Here's how long you should play video games in VR

We all want to jump into VR and stay as long as we can. From taking a rocket to the moon or playing your favorite games, there are countless experiences that could suck you in before you realize how much time has passed. Staying in VR for too long can have some consequences, so it's worth it to know how long you can stay in VR before you jump on it. So before you lose yourself in your HTC Vive or Oculus Rift make sure you know how long in VR is too long.

Be Prepared

Before you go loading up your favorite game on your Oculus Rift you'll want to make sure you are ready to spend some time in VR. This means ensuring that you've got a decent charge on your phone, getting comfortable in a swivel chair, and tossing on a pair of headphones.

Likewise, you'll also want to double check that the intensity rating on the app you plan on playing is within your comfort threshold. Certain games can cause motion sickness and the like, so be prepared before you start playing. While you could just wing it, nobody wants to be that guy. Trust me.

Don't push your limits

Here are some helpful tips on extended VR sessions:

Take a break

An easy way to make sure that you don't end up tiring out your eyes or with a leg cramp is to take regular breaks. A solid bet is to play for an hour, and then take fifteen minutes off to rest and move around. This also lets you hydrate since using your VR headset can easily work up a sweat. Realistically after an hour straight of Fallout 4 VR, you definitely need to at least drink some water if you don't want to fall out.

Keep track of how much physical work you're doing

Different apps require different amounts of activity. Just like not everybody will get sick during a high-intensity app, not everybody can play for hours at a time without taking a break. Listen to what your body is telling you. If your eyes are getting tired, or you're becoming a sweaty mess, then it's time to take a step away from VR and return to the physical world.

Don't get lost in the fun

There are already reports of people playing for 48 hours straight, so while it's possible to stay plugged into VR for a seriously extended amount of time it's probably not a great idea. Know your personal limits. Make sure to take breaks for food, water, and other necessities. The most important thing, of course, is just to go ahead and have fun.

How long do you usually play VR for?

VR

Have you set a personal limit for yourself? Tell us in the comment section below how long you usually play VR for and how you battle the repercussions of playing for too long!

Essa Kidwell

Essa Kidwell is an expert in all things VR and mobile devices who can always be found with an Oculus Go, a Pixel 2, and an iPhone 7+. They've been taking things apart just to put them back together for quite some time. If you've got a troubleshooting issue with any of your tech, they're the one you want to go to! Find them on Twitter @OriginalSluggo or Instagram @CosmeticChronus.