Nintendo dismisses 3DS headaches story

By Robert Purchese Published 5 April, 2011

"Recent reports are incorrect."

Update 2: Huge US retail chain GameStop has chimed in too, insisting it isn't seeing an unusually high number of returns. "This is something that we are not experiencing," said a spokesperson.

Update: Currys has responded, telling Eurogamer, "We have not noticed a big increase in returns [with the 3DS]."

Original story: A report this morning by The Sun newspaper claiming the 3DS "has left thousands with dizziness and headaches", resulting in "record return levels", has been refuted to Eurogamer by Nintendo, HMV and GAME - the three companies the tabloid mentions.

"Recent reports are incorrect," Nintendo told Eurogamer. "The number of calls and emails with queries on Nintendo 3DS is in fact well below the rate experienced during past hardware launches and having spoken with our retail partners there are only a handful of people who have actually gone into stores to request a refund."

"Nintendo 3DS was designed with a 3D depth slider that lets users adjust the 3D effect so that everyone can still enjoy this product. When viewing any kind of 3D images, including movies and on TV, some people might experience minor discomfort.

"The effects are short term and have no lasting effect; most people can continue after taking a break."

GAME revealed that, "We've had less than five people complain that they feel sick and want to return [the 3DS]."

So where did The Sun pull "thousands" from, then? Overall trade-in numbers, HMV explained.

"We've had less than five people complain that they feel sick and want to return [the 3DS]."

GAME

"Contrary to a report in today's media, we would like to make clear that we are not aware of any manufacturing fault with the 3DS console - which we have seen huge demand for, and that we have not issued any refunds for it and nor are we doing," HMV told Eurogamer, also scotching the Sun's claim that HMV was "refunding fully".

HMV added: "A number of customers are, however, choosing to take us up on our pre-played games offer - which is a totally different thing, where they can trade-in previously purchased games products, including the 3DS if they so choose, against any other products that we stock in-store up to a pre-determined set value.

GAME went on to point out that under the Sale of Goods Act, refunds cannot be given for a device allegedly making someone feel ill. Refunds can only be offered, GAME explained, should a product be technically faulty.

Nintendo also highlighted that more than 430 GAME stores and 150 HMV stores have 3DS display units to show to the public before they buy the machine. Nintendo also knows of "a large number" of shops using their own 3DS stock to show to potential customers.

"Our advice for anyone concerned about potential side-effects or for anyone who just wants to take a look at a Nintendo 3DS is to ask to see and play one before they buy," said Nintendo. "Most stores will only be too happy to oblige."

The Sun used the personal testimony of Sundeep Tailor, 27, who claimed to have felt ill after three minutes of playing the 3DS with his son.

The 3DS was released at the end of March and has gone on to become the UK's fastest selling piece of Nintendo hardware ever - notching 113,000 sales during opening weekend.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (96) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • AcidSnake #1 1 year ago

    GAME revealed that, "We've had less than five people complain that they feel sick and want to return [the 3DS]."

    So, what, four?

  • ryandsimmons #2 1 year ago

    The Sun make up a story? Never!

    http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/hyg...
    Edited by ryandsimmons at 05/04/11 @ 11:04

  • Redeye #3 1 year ago

    Anything printed in The Sun = autofail, multiplied by a pinch of salt the size of Gibraltar.

  • madgerald Verified Studio Head of PR & Marketing, Colossal Games LTD #4 1 year ago

    I got a 3DS on launch weekend; I only play it with the 3D off now as it does my head in when I constantly move in and out of the sweet spot. It's a handheld console, my hands move!

    Thinking of returning it.

  • Phantom_Dynamite #5 1 year ago

    Playing the 3DS made my eyes, ears and nose bleed then I saw the Devil.

  • MisterCraig #6 1 year ago

    Alright,

    Who's buying the Sun in the Eurogamer office!? Did it come with a free packet of Malteasers or something?

  • binky #7 1 year ago

    Whilst I have no doubt the Sun's story is shit, I do find the "less than 5 people want to return" as equally bollocks. I've returned mine, as did a friend. So that's 2. Are GAME saying that me and my friend amount to half of the returns in total? I very much doubt that.

  • geeza2020 #8 1 year ago

    the only thing about the 3ds that gives me a headache is the bludgeon of a price tag.

  • rojjer #9 1 year ago

    Its well known that not everyone can deal with the stereo effect of 3D systems, and its not all 3D systems if that makes sense. i.e. someone might be ok watching a stereo presentation in the cinema, but experience nausia/feel unwell whilst viewing a stereo feature using shutter glasses/passive screen

    This is non-news.

  • GamesConnoisseur #10 1 year ago

    I experienced only slight odd nauseasduring the first couple of hours but none since and max up 3D too, a pretty neat thing.

    People asking for refund, dont they know they dont have to max the 3d volume? Indeed turn it off or on lower setting toget the sweet spot?

    As for Sun, i m amazed at how people can actually carry on keeping the whole cheap sensational thrills of idiotic tabloids going and cheapen the human race in the process!!

    I read the tabloids once every occasion, whilst in a barber etc, and still find those full of just celebs, gossips, views, adverts, gamblings, and very tiny, if any, of proportions in an actual professional news reportings.

    EG gives journalists a far better job than the Sun or the other red rags!

  • asphaltcowboy #11 1 year ago

    They can hardly be surprised, all the shops are running that retarded "trade it back in after 2 weeks" and essential "rent" the console for £20 or whatever. Idiots.

  • Beano #12 1 year ago

    I can confirm the 3DS causes serious headache and dizziness.

    Last weekend I was playing Pilot Wings on my 3DS for three hours while finishing a bottle of Ardbeg Ten - the next day I had terrible headache and was very dizzy. Think I will be returning my 3DS soon!
    Edited by Beano at 05/04/11 @ 11:18

  • sonicyoda #13 1 year ago

    VIDEO GAMES ARE EVIL
    LET'S MAKE UP SOME SHIT ABOUT THIS NEW THING THAT SEEMS TO BE QUITE POPULAR

  • Buenos_Estente #14 1 year ago

    although they may be returning it using another excuse as they dont accept refunds if your ill!

    id like it to work properly for everyone tho, as i want one and get motion sick sometimes!

  • Kay #15 1 year ago

    binky, I thought you sold yours at CEX? That doesn't really count as a GAME return. :)

    Anyway, not surprised that stories like this are popping up, and I'm glad they're being refuted. Everyone's eyes are different, so it's only natural that some people have odd reactions. That's why there's a freaking slider on there! Always keep the 3D low at first.

    And yes, demo pods have been available pretty much everywhere since before launch, so I don't know where they got this "you can't try before you buy" bollocks from.

  • Toothball #16 1 year ago

    I ran into a friend the other day who had yet to experience a 3DS and was worried about all these stories of headaches, melting eyes and all that stuff the tabloids seem to have been making up. I gave him a go on my 3DS and moments later all thoughts of any ill effects were gone.

    I've no doubt it's taken a little bit of getting used to. I found it initially confusing because after many years of looking at 2D images on LCD screens, seeing 3D images is a different experience. After an hour of so with the device, most people seem to get used to seeing the effect. For me it was a lot like my initial forays into 3D gaming in the traditional sense. When I first started playing the likes of Mario 64 and Goldeneye, I ran into a small amount of motion sickness. I stuck with it and after a while my head cleared. Since then, not so much as a flutter.

    This should all be forgotten about soon enough though, much like any story published in the Sun.

  • sonicyoda #17 1 year ago

    I find that owning a Kindle makes for terrible headaches. More so than the 3DS. Mainly because I've been punching people that own them in the face.

  • flaming.carrot #18 1 year ago

    I got a headache sitting through Avatar in 3D (but that might be because it was utterly shite). Guess the 3DS isn't for me either.

  • KrazyFace #19 1 year ago

    I think I might be one of those effected by the 3D, unfortunatly. I had a go on one a few weekends ago at my local GameStation and after playing Pilot Wings (for only 10mins) I felt my eyes going "weird". I went in with the belief the experience would make me want one even more, but came away with the opposite opinion.

    I did used to suffer from sivere migranes and have to keep a check on my caffine intake now (also red wine and cheese!) but I never expected such a quick reaction from my self concerning the 3DS. Shame too, coz I really wanted one.

  • chrisjm #20 1 year ago

    more than 5 people get a headache from reading eurogamer comments.

  • Retro_ #21 1 year ago

    There are bound to be a certain number of people affected by the 3D screen, so this is hardly a suprise. Saying that, I won't be buying a 3DS myself, will wait for the eventual appearance of the NGP.

  • Mashum #22 1 year ago

    It makes my eyes ache sometimes - I just switch the 3d off or even go and do something else for a while, the problem is solved.

  • tomjoadsghost #23 1 year ago

    "this MP3 player is too loud, it is making teh headaches - i demand a refund"

  • roz123 #24 1 year ago

    All it does is make you feel a little dizzy. Anyone complaining really needs to man up as its not that bad and after a while you get used to it. You can always play with the slider off unlike in the cinema where if you feel funny you have to deal with it or leave.

  • homerramone #25 1 year ago

    I have a friend who thinks he may get a headache when playing the 3ds.

  • MisterCraig #26 1 year ago

    I think it's an understandable concern if headaches are caused relatively quickly. But to the people who say playing 3+ hours on a small handheld screen causes a headache, well, that's unsurprising really isn't it?

    Maybe take a break and watch T.V

  • maxb #27 1 year ago

    i had a go on one in gamestation a couple of weeks ago and it did give me a headache within about 5 minutes but for years i have suffered from eye strain,even reading causes me to get headaches and thats why i tryed it first to see how it would affect me!
    i think it makes sense to try it first if your a bit worried how it will affect you and even if your not!

  • Macronx #28 1 year ago

    The Sun are talking rubbish! I have a 3DS and have had no problems at all, neither have any of my friends who bought one, neither has anyone I have spoken to online. No problems at all. The 3DS is a great device and I love it to pieces.

    I hope Nintendo sue the Sun and that disgusting worthless rag gets shut down for good. It's as bad as the daily mail. Frankly anyone who believes anything they say is a complete idiot.

  • roz123 #29 1 year ago

    @maxb you need to visit an opticians

  • trjp #30 1 year ago

    I love how a 'news'paper completely misses the not unimportant point that even if the 3DS did give you headaches, you'd still not be entitled to a refund - that's just not how consumer laws work...

    If they did you'd be entitled to take books back when the story didn't engage you personally - or clothes because they don't suit you (I realise 90% of women do this anyway but it's still not a legal requirement for stores to accept em!!) - or games because they're shit or don't even work on your PC *coughs*

  • Toothball #31 1 year ago

    @KrazyFace

    That sounds fairly normal for a first go. Your eyes do feel a bit weird to begin with as you're used to looking at 2D screens, while it is obviously different. I was confused to start with when parts of the screen looked out of focus, but then I realised that it was because they were far away. You may consider giving it another go if you get the chance, as that weird eye feeling tends to pass after not too much longer.

    Obviously though you know your own head better than anyone here, so if it starts to go further than the eyes then you may have trouble with it. It's worth another shot though.

  • StolenGlory #32 1 year ago

    The Sun.

    Bullshit. We love it.

  • solidSnake04 #33 1 year ago

    The Sun make up a story? Never!

    [link url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/hyg...
    ]http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/hyg...[/link]


    My god !

  • drxym #34 1 year ago

    I doubt it's resulted in thousands of returns but there is absolutely no doubt it causes headaches, eyestrain and nausea. If it didn't why have a slider on the device at all? If it didn't why advise that kiddies under 7 shouldn't play it? If it didn't why go to extraordinary lengths in the documentation and software telling people to take breaks? If it didn't, why have several reviews stated clearly how it does, how it's more effort to use than a 2D display and how they ended up dialling down the 3D?

    Clearly it does. What is doubtful is it has resulted in a large number of returns.
    Edited by drxym at 05/04/11 @ 12:08

  • Rack #35 1 year ago

    That the 3d effect is unusable as it causes headaches if used for more than 5 minutes won't affect the day 1 sales as has already been mentioned you can't return a product just because it has a crippling design flaw. But hopefully it will sink the prospects of them ripping more people off with such a worthless gimmick. Unless of course they can get all the outlets they advertise in to put a positive spin on the story. Hmm...

  • CallousB #36 1 year ago

    I had some eyestrain on the first day and struggled with the effect at full on in Pilotwings (so I turned the effect down) but after a couple days later I could play at full strangth for hours (well for as long as the battery lasts). I certainly wouldn't consider playing in 2D now as the 3D effect is too damn good.

    I suspect a problem for Nintendo now will be people trying it once and returning it..rather than giving it a a couple days to get used to the effect.

    Of course stories like this will damage sales and likely lead to more returns. Which is a shame for Nintendo/3rd parties/retail in the UK...but that's the British media for you.

    I have a feeling the 3DS will sell far,far fewer than the DS range (although still do well)...but much like the Dreamcast will end up being revered among the core of the core.
    Edited by CallousB at 05/04/11 @ 12:46

  • KrazyFace #37 1 year ago

    @roz123, Quote:
    "Anyone complaining really needs to man up as its not that bad and after a while you get used to it. You can always play with the slider off"

    That's not really the point now is it? And I don't take kindly to being told to "man up" when it concerns an afflition I've had almost my whole life. If you were wheelchair bound and liked watching football, I wouldn't tell you you need to "man up! It's not that bad, just get out your chair and play" would I!?

    Unfortunatly I have sensitive eyes which means the 3D effects my eyes in a negative way, so buying it would be pointless as its biggest trick is the 3D. Clearly there are some of us that this device is wasted on. So "man up" and deal with it buddy.

    EDIT: @Toothball, I hear what you're saying and I'd be more than willing to give it another go but I fear my instinct is right. As you say I know my head better than anyone and as a small child, I had to learn when a migrane was coming. As a result I felt that happening after looking at the 3DS for what little time I spent with it. Also, I might just mention, the shop was strangely quiet and I could have spent much longer on it but chose not to because of what my eyes were telling my brain. If you insist, I'd risk a 3 day migrane to find out again though!
    Edited by KrazyFace at 05/04/11 @ 12:21

  • Floppy #38 1 year ago

    Considering most people have been conditioned to look at a fixed focus two dimentional flat screen, your eyes are bound to get a bit fatigued looking at a 3D image. Like the old Magic Eye pictures in the '90s, your focus is actually through the screen and not the screen surface itself.

    I can well believe people are getting headaches and getting fatigued; because your eye muscles simply aren't used to it yet. Over time this could be a non issue, and I believe to be actually good for your eyes by not focusing on a flat surface close-up.

  • wizlon #39 1 year ago

    I dunno about the 3DS* but these stories are doing my head in.

    *I do have a 3DS and have used it every day without a headache... except one day but I'm pretty sure that was a hangover.

  • fiery_jackass #40 1 year ago

    Perhaps tabloids' perpetual exaggeration/invention of stories within a *mainstream activity* for the young will pre-emptively prepare more people to dismiss their bullshit as they get older. I mean, in my day it was mostly horseshit about drugs or niche music or whatever, which exposed fewer of my peers to their disgusting take on journalism. Fuck them.

  • Geordiemp #41 1 year ago

    Tried a 3DS at the weekend and it seemed OK.

    Then out of curiosity went into a TV shop and tried a 46 Plasma Panny with 3D glasses. Wow...

    Just ruined the 3DS for me, want a 3D telly now (shame already got a 46 inch panny, cant throw it away !)....

  • roz123 #42 1 year ago

    @Krazyface.

    Sorry, that "man up" comment wasn't aimed at people who have actually got bad vision and genuine problems with there eyesight. It was aimed at people with good vision who are moaning about the slight dizzyness the 3d effect can cause you. Its not that bad and it goes away quickly if you give it a few goes.

  • Subdominator #43 1 year ago

    Wait til you see the new 55" Samsung 3D LED tv. Blows your mind. :) I do get headaches with the 3DS but I run it in 2D, so longer battery life, fine by me.

  • tomjoadsghost #44 1 year ago

    I've never had a lot of time for TV's, y'see my parents took me to the cinema once when i was a child and it just ruined it for me.

  • DDevil #45 1 year ago

    Never forget kids - The Sun lies. Never ever believe a word written in that sorry excuse of a rag.

  • sega #46 1 year ago

    Let's face it, kids are never going to go back to playing "hoop and stick" like most newspaper readers would like. I think readers of The Sun should be less concerned about their children's latest games console and more concerned that they might actually start reading The Sun.

    Edit: incidently I just looked up hoop and stick on Wikipedia out of curiosity and read this: "Throughout the eighteen forties a barrage of denunciations appeared in the papers against "The Hoop Nuisance," in which their iron hoops were blamed for inflicting severe injuries to pedestrians' shins" - was no doubt a forerunner to The Sun. Lesson here - kids, all fun is bad for you!
    Edited by sega at 05/04/11 @ 12:50

  • DreadedWalrus #47 1 year ago

    Regarding the "less than 5" returns total thing, it wouldn't surprise me if the Sun simply called up an individual store, and that particular store said "We've had less than five people" e.t.c., and then The Sun is terrible at reporting as per usual and makes it out as though Game as a whole only had 5 returns.

    On the other hand, if Game as a whole is claiming to have only had 5 returns, I find that difficult to believe.

  • 32768Colours #48 1 year ago

    I didn't have any problems when I played it for 10 minutes in a Gamestation just before launch, but I don't think that's a long enough session to determine whether I'd get sick or dizzy from playing it.

    In spite of The Sun's hyperbole, motion sickness would be a reasonable consideration for me, as a small number of games in the past have made me feel rather dizzy and sick (sadly, one of them being Half Life 2. Gutted!). They were just games though, so easily returned or traded in. A £230 console would need a bit more than anecdotes, spin and media hear-say to convince me to take the risk.

  • DreadedWalrus #49 1 year ago

    EG, why don't you just add famalegoods.com e.t.c. to a spam blacklist, not allowing comments to be posted if they have that URL in them? At least that way if they want to keep spamming they have to keep coming up with new URLs, rather than being able to get away with it scot-free for seemingly months on end.
    Edited by DreadedWalrus at 05/04/11 @ 12:53

  • sickpuppysoftware #50 1 year ago

    I've no idea if I'd get a headache as the Game, Tesco and Asda near me don't have demo units so I can't find out for myself.

    I'll probably also wait until it stops being a "look at all the games you've played years ago now in 3D" device. Maybe it's peering through the abyss of time that's causing the headaches?

  • Vanmunt #51 1 year ago

    Problem is, people believe what they read and I have had a call from and old friend of mine reporting the article as fact.

  • Daeltaja #52 1 year ago

    Sorry Nintendo, but my eyes and head says differently.

  • morgan71 #53 1 year ago

    What a load of nonsense.

    Also Sundeep Tailor? The clue is the name... surely it's Sandeep Tailor?

  • Toothball #54 1 year ago

    @KrazyFace

    Fair enough, if you find that weird eyes are a prelude to migraines then you're probably right. I just mentioned it as I had the weird eyes thing to begin with despite no history of migraines and such. I've seem people suffering them so I couldn't really say that I'd insist you choose to have a migraine, but it'd be a shame to miss out if they weren't related. Brains are pretty weird in all.

  • gooner77 #55 1 year ago

    well it could have been worse for Sundeep Tailor (sp) what if they had bought the Virtual Boy ?

    [link url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Boy
    ]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Boy
    [/link]

    For those of you too young to remember

  • dr_zoidthrob #56 1 year ago

    It gave me a killer headache after having a good play at the last GameCity Nights. The screen looks better without the 3D as well (maybe release a non-3D enabled version, eh Nintendo)

    EDIT: Woo! Neggage! Seriously, why? Because it gave me a headache?

    Or becuase the idea of a lower-cost, non-3D version for those who don't want it/ see it as a gimmick/ can't use it due to medical reasons wouldn't be a sodding clever idea that would help Nintendo sell more games?
    Edited by dr_zoidthrob at 05/04/11 @ 16:34

  • Manic_Miner #57 1 year ago

    Special offer - 5,000 Nintendo stars gets you a free packet of nurofen

    Edit - typos
    Edited by Manic_Miner at 05/04/11 @ 13:29

  • JetSetWilly #58 1 year ago

    I love it that the 3DS comes with a switch for negating the whole point of the console.

  • SlackMaster #59 1 year ago

    I tend not to play it all that much as I've no games worth playing atm. I find can't play it for too long without getting eye strain but if I take a break and/or switch the 3D I'm ok.

  • TonyHarrison #60 1 year ago

    Miyamoto ate my hamster.

  • Beano #61 1 year ago

    "I love it that the 3DS comes with a switch for negating the whole point of the console. "

    In fairness, the switch is primarily used to adjust the level of 3D, but good point :)

  • Raiko101 #62 1 year ago

    The first time I played it I got a headache and had eyestrain. That was after nearly 2 hours play. I've played it every day since and i've not had a headache since, and my eyes have adjusted to it perfectly.

  • simsini #63 1 year ago

    I've had a 3DTV for nearly a year and watch Sky 3D, Blu-ray 3D and play the Nintendo 3DS regularly without a problem. Anyone suffering nausea and eye strain must have other health problems, for example motion sickness.

    Does that mean I should be able to return a new car if I get motion sickness, of course not. Same applies here with the 3DS.

  • slippysloppy #64 1 year ago

    My great grandmother still thinks the radio is talking to her.

  • rudedudejude #65 1 year ago

    EG, in your article you state that the Sun is a 'newspaper'!

    Whahahaha! You mean comic for adults, right?

  • KrazyFace #66 1 year ago

    @roz123: Fair doo's mate, maybe I jumped down you're neck a little too fast eh? All is cool.

    @Toothball: Thing is, I really would like one and the second I set eyes on it I was pretty impressed by it, so I'm willing to give it another go. I suppose my mind is just used to the warning signs of migranes so I freak out a little when I felt that "weirdness" in my eyes. That said, LOTS of people are saying the same thing, so I might just get away with it! I'll try one again for longer and see what happens....

  • Ror1984 #67 1 year ago

    Wait, wait, wait... there are words in The Sun..? I thought it was all pictures.

  • Collymilad #68 1 year ago

    Virtual Boy 2.

  • Jamiesan #69 1 year ago

    Why are people citing the fact that the manual recommends taking a break every 30 minutes? That's been a standard disclaimer in console and game manuals since the PS1, possibly earlier!

    Like people have said, treat the 3D slider like a volume slider for your eyes. You wouldn't max out the audio volume, see if it deafens you, then turn it down would you? You start low and work your way up to a comfortable level.
    Edited by Jamiesan at 05/04/11 @ 15:50

  • tossum #70 1 year ago

    "there are only a handful of people who have actually gone into stores to request a refund"
    Must be bloody small people.
    Or a very big hand.

  • kangarootoo #71 1 year ago

    @KrazyFace

    "I did used to suffer from sivere migranes and have to keep a check on my caffine intake now (also red wine and cheese!)"

    Are those the things that set migraines off? Christ, if I ever start suffering from them, my life may as well be over.


    Of the 9 or so people that I know who've tried one, perhaps a touch under half suffered some sort of what I shall drmatically call "eye craziness" (not sure anyone got a headache, though the word "ill" was used a couple of times). This is purely anecdotal of course, so make of it what you will. I should mention that neither of the owners suffered any ill effects, which is fortunate for them. Neither did I. I think everyone was trying it out in a bright artificially lit office - don't know if that is a factor or not.

    Glasses or contact lenses seem on the face of things to be an issue (not a cause themselves necessarily, but most of the sufferers wore them), though I'm not being very scientific about that observation. I had my eyes lasered a fair few years ago, and have never suffered ill effects with any kind of 3D (though whether I would have in my glasses/contacts wearing days is something I'll never know).

  • mercelous #72 1 year ago

    I too suffer from dizziness and sickness if I play my 3DS for a long time but in short bursts I'm ok. The sickness I suffer is exactly the same as when I play FPS games. All other games I'm fine. It is a well known condition that lots of people suffer with all in various ways. Take FPS games for example., It is to do with your brain thinking that you are that person on screen and because your brain doesn't have a character to look at only your arm with a gun your brain is over compensating, in other words it's working double time which gives you the sickness feeling. It's best to read up on the net about it. I would not return my 3DS as I think it is an amazing piece of kit. The other thing I worry about is if people are reacting this bad to 3D on such a small screen what is going to happen if glassesless 3D tv's become a reality. Having such a big screen how sick will everyone become then. This is why I believe that 3D will never be a huge hit but I think it will on hand helds and cinema.

  • dirtysteve #73 1 year ago

    Also, The Sun
    [link url=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F_6ULFOOGmI/SedMJdqrFaI/AAAAAAAAA-4/dwf8fpP8FBc/s1600-h/225px-Hillsborough_disaster_Sun.jpg
    ]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F_6ULFOOGmI/Se...[/link]
    I know this article is nominally about the 3DS, but let's face it, we spend entirely too much time defending our hobby to shoddy newspapers who don't really care beyond selling hate.

  • kangarootoo #74 1 year ago

    @mercelous

    That FPS thing you are describing is a form of motion sickness called called simulation sickness (you may well have known that).

    [link url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_sickness
    ]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_sick...[/link]

    From the description, it does sound as though 3D could exacerbate the condition.


    Its an interesting subject as you say. The article I linked to divides conditions into "motion that is felt but not seen" and "motion that is seen but not felt" (simulation sickness obviously being the latter).

    I wonder if any of the suggested cures could help people suffering when viewing a 3DS. Any guinea pigs want to try them and report back? :)


    Edit: interesting point at the end of that article. Psychogenic effects (i.e. the effect of sickness being magnified by thinking about it).
    Edited by kangarootoo at 05/04/11 @ 16:36

  • andywilkie35 #75 1 year ago

    Sorry mate, went a bit Kay Burley there myself, consider it deleted.

  • Shadders #76 1 year ago

    I hate the Sun and all who read it, I wish you all the most painful and excruciating of deaths.

  • kinky_mong #77 1 year ago

    Too busy filling your diary with the anniversaries of footballer's parent's deaths weren't you Kay Burley?!

  • rudedudejude #78 1 year ago

    haha, BBC news have picked this story up, ffs.

    The quality of news reporting in this country is bloody awful

  • kangarootoo #79 1 year ago

    @andywilkie35

    :)

  • kangarootoo #80 1 year ago

    @andywilkie35

    I just went off to find out more, and ended up reading a wiki page about Kate Burley.

    The summary of my findings - angry idiot :)

  • Scopeh #81 1 year ago

    Good old Robert Purchese reporting about nothing as usual.

  • rotsujin #82 1 year ago

    Considering the high buyback price, wouldn't people be trading it in instead of going through the hassle of trying to return it?

  • plastickitty #83 1 year ago

    mines going back 2moro as the external camera is buggered :( It's not the same playing face raiders on a black screen. Oh well I'll swap it over for another one but I'm more annoyed at the fact of having to start the street pass quest from the beginning. Annoyingly there's an option for a system transfer but like most other things on the 3ds...it is unavailable until a future update

  • Lucodeath #84 1 year ago

    I get dizzy spells an the shakes if I havent shot some aliens for a couple of hours on a console.

  • superdelphinus #85 1 year ago

    Retailers in denying product they are desperately trying to sell might make you feel sick shocker.

    Interesting interpretation of the law from Game there too

  • DrStrangelove #86 1 year ago

    So where did The Sun pull "thousands" from, then?

    If The Sun is anything like Germany's tabloids, then the answer is as simple as it is obvious: they made it up.

    I think none of that tabloid disinformation should get any attention. It is completely irrelevant.

  • BonzoBanana #87 1 year ago

    Looks like Nintendo have stuck an alka-seltzer above the D pad if anyone get's a headache anyway. Which seems very considerate and forward thinking of them.

  • bemaniac #88 1 year ago

    Played for hours solid and no effect on my eyes. I'm comfortable viewing the 3D now that I see it as normal. Same with my partner and anyone and everyone I've allowed to play with it at work. If anything the effect the 3d has when I let people play it for 30mins a time is that they say they must buy one now!

  • Machiavellian #89 1 year ago

    Well, I played SSFIV on the 3ds at Gamestop and I must say that the 3D effect did cause me a headache. I know you can turn it off but it really doesn't make any sense for me to purchase something at the 3DS price range and cannot use one of the main features. Also turning down the slider did not help that much.

    turning if off works and below 50% seem to work as well but at that level, I barely notice the 3D effect.
    Since Graphics do not sell Nintendo consoles or handhelds, if this headache problem persist for a lot of people, I cannot see a very large amount of people getting the 3DS unless the games are awesome and even then probably could wait for a price drop.

  • gudnikristinn #90 1 year ago

    I have put around 6-8 hours into Pilotwings resort and i have yet to feel any discomfort.

  • Marshall2008 #91 1 year ago

    If you bought a product and when using it in the correct manor it gave you a headache, said product would not be fit for the purpose which you bought it for. You would be within your rights for a refund. It would be up to the retailer to prove otherwise. The refund would need to be applied for within the first 28 days.

    As to a 3D product giving you a headache? Of course it can, you are producing a 3D effect in a 2D plane which causes your eyes to work in an un-natural way. This effects each individual differently, some will suffer with discomfort more than others. I would imagine that the long term effects could be rather severe for anyone who uses 3D products all of the time but most users will only play/watch 3D in short bursts. The key is rest, as 3D works the eye muscles in an incorrect fashion as much rest as possible is recommended. When you take a break try to look outside and focus on objects in the distance.

    As for the Suns article it is their usual way of blowing things out of proportion.
    Edited by Marshall2008 at 06/04/11 @ 00:09

  • SpaceMonkey77 #92 1 year ago

    Nintendo had better pray that they don't regret taking 3DS, down such a 3D route. A few court cases might hurt them.

    Next time, leave the gimmicks out of it.

  • alcides #93 1 year ago

    I wouldn't wipe my ass with the Sun. Why would people give any credit to that kind of report? (I believe that's where the controversy comes from)

  • kangarootoo #94 1 year ago

    @Marshall2008

    "If you bought a product and when using it in the correct manor it gave you a headache, said product would not be fit for the purpose which you bought it for. You would be within your rights for a refund. It would be up to the retailer to prove otherwise. The refund would need to be applied for within the first 28 days."

    Not true unfortunately. The sale of goods act makes specific reference to products that "make you feel unwell", and that is not grounds for a refund. The refund can only be obtained if the goods are technically faulty in some way.

    A 3D games console that runs games in 3D is "fit for purpose". That it makes some people ill doesn't change that, and the legilation is specific on that note.

  • BonzoBanana #95 1 year ago

    People should certainly have the right to return a 3DS if it gives them headaches as its the main feature of the console. Just because you can use the slider to turn off the 3D doesn't mean you should accept it when you've bought it for the 3D feature. Seems like the law is weak in this regard.

    I'm pretty sure there are people that struggle with some other forms of 3D like anaglyph, either not working for them or uncomfortable.

    When you think about the distance between people's eyes does vary a bit so the 3D effect would need to variable anyway. Maybe some people get the full 3D effect when the 3D isn't at maximum and by setting it too high are forcing their eyes to adjust too much.

  • KrazyFace #96 1 year ago

    @kangarootoo

    LOL Umm, I think it's different for everyone really, I guess it's a brain chemical balance thing regarding specific foods (with me), but I did notice a few years back in my place of work, I was getting strange headaches. I say "headaches" in this case because they would only last as long as my shift, where as one of my migranes could last a constant 3 or 4 days. After going to the jolly eye-doctor and having my eyes tested I was told there was nothing wrong with them, above average for my age infact! In the end, it turned out that it was the frequency of the strip-light at work! I've NEVER been so impressed with changing a bulb!!!

    So, it could be a case of the fequency of my eyes and the 3DS's conflicting perhaps!? Or maybe I'm just thinking too much about it....