Random Headaches When Playing

[Rybka]

So I've been playing Planetside 2 for quite a while, I've noticed that whenever I end a 1-2 hour session, I get a headache. The headache eventually goes away, but I find it unpleasant to say the least. This has never happened in any other FPS, RPG, or MMO, so I'm confused to why this is happening. If any of you PSU members can give a conjecture/hypothesis of why this is happening, I'd greatly appreciate it!

[Ghost Runner]

Check you monitor refresh rate? play a similar game for 1-2 hours make sure you dont have a sinus infection going on?

[Brusi]

Perhaps it's because you are dehydrated?

Drink a glass of water.

[Canaris]

you wearing headphones or using speakers?

[camycamera]

check the FOV?

[Figment]

you wearing headphones or using speakers?

Headphones have caused headaches or slight irritations for me before after long sessions. Something else that caused headaches for me was playing without glasses on or if they had a slightly wrong strength (tired the eyes too much).

But yeah I would definitely check the ergonomics of your setup first. Seating position, distance to screen, screen height and simply take short breaks now and then (ideally a couple minutes every hour). You can also see if the brightness of the screen or some other visual setting might be causing this.

Check this perhaps?
http://cinemedia-mac.com/questions-about-migraine-headaches/headache-from-video-games.html

[NewSith]

Turn motion blur off.

My head always aches in almost any game with Motion Blur when motion blur is on.

[Algo]

Disable screenshake and bloom it will help a lot.

oh wait

[Emperor Newt]

So I've been playing Planetside 2 for quite a while, I've noticed that whenever I end a 1-2 hour session, I get a headache. The headache eventually goes away, but I find it unpleasant to say the least. This has never happened in any other FPS, RPG, or MMO, so I'm confused to why this is happening. If any of you PSU members can give a conjecture/hypothesis of why this is happening, I'd greatly appreciate it!

It can have a lot of different reasons, most likely it's a combination of several. Sadly PS2 lacks the option to disable/change most of the usual values that might cause this.

Increase your FoV to something around 90. But be aware that PS2 uses the same stupid values BF:BC2 did so you have use this:
http://www.rjdown.co.uk/projects/bfbc2/fovcalculator.php
to calculate your FoV value

Also blur and bloom effects can often lead to headaces so disabling blur might help.

Also a lot of these iussues come from the head bob/shakeing during running or normal walking animation as your brain tries to understand a movement that is not happening.
It happens in many FPS for people with "gaming" sickness but for some strange reason SoE did not deem it necessary to implement a "disable head bob" option within the game or ini files. There have been threads about this during beta but no one at SoE has answered them or picked up on any twitter request. It just seems to me that they don't give a f* about people having problems with this. And those aren't just a few.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaming_sickness#Simulation_sickness

[JesNC]

The easiest solution would be to drop the game completely. But that's not going to cut it ;)

If all of the above doesn't help, try taking breaks every 30 mins to rest your eyes and keep your circulation up.

Then, if you still suffer from headaches, try to make a list: Write down when they start(after x hours of gameplay), time of day, hours of sleep last night, intensity of the pain, duration etc.

If you notice a pattern, see if you can change something to make it better.

If you notice an increase in pain or duration, you should go and see a neurologist immediately. Just to be safe. Also see a doctor if funny colours or shapes appear in your vision.

[VikingKong]

check the FOV?
^ What he said. Low FOVs can cause headaches for a lot of people. Mine's maxed.

[Mox]

I would take a painkiller.