VR is here to stay. Whether you are using a Google Cardboard, a Samsung Gear, a Vive, a Rift, or a Playstation VR (PSVR), the next stage in gaming is virtual reality. VR offers a new dimension of immersion when it comes to bringing a video-game world to life. Unfortunately for many of us, this experience can be spoiled by motion sickness. Today, I’ll be covering some of the ways you can remedy motion sickness so you can continue to enjoy exploring new worlds, dodging bullets, and running away from zombies.

By the way, if you are a skeptic of VR believing that it is a gimmick, I urge you to give it a try. Check out a local GameStop or other video game stores to see if they are having demos. It is really worth a try!

Motion sickness is the worst!

I have terrible motion sickness. As a passenger in a car, reading, turning, and reaching out for an object all cause motion sickness. I cannot walk in a moving bus or train, and I get quite dizzy being on a boat. I once tried sitting in an IMAX movie theater and I almost threw up. Occasionally, I feel nauseous when there is heavy turbulence while flying on a plane. Clearly, I have a very significant issue with motion sickness. But I am NOT going to let that get in the way of gaming in VR.

My Experience with VR

For a while, I wanted a Google Cardboard, but never invested in one. I was on the fence for a while on getting either the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive, and then the PSVR came out. I reserved it on day one, and was lucky enough to get a chance to try it out at a local GameStop. I was the first customer in that store that day. After the Sony representative set up his area and the PSVR, I finally sat down, put the headset on, and said I was up for anything. I soon found myself on the passenger side of a getaway vehicle trying to gun down enemies from cars and motorcycles approaching us from all angles. It was my first look at London Heist, and my first taste of VR gaming. I was HOOKED!!! There were other games to demo, but I watched on as other people tried VR for the first time. I paid for my bundle and Batman VR, promptly headed home, and the rest is history.

Since then, I have had amazing experiences with so many games with notable ones being Batman: Arkham VR, London Heist, Superhot, EVE Valkyrie, and now Skyrim VR.

On a 1-5 scale, here is how I would rate the amount of motion sickness I experienced with the following games, with 1 being Little to No Motion Sickness experienced and 5 being “I am about to lose my lunch any second now!”

1: Batman: Arkham VR, Superhot, London Heist, Thumper, Job Simulator, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Ocean Descent, Danger Ball, Tumble VR

2: Robot Rescue, Allumette, Headmaster, Wayward Sky

3: EVE Valkyrie, X-Wing VR Mission, COD The Jackal VR Mission, REZ Infinite

4: Skyrim VR (teleportation), Farpoint, Battlezone, VR Luge

5: Skyrim VR (free movement), Driveclub VR, Dirt Rally VR, Resident Evil 7, RIGS

All of the games rated 5 I have played for less than 15 minutes each. It’s THAT bad. VR Luge and Battlezone, I did a few rounds of and I never came back. I sold my Farpoint bundle after about 1 hour of gameplay. Skyrim VR, however, I am clocking in at 1-3 hours each day since its release a few days ago. And I intend on keeping that game and returning to it again and again.

Remedies (most effective first)

These things have COMPLETELY changed the way I play VR. Without the Sea-Bands, I rate Skyrim VR at motion sickness level 4 with teleportation and 5 with free movement. With the Sea-Bands, I rate Skyrim VR at motion sickness level 1 with free movement!!!

I was initially skeptical with how an acu-pressure point works, but it has worked and now I can roam around Skyrim for hours at a time with free movement without any motion sickness. No medicine, no ointment, just acupuncture pressure. It’s literally just a cloth band with a plastic ball that protrudes to apply pressure onto your wrist/forearm. This is my biggest recommendation! You can pick it up at any local drugstore near other nausea medicine like Dramamine.

Ginger is naturally known to help with nausea. I buy uncrystallized candied ginger roots from Trader Joe’s. They are not overly sweet or sugary. The sweetness is just right, and they work well for me to keep in my mouth for the flavor while playing my VR games. Your other options are chewy ginger candies from stores like Whole Foods. These have helped me with EVE Valkyrie and the X-Wing mission.

3. Trick your mind by moving with your game

This is done by moving your head AND your body with the motion of your game. This is how I can play games like EVE Valkyrie, X-Wing, and Jackal VR missions. I anticipate the movement of my spaceships and as I turn, I lean my body and turn my head in the same direction of my ship. If you drive a car, the principle is the same. When you make a left or right turn, you are never really just staring straight through the windshield. Instead, your line of sight pans to either left or right in order to anticipate your turn and avoid any collision toward where your car is headed.

4. Turn the fan on

I have a living room tower fan that I put on medium power either on oscillate or steady blast on me while I play. The burst of fresh air circulating and hitting me somehow works. Whether it is the feeling of motion along with the game or just feeling cool, I just know I’m not getting the sweats when I am playing.

5. Time

This one is a tricky one. You have to work with time in both short and long periods.

Short: Keep your sessions in short bursts. Once you start feeling sick, take a break. Do not push it.

Long: With many short sessions over a long period of time, you should start to see yourself adapting to the VR motion. Basically, we are practicing low reps over a veeeerrrryyy loooonggg period.

Other things to keep in mind

Check out the settings/menu/options

Make sure to check out the Settings or Options of each game for any VR settings you might be able to adjust specifically for motion. I know that Skyrim VR offers multiple options for movement such as free motion or teleportation, as well as snap turning or gradual turning. Windlands also has similar settings.

Enhancements

Now, I myself have never gone as far as taking any over-the-counter nausea medicine to curb my motion sickness, but I know some people have. If you are curious, you could go down this route. You should consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns though.

If you have any other recommendations or suggestions on how to manage VR motion sickness, let me know. Until next time, happy gaming!