Click to Skip Ad
Closing in...

Samsung’s massive list of possible Gear VR side effects should terrify any sane gamer

Published Dec 9th, 2014 8:20AM EST
Samsung Gear VR Side Effects

If you buy through a BGR link, we may earn an affiliate commission, helping support our expert product labs.

You know how when you watch ads for drugs like Flomax or Cialis and it seems like the vast majority of the ad is dedicated to listing possible negative side effects? Well it looks like Samsung’s Gear VR headset is a lot like that because Ars Technica reports that it comes with a gigantic 1,000-word list of potential hazards and disclaimers that should send any sane gamer running for the hills.

RELATED: Samsung’s Gear VR reportedly starts overheating on your head after 25 minutes of use

Samsung recommends that no one should use the Gear VR for more than 30 minutes at a time without taking a break of at least 10 minutes and that no one under the age of 13 should be allowed to use the device.

Furthermore, Samsung says you should stop using the device if you experience “seizures, loss of awareness, eye strain, eye or muscle twitching, involuntary movements, altered, blurred, or double vision or other visual abnormalities, dizziness, disorientation, impaired balance, impaired hand-eye coordination, excessive sweating, increased salivation, nausea, light-headedness, discomfort or pain in the head or eyes, drowsiness, fatigue, or any symptoms similar to motion sickness.”

And that’s not all.

Samsung also says that “prolonged use of the Gear VR and input devices (e.g. controllers) can make your muscles, joints, or skin hurt” and it says that such use can also lead to “excessive drowsiness and decreased ability to multi-task.” What’s more, Samsung says you shouldn’t operate any heavy machinery after using the Gear VR or engage in any physically demanding activities until any negative side effects go away.

And that’s still not all.

Samsung says that no one should use the Gear VR “when you are tired, need sleep, are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, are hung-over, have digestive problems, are under emotional stress or anxiety, or when suffering from cold, flu, headaches, migraines, or earaches, as this can increase your susceptibility to adverse symptoms.”

But other than that, it sounds like a fun device, right?

Check out even more possible side effects in Ars Technica’s report at the source link below.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.