Simulator sickness in virtual display gaming

Abstract

In this paper we compare simulator sickness symptoms produced by racing game in three different conditions. In the first experiment the participants played the Need for Speed car racing game with an ordinary 17" display and in the second and third experiments they used a head-worn virtual display for the game playing. The difference between experiments 2 and 3 was in the use of stereoscopy, as in the third experiment the car racing game was seen in stereoscopic three-dimensions. Our results indicated that there were no significant differences in sickness symptoms when we compared the ordinary display and the virtual display in non-stereoscopic mode. In stereoscopic condition the eye strain and disorientation symptoms were significantly elevated compared to the ordinary display. We conclude that using a virtual display as an accessory in a mobile device is a viable alternative, because the non-stereoscopic virtual display did not produce significantly more sickness symptoms compared to ordinary game playing.