20-05-2005 02:15									#1
	Games and health. Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

Okay, so I didnt actually get sick from gaming.

I DID get really into playing EU2, getting into the whole play for hours at a time thing, that I hadnt done in a couple of years, it seems. Since I got over my Civ2 addiction.

Not long after that I got a sinus infection - unrelated of course. But somehow it made even thinking about the hours spent at a PC, (on a non-ergonomic chair, im afraid) seem offputting, the way certain foods are offputting when youre sick. I went 3 weeks without touching a game, though I still used a PC at work.

Ive gone back to EU2, but for no more than an hour at a time or so. I really am more conscious that this is not something I want to do to my body.

Aside from wanting more exercise, Id also like to spend less of my passive relaxation time in a position thats so hard on back, eyes, etc.

Im not convinced to go become a Console player - (I cant think of any console games id prefer to reading) But I am thinking that as time goes on I might want to game on a laptop, that I can take to the couch, outside (but not on pollen season), etc.


How do y'all deal with these issues? Laptops? Ergonomic chairs? Consoles? Limits on gaming time?

	20-05-2005 02:40									#2
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My gaming rig has been a laptop since 1999, and I have never found a position more convenient than a straight table and chair.

This comes probably from the fact that my two laptops have been Dells, and Dells have heat issues. It's quickly very hot when you have the computer on your knees, and I don't want the comp to damage my bed's sheets or the couch.

Also, the laptop ersatzs for the mouse are really terrible for gaming. I have donce several Civ3 hours with the touchpad, and it's infinetely inferior to playing with the mouse.
Finally, when you seat on the ground, with the laptop on the ground, the position is much less comfortable than when you're sitting in front of a table. It's even worse for your back. Also, when you are lying on the ground / on the bed, you have to extend your arms to reach the controls, and you have to keep your head up to see the screen. During game marathons, it uickly becomes a taxing positon

In short: get a better chair

	20-05-2005 03:28									#3
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

As an oldish timer i'd also add a good chair is a must - and you dont have to go for all the spaceage looking things either. Just something with good back support( i find i like to use a solid cushion to help me not slouch, i put it in the small of my back.) and arm rests on level with the desk surface i'll be using the mouse on.

But i'd also recomend going with your gut feeling of wanting more exercise. Keep yourself in good physical shape with regular exercise and you'll probably avoid the worst complaints of long time computer use.

And if it helps, i have to spend less time on a console because it encourages you to flop all over the place, something a good pc chair will not

I find proped up on the sofa i can manage about 8hrs in a sitting on my consoles max.

On the PC my last big session was 12hrs, but i could have gone on for longer if my gf hadn't pulled me away.

	20-05-2005 05:27									#4
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I'm not much into the exercise thing, mostly because it would waste a precious time that I could use for playing.

	20-05-2005 17:42									#5
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... or, you can combine exercise and computer gaming. I have a treadmill in the basement with an old PC sitting in front of it. The keyboard fits nicely on the treadmill control shelf, and there's a little rectangular depression where my trackball can sit when I'm not holding it. The computer is too old for the kids' games, but it works fine for Civ II, MoM, MoO, etc.

	20-05-2005 21:07									#6
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quote: Originally posted by Spiffor My gaming rig has been a laptop since 1999, and I have never found a position more convenient than a straight table and chair. This comes probably from the fact that my two laptops have been Dells, and Dells have heat issues. It's quickly very hot when you have the computer on your knees, and I don't want the comp to damage my bed's sheets or the couch. Also, the laptop ersatzs for the mouse are really terrible for gaming. I have donce several Civ3 hours with the touchpad, and it's infinetely inferior to playing with the mouse. Finally, when you seat on the ground, with the laptop on the ground, the position is much less comfortable than when you're sitting in front of a table. It's even worse for your back. Also, when you are lying on the ground / on the bed, you have to extend your arms to reach the controls, and you have to keep your head up to see the screen. During game marathons, it uickly becomes a taxing positon In short: get a better chair

Good points Spiff, maybe a laptop wouldnt be the solution. (though for outdoor use i wasnt thinking on the ground, but on the picnic table we have in the backyard, or perhaps at an outdoor cafe - this aint Paris, but almost every suburban Starbucks has tables outside)

	20-05-2005 21:09									#7
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quote: Originally posted by child of Thor As an oldish timer i'd also add a good chair is a must - and you dont have to go for all the spaceage looking things either. Just something with good back support( i find i like to use a solid cushion to help me not slouch, i put it in the small of my back.) and arm rests on level with the desk surface i'll be using the mouse on. But i'd also recomend going with your gut feeling of wanting more exercise. Keep yourself in good physical shape with regular exercise and you'll probably avoid the worst complaints of long time computer use. And if it helps, i have to spend less time on a console because it encourages you to flop all over the place, something a good pc chair will not I find proped up on the sofa i can manage about 8hrs in a sitting on my consoles max. On the PC my last big session was 12hrs, but i could have gone on for longer if my gf hadn't pulled me away.

12 hours!!!!!! You must have a great chair, or be in better shape than me. Im thinking these days that 90 minutes is about as much as can stand. Or maybe my games just arent as absorbing

	20-05-2005 22:39									#8
	Lose 30 kilos (of popups)

I've gamed for some outrageously long sessions, and I'm still fine, hic.

	21-05-2005 02:09									#9
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quote: Originally posted by DrSpike I've gamed for some outrageously long sessions, and I'm still fine, hic.

Yah, but youre a hardcore gamer, dude

	21-05-2005 02:11									#10
	Get a bigger avatar today!

another question: some have said consoles are easier - but if you were using a console for strategy game like EU2, where you had to read small things on the screen, wouldnt you still be in the same situation?

	21-05-2005 22:45									#11
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You sound like you want a console !

When i first got my xbox i was using it on a portable tv in the bedroom! Action games were fine, but anything that required a bit of reading(like Morrowind for example) was very uncomfortable; the xbox quickly moved to the big tv and out the bedroom, and the text is fine to read now.

Still for long gaming sessions i find the upright armchair i use to be much more comfortable than the couch in the living room when using the xbox.

Sure its more relaxing and less effort to flop down in front of a console(while being fed pizza because the effort is too much ), but after a shorter period of time you will notice you back/arms feeling the rigours of that 'relaxed' gaming position.

I just find a good chair with padding/cushions in the right place that encourages you to sit up straight, much better for my well being - and its enabled me to do the odd +20hr marathon gaming sessions

	21-05-2005 23:03									#12
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Get a real gaming platform, ie the Xbox/360. Then you can play from your couch.

	22-05-2005 10:09									#13
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Look for a stim-pack.

	22-05-2005 11:22									#14
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization 2

I had a cordless keyboard and mouse when I used to play Civ 2 much more then I do now, and used to sit on my couch with my Monitor on the desk next to the couch, it worked well, though I didn't have a great surface for the mouse, a trackball would have worked better for that I guess.

Now I no longer have the cordless keyboard and mouse, and like LotM, I am quite addicted to EU2 so I spend long hours at my computer in a chair that is not as comfortable as I would like

* Sparrowhawk

	22-05-2005 11:25									#15
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Civ has been linked to an increase in the divorce rate. Bug or feature?

	22-05-2005 14:39									#16
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The clear answer is to not get married just before a new Civ game is released.

	22-05-2005 15:11									#17
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Or after.

	22-05-2005 16:44									#18
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But then who is going to bring food from the kitchen to your computer so you actually still remember to eat? For those of us no longer living with our parent, this poses a real problem.

	22-05-2005 17:21									#19
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Living 'in sin' with your girlfriend solves both problems.

	22-05-2005 18:46									#20
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

quote: Originally posted by lord of the mark Yah, but youre a hardcore gamer, dude

Nah...he's a hardcore poster. I still lack evidence to the fact that he should be a harecore gamer

Asmodean

	22-05-2005 19:00									#21
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What would you like me to provide?

	22-05-2005 19:21									#22
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quote: Originally posted by DrSpike Living 'in sin' with your girlfriend solves both problems.

QFT

And I even quoted it this time.

	22-05-2005 19:38									#23
	Put an end to popups!

That does help.

	22-05-2005 23:25									#24
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QFT

	23-05-2005 03:35									#25
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quote: Originally posted by DrSpike What would you like me to provide?

Nothing - it was just a reference to the fact that you post so much, that one wonders when you have time to game

Asmodean

	23-05-2005 03:39									#26
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I actually only spend about 30 minutes per weekday here, more at weekends.

	23-05-2005 10:42									#27
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Yeah, I remember when I had a laptop, and was searching for a proper position that was as comfortable as sitting down.

	23-05-2005 12:09									#28
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Did you try sitting down?

	23-05-2005 12:42									#29
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No, that's a brilliant suggestion!

	23-05-2005 14:38									#30
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

I have never gotten sick while gaming (or posting). Unless you consider falling out of shape- sick. But I would have fallen out of shape one way or another. Anyways I'm back on the stair stepper twice a week. I know I should do 3 times a week, I just don't want to.

desktop form me, so I'm not in a weird position. Well maybe I am. I like to put my feet up. So I usually have my chair turned to the side, with my feet resting on the shelf of my desk cabinet. Sometimes my legs are straight, sometimes I have my knees bent. so my body is turned to the left, but my head of course has to look straight at the monitor. But I really don't have any neck problems to speak of. Well I do, but that was more the result of a rear end collision a couple of years ago. I should have sued the guy for hitting me. That hurt like hell.