It seems that almost every new game these days is in 3D. It started with Wolfenstein 3D and Doom and the other first-person shooters. Then it spread to adventure and arcade games, like Morpheus and the revamped Centipede. Now it's even showing up in some non-games software.
It's all great fun, unless you, like me, happen to be one of the estimated 20 - 40 percent of people who suffer from simulator sickness. Simulator sickness is the virtual world's cousin to motion sickness, and it takes the form of strained eyesight, nausea, vertigo, headaches and vomiting. Of those who suffer simulator sickness, more than half feel only a twinge when playing Quake or perhaps Midtown Madness. For the remainder – still a sizeable percentage – the symptoms are so bad they simply cannot play these games.
It seems games developers don't really care about the 17-20 percent of us who suffer badly. Somehow, this lack of concern feels familiar. I guess that's because I'm also a member of that other minority, left-handers, who are constantly ignored by most joystick and mouse manufacturers.
The real worry is that the 3D mania will spread to other software and we'll start seeing 3D databases (in fact, they already exist), disk defragmenters and even operating systems. Let's hope it doesn't go so far.
It isn't hard, after all, for software designers to make their 3D software less sickening. For example, Prince of Persia 3D places the 3D perspective a few steps behind the main character, instead of through his eyes, as is the case in first-person shooters. This simple shift in perspective is enough to alleviate most of the symptoms of simulator sickness. Ultra-smooth scrolling and fine control of the scrolling speed can also help.
I know many game players love the 3D trend. As a (semi-dormant) programmer, I can't help but admire the realism of modern 3D game engines. But I hope that software developers wake up to the fact that they're making a sizeable slice of their potential customers sick to their stomachs.
Poll
Links:
Are you sick of Games? A long and readable article from LoonyGames magazine. It includes links to much of the research done into simulator sickness.
FlightStick Pro CH Products' FlightStick Pro is a well-designed, rugged joystick that's great for both left and right handers. It may not have the latest design, but it'll last forever.
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© 1999 Rose Vines
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