Race Sim Central
Rec.Autos.Simulators Archive

Driving Sims & Epilepsy

12 posts by 9 people · 10 May 1998 - 19 May 1998

DPHI 10 May 1998#408044
Hi gang, I'm fairly new to driving sims, started with ICR2 a year ago and now have GP2, F1RS, TOCA, CPR (for sale...; ) and many demos. A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with epilepsy caused by a motorcycle crash/head injury. Yes, I had a helmet on! The concussion seems to have caused a problem with the optic nerve in my right eye. Medication controls the problem so I don't think about it much. I first noticed an epilipsy warning label in the TOCA documentation, and one day while driving at Silverstone for the first time in severe weather ( lot's of lightning ), I began to experience vision problems, which will sometimes precede a siezure. I stopped playing and the effects wore off quickly. Days later, I was about half way through a full race in F1RS and began to feel horrible. My vision started to blur and my head was reeling, I could barely get out of my chair and lie down on the floor! My Question to the group is, Does anyone else in the group have epilepsy and have problems like this? I'm hoping it might be a vision/inner ear problem, the doctors are checking, but I'm just wondering if anyone experiences these effects. I do not want to give up driving sims, it's bad enough I had to give up bikes! Thanks, Don
Krisstia 10 May 1998#408045
Video games have been known to enduce muscle twitching which is a sign of (i think, not quite sure) epilepsy. Nintendo 6 or 8 years ago included a piece if yellow paper warning of the possible effects, etc. -- Thank You Krisstian
Hi, I don't have epilepsy, but I'am visually impaired. I am blind in my left eye and about 5% vision in my right. Sometimes racing sims bother me, I get sort of tired and I may get a headache. I usually take breaks and walk away from the computer. I know some purists don't use it, but that's what the save game feature is for! I also try not to consintrate too hard looking at the screen, i.e. I'll listen to my engines pitch instead of maybe reading the MPH or what gear I am in, in GP2. I really like NASCAR 2 because the spotter tells me what's going on! (where wrecks are, my lap times, it's awesome!, if the spotter even gives more info in N3 I'll be very happy!). I find one thing that really drives my eye crazy is a racing sim that varying frame rate. The more constant the frame rate, the better! I don't know about TOCA, is there a way to turn off the lightening? I hope you don't have to give up racing sims, I know I couldn't and I've never driven anything other than a go kart in my entire life! I was really worried about my vision in general during my Christmas exams. I was writing an assembly programming exam and I started to see blue & green spots. When I would get up or move my head my vision would go completely for a few seconds! (freaked me out!). Luckly I got the docs didn't find anything, and it only happened a couple of times during the next week. It wore off after 3-4 hours, the docs thought it was an "optical migrane", maybe sort of like what happend to Dale Earnhardt at Darlington last fall, well, he had a "migrane type event" anyway. It can be nerve racking when you get any type of vision change, it sure makes me think about of every aspect of my life that involves my sight, even racing sims! Best of luck, John
Jason Monds 12 May 1998#408287
I don't get sick, to throw up, playing Quake either; however, once I start watching someone else play --- argh. This had me thinking. The problem is that you don't know where your friend will be going. You want to go left, he turns right and causes you to get nauseous. I'm wondering if the solution is the mouse sensitivity. Try setting the mouse more/less sensitive, such that the amount you turn on the screen matches your expected rotation. This should keep your brain in sync with the action on the screen. You could also try to turn slower and more controlled. These are just my opinions, I'm not saying they will cure or make sense. If you want anything expanded upon, I will try my best. Jason.
Quoted text (12 lines)> in the group have epilepsy and > >have problems like this? I'm hoping it might be a vision/inner ear problem, th > >e > >doctors are checking, but I'm just wondering if anyone experiences these > >effects. I do not want to give up driving sims, it's bad enough I had to give > >up bikes! > I don't have epilepsy and in fact I consider myself a rather healthy person. > Yet I can't play Quake type of game, it makes me want to throw up. > Tomb raider does the same to me but I find out if I don't play it for a prolong > period, the problem isn't quite as bad. Also improving the frame rate > with better hardward does help a bit.
Ji 14 May 1998#408514
My vision is excellent but I have often experienced the same sort of thing, in particular with first person games and TombRaider. I thought is was just me. I loaded up Doom I and Wolfenstein 3D a while back and was about to throw up after a few minutes of playing. All the rapidly moving VGA textures! Gave me a headache for the rest of the night. I wonder if there is a particular speed or resolution that is more likely to induce this nausea etc. Might be a good idea for programming companies to research before they are slapped with a law suit! >I don't have epilepsy and in fact I consider myself a rather healthy person. >Yet I can't play Quake type of game, it makes me want to throw up. >Tomb raider does the same to me but I find out if I don't play it for a prolong >period, the problem isn't quite as bad. Also improving the frame rate >with better hardward does help a bit.
Tony Powel 16 May 1998#408653
12 years ago i was diagnosed as having epileptic seizures due to the image given by a TV screen and sitting to close to it (Must be a refresh rate thing) The specialist at the hospital suggested an unusual remedy of which i swear by today - Polaroid glasses - or more specifically...glasses with polaroid lenses fitted (you know....the sunglasses type lense) For the last 16 years - i have suffered no further seizures and i sit DAMN close to the monitor!!! Hope that helps a bit, Tony.
DPHI 16 May 1998#408654
Do you mean Polaroid Lenses or Polarized Lenses? There is a big difference. Thanks, I would really like to see a solution to this! Don
difference. I think he said "polaroid". If he meant "polarized" he would have said it. The polaroid lense, as explained, is the sunglass type lense. The polarized is not the sunglass type lense. So he said it was the sunglass type lense, which means he's talking about the polaroid lense. It is not polarized-- why in heavens would you think that is what he said when he makes it clear that he's speaking of polaroid and not polarized. Are you looking for attention or something? Wouldn't it be better to send the guy some email? This is not a seizure newsgroup-- and I'm getting dizzy just writing this. Please, take this elsewhere. :) Thank You, Alanb
Mudcat10 17 May 1998#408748
How about this- dont sit so close to the t.v and you wont have the problem.j/k
Tony Powel 17 May 1998#408749
Yes it is definately Polaroid and not polarized Don. Ignore alan.....the original post was clearly defined as a problem relating to driving sims. Alan.......shut the *** up - if you don't like it - don't read it - no-one asked you to read a 1k message.
> Do you mean Polaroid Lenses or Polarized Lenses? There is a big difference. > Thanks, I would really like to see a solution to this! > Don If I had 2 Polaroids strapped to my face, it would be so much easier to take screen shots! 8) ...jk! I hope you find a solution. Cheers! Marc -- Marc J. Nelson Sim Racing News - http://www.simnews.com <remove '_*_' before replying>
DPHI 19 May 1998#408895
ROTFLMAO!!!! Thanks Marc, I needed that, I was just totally flamed for beginning this thread. I just hope the poor sob never has to suffer this fate... I recall a photo products convention I attented a few years ago where Polaroid had a guy running around the convention dressed as a giant Talking Polaroid camera! Wouldn't that look good on a resume! Don

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