Game's Visual Style Gave Me A Migraine And I Lost My Vision for A Few Hours

[St_Winter]

Actually, my doctors are now thinking that it's a tension headache (ocular migraine) right behind the eyes that causes vision loss but either way. I only played this game for 2 hours with my friends and it immediately triggered a migraine and I started to lose sight, everything in the center started to blend and then it was fuzzy mess. Something to do with the style and look of the game, my brain doesn't agree with. Then I was up and down for hours sick to my stomach all night. Still feeling pretty rough today but overall better.

I just figure I'd give someone a fair warning to look out for. I don't think I'll be able to give the game another shot just because of how sudden and intense it was. Sucks because I actually liked it quite a bit.

UPDATE

Again, yes, I do have pre-existing medical issues. The game's visual style did cause this because of the strain it had on my eyes or brain, or however you'd put it. I am fully aware of my health issues. The point of the post was to give anyone with similar stuff a fair warning before putting in a long play session.

UPDATE UPDATE

Before commenting and being hostile or troll, actually read what I said or ♥♥♥♥ off. It's ridiculous I have to say this, though it's not my first time being on the internet, but still. Some people actually need to use critical thinking, social skills, or just simple skills of reading thoroughly. Jesus...

[Block Turble]

I can't be certain they're related but I think existing factors coupled with the strain of looking at a dark low-bit themed game triggered it possibly yes

[Block Turble]

consider turning your gamma up. (larger monitor helps alot btw)

[Watermelon Man]

This definitely sounds like a deeper medical issue, you should probably have it checked out before you play again.

[rexton]

A large publisher would not allow a this game to be such an eyesore for accessibility and liability reasons.

[AFFM]

Sounds exactly like what I've experienced a few times. Eye doctor said it was an ocular migraine, and all information I've read since then sounds exactly right.

For me, I noticed poor room lighting triggers it easily. Looking at a bright monitor in dark room for example.

One of the things to trigger it the most has been a light reflecting off the monitor. As an example, a lamp behind me on the other end of the room. I suspect the reflection on the monitor (even if I don't actively notice it, and it doesn't bother me) causes issues with focusing on the screen and triggers the problem.

I've never personally had an issue with an art style causing issues... but perhaps your brain is trying to compensate for the low-res/blurry style of the game and not being able to adjust (since that's just how the image is.) One thing that COULD help is sitting further back from the monitor. Having other stuff in your peripheral vision could help as an "anchor point."

[StarCaster]

Someone else mentioned it, but it's an ocular migraine. I get those a lot, and that vision loss goes away right before the migraine pain starts. I can definitely see how this game could trigger that; just try and stay hydrated as much as you can and if you notice the vision loss starting in the corner of your eyes or center of your vision stop immediately and take medicine early if you deem it appropriate.

[St_Winter]

Originally posted by Block Turble:

consider turning your gamma up. (larger monitor helps alot btw)

I have already have a large monitor and I was in a well lit room. Doing anything in a dark room with bright light does give me a headache. Normally, there is a multitude of factors that can cause it but also, there are a few things that alone can. The visuals were already an issue as I played but thought I could look over it. I did leave it dark as recommended however, which could have added to the strain. Either way, I just figured I should say something just in case.

[St_Winter]

Originally posted by Watermelon Man:

This definitely sounds like a deeper medical issue, you should probably have it checked out before you play again.

I already have. I have medicine that I am suppose to take. Glasses that I need to wear when writing or reading to reduce strain. I'm also suppose to wear sunglasses every time I'm outside. I do have gut health issues as well but I just went through a thing this past week to help it and I actually have been feeling so much better since like the last 2 years. So, I didn't think it had anything to do with that. The visuals were a problem from the get go but I thought I could tough it out. I was thinking that I was thinking too much into it but then out of the blue, triggered this episode almost like a switch.

[St_Winter]

Originally posted by A Fancy Fridge Magnet:

Sounds exactly like what I've experienced a few times. Eye doctor said it was an ocular migraine, and all information I've read since then sounds exactly right.

For me, I noticed poor room lighting triggers it easily. Looking at a bright monitor in dark room for example.

One of the things to trigger it the most has been a light reflecting off the monitor. As an example, a lamp behind me on the other end of the room. I suspect the reflection on the monitor (even if I don't actively notice it, and it doesn't bother me) causes issues with focusing on the screen and triggers the problem.

I've never personally had an issue with an art style causing issues... but perhaps your brain is trying to compensate for the low-res/blurry style of the game and not being able to adjust (since that's just how the image is.) One thing that COULD help is sitting further back from the monitor. Having other stuff in your peripheral vision could help as an "anchor point."

This is what I have too, though my doctors use tension headaches as almost interchangeably because of were the tension headache starts. But yes. I had to have a light on some where in the room. No reflections whatsoever. One of the things the docs have said in the possible cause is that one eye is over compensate for the other but also, like when reading, the high contrast between black and white can cause eye issues as well. So, wearing special glasses help or just completely changing the color scheme. I'm a writer, artist, and I also work in networking. So, as I write, I have to completely change the color themes if I'm going to write for a long time. If I paint, I have to start with either a cool color as the background or a dark grey, if I'm doing a digital painting. Working with putty, I had to completely change the theme into cool colors that were fairly close to keep my eyes from getting all messed up. Steam is actually perfect for the most part but looking at something like Facebook messenger, the contrast between the font and background will mess with me if I look at it too long.

If you are interested, I actually painted (sort of) the colors that I see over a picture I could. It's what I used to show my doctor. It might help you.

[St_Winter]

Originally posted by StarCaster:

Someone else mentioned it, but it's an ocular migraine. I get those a lot, and that vision loss goes away right before the migraine pain starts. I can definitely see how this game could trigger that; just try and stay hydrated as much as you can and if you notice the vision loss starting in the corner of your eyes or center of your vision stop immediately and take medicine early if you deem it appropriate.

Like I replied above, I also have occular migraines. But docs also call it a tension headache, but I do need to correct it on my post. Once I get vision issues, it's pretty much over at that point. But normally I can feel it coming before it gets there. I take Excedrin Tension Headaches. It's what was recommended to me and anything the doctors gave me did nothing compared to that. It literally halts it at the moment you take it. Still having to deal with what currently is going on but it doesn't get worse and goes away faster with sleep. Try that and see if it helps.

Like my other reply, I've painted over a picture to show my doctor what I see, if you want it if you think it's helpful to you. I can maybe upload it to steam as artwork and then share it here.

[Sysity]

I don't get anything nearly that bad. But I do get motion sickness from some games and eye strain from others. I launched this game to play with friends and it took me all of 20 seconds for my eyes to begin to ache. The low light and low graphics are one thing, not normally an issue for me. But the constant camera movement with no way to disable it probably contributes to your issue as well. People who aren't sensitive to it tend to not even notice. For those of us that it bothers, it doesn't take long and doesn't take much unwanted camera motion to trigger eye strain and headaches in a hurry.

[St_Winter]

Originally posted by Sysity:

I don't get anything nearly that bad. But I do get motion sickness from some games and eye strain from others. I launched this game to play with friends and it took me all of 20 seconds for my eyes to begin to ache. The low light and low graphics are one thing, not normally an issue for me. But the constant camera movement with no way to disable it probably contributes to your issue as well. People who aren't sensitive to it tend to not even notice. For those of us that it bothers, it doesn't take long and doesn't take much unwanted camera motion to trigger eye strain and headaches in a hurry.

Right. That's the first I do when I get a new game. I turn off all motion blur, camera shake, and bobbing. lol. I can't handle it. It doesn't even look good, I don't know why anyone would want it in the first place.

[St_Winter]

https://steamcommunity.com/id/wint3r/images/

I uploaded the picture that I said I would,.

[Mageever]

Originally posted by A Fancy Fridge Magnet:

Sounds exactly like what I've experienced a few times. Eye doctor said it was an ocular migraine, and all information I've read since then sounds exactly right.

For me, I noticed poor room lighting triggers it easily. Looking at a bright monitor in dark room for example.

One of the things to trigger it the most has been a light reflecting off the monitor. As an example, a lamp behind me on the other end of the room. I suspect the reflection on the monitor (even if I don't actively notice it, and it doesn't bother me) causes issues with focusing on the screen and triggers the problem.

I've never personally had an issue with an art style causing issues... but perhaps your brain is trying to compensate for the low-res/blurry style of the game and not being able to adjust (since that's just how the image is.) One thing that COULD help is sitting further back from the monitor. Having other stuff in your peripheral vision could help as an "anchor point."

I've had the luck to never have it set in, but I've noticed a similar think with screen reflections and getting a non-reflective monitor and making sure I don't have a bright backdrop has solved a lot of eye strain and headaches. Always stopped short of a migraine, but I've gotten close.

Game's felt great on my eyes, though. Could just be that my setup is pretty light-safe.

[Oni-Lyrics]

yea no this didnt happen lol nice try