helped a lot of people. Myself included. All that said, there are limits and everyone's body is different. Unfortunately sometimes within the VR community the "VR legs" convo gets a little too one-sided basically saying "well I was able to do it, everyone can." I do not feel that has come across this way in this thread, but I will say over the years (especially around the time Boneworks came out), the conversation has gotten very conflicting at times.

I don't say that to scare anyone by any means, as I had a lot of fear jumping in because I can sometimes get temporarily motion sick even off a first person game if the FOV is weird. I then did not heed folks advice and tried powering through my first few attempts with VR sickness which made me almost give up. I was able to continue playing fine, I just wasn't enjoying myself. Fortunately over a fairly short amount of time I grew more and more accustomed, and as technology advanced things became even more comfortable. That said, I have a couple of friends that there are no amount of VR legs that help them. They basically have to form a routine before playing games, and even then they have reached their max comfortability after playing over years with multiple types of headsets. Developers have also talked about this while working with folks while they make their games. Some folks will always be limited in the amount of time they can play, or might just not enjoy the experience.

 

[th1nk]

Yes, it can be removed and clipped back on at will, just like the PSVR 1 gasket.


PSVR 2 has passive ventilation built into the headset, so there will be less need for a fan w/r/t heating issues, although obviously some will still use it as an anti-nausea measure.

Click to shrink...

Cool thanks, that will help a lot if it smells like chemicals again. 🤧

 

[Multiverse Moo]

Though this PSA was funny, it also leads to an important point.

Make sure to INFORM anyone else using your VR of the potential issues they may encounter (like feeling dizzy) so they don't try to power through it which usually ends up with them feeling sick and laying down for the whole rest of the day.


View: https://youtu.be/gRSAx4jNKFs

 

[Todu]

Apparently "Horizon : Call of The Mountain" can induce pretty severe motion sickness (reported in several reviews), even among veteran VR users. Be warned :/

 

[EvanSquared]

Weird; I've watched about ten reviews of the hardware, all of which talked about Call Of The Mountain, since it's the big tech showcase for the headset, and none of them mentioned that being a problem. I did notice some of the footage had vignetting on while climbing and some didn't, so obviously there's comfort options.

I would always recommend that folks new to VR start out with something that doesn't have full motion, though. Moss, in addition to being one of the best games on the platform, has you largely stationary as you interact with essentially a diorama of the game. Kayak VR is another launch game for PSVR 2 that's probably safer, given that you're sitting in a kayak the whole time, which gives you a stable (unless you can tip it over) frame of reference.

 

[SpartaNNNN]

When I'm on empty stomach, ti fixes the problem for me...